National Apricot Day
National Apricot Day is observed on January 9, a chance to enjoy the sweet, sunny-colored fruit in fresh, dried, or cooked form. Whether you already love apricots or have mostly met them in a snack mix, the day offers an easy excuse to discover their flavor and try them in a new way.
How National Apricot Day Started
The exact origin of National Apricot Day is not well documented, so it is best understood as a food observance celebrating apricots rather than a holiday with a clearly recorded founder or beginning. Its simple appeal is easy to understand: apricots are versatile, portable, and at home in everything from breakfast dishes to desserts.
The date is a prompt to appreciate the fruit and the many ways people use it. You can mark the day with a fresh apricot when they are available, or choose dried apricots, preserves, or a dish made with them at another time of year.
A Little About Apricots
Apricots are small stone fruits, related to peaches and plums. Their skin is often golden-orange, sometimes with a rosy blush, and the flesh has a gentle sweetness with a little tang. A large, hard pit sits at the center, so fresh apricots are usually eaten around it rather than whole.
Apricots can be enjoyed fresh, but drying is also a familiar way to preserve them. Dried apricots have a chewier texture and a more concentrated, sweet-tart taste. They are easy to pack for a walk, lunch, or road trip, and they pair well with nuts, cheese, and other dried fruit.
In the kitchen, apricots work in both sweet and savory recipes. They can be stirred into oatmeal, blended into a smoothie, baked into cakes, or cooked into jam. Chopped dried apricots also bring a bright note to grain dishes, salads, and stuffings. Their flavor pairs nicely with ingredients such as almonds, cinnamon, yogurt, and warm spices.
Ways to Celebrate National Apricot Day
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Try an apricot tasting. Compare a fresh apricot with a dried one, or sample a few kinds of dried apricots. Notice how their texture and flavor change.
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Make an easy breakfast. Add sliced apricots to yogurt, oatmeal, or toast with a little honey. Keep the toppings simple so the fruit can shine.
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Cook something new. Stir chopped dried apricots into a salad or rice dish, or spread apricot preserves on a sandwich with cheese.
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Share a homemade treat. Bake muffins or a simple fruit crumble with apricots, then offer some to a neighbor or friend.
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Visit a market. Look for fresh apricots when they are in season, or browse the dried-fruit and preserve selections. Ask a grower or shopkeeper how they like to use them.
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Keep a snack handy. Pack dried apricots for a family outing, pairing them with nuts or crackers for an easy snack.
Last updated October 8, 2026.
When is National Apricot Day?
National Apricot Day: Every year on January 9.
| Year | Date | Day of the week |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | January 9 | Saturday |
| 2028 | January 9 | Sunday |
| 2029 | January 9 | Tuesday |
| 2030 | January 9 | Wednesday |
| 2031 | January 9 | Thursday |
Frequently asked questions
When is National Apricot Day in 2027?
National Apricot Day is on Saturday, January 9, 2027. After that, it falls on Sunday, January 9, 2028. Every year on January 9.
Is National Apricot Day a public holiday?
No. National Apricot Day is an observance, not an official public holiday, so schools and businesses stay open as usual.
