International Picnic Day (June 18)
There’s something timeless about spreading out a blanket and enjoying a simple meal under the sky. International Picnic Day celebrates that easygoing joy, good food, fresh air, and shared moments.
Whether you’re packing a basket for the park, beach, or backyard, this holiday encourages everyone to pause and appreciate the beauty of outdoor dining.
It’s a reminder that some of life’s best memories come with a side of sunshine and sandwiches. One of many weird holidays in June.
When is the Holiday?
International Picnic Day is celebrated annually on June 18.
Who Invented It?
There’s no official founder, but the tradition of picnicking has been around for centuries. It emerged as a way to celebrate this enduring cultural practice, gradually becoming more recognized in community events and on social media.
The History of the Holiday
The term “picnic” likely comes from the French word pique-nique, used in the 17th century to describe informal meals shared outdoors.
By the 19th century, picnics became a fashionable pastime among the middle class, especially in England and France.
As leisure time and access to public parks expanded, so did the popularity of outdoor dining.
The holiday builds on that history by encouraging people everywhere to step outside and enjoy a meal in nature.
Top 5 Facts About the Holiday
Picnics were once banned in France. In the early 1800s, large public gatherings—including picnics—were prohibited in Paris due to concerns about revolutionary activity.
The Guinness World Record for the largest picnic was set in Portugal in 2009, where over 22,000 people gathered for one giant outdoor meal.
Queen Victoria helped popularize picnics in the UK, often hosting elaborate meals outdoors during her summer retreats in Scotland.
The largest teddy bear picnic ever recorded had over 33,000 participants, including kids and their stuffed animals, at an event in Dublin in 2000.
Jane Austen’s Emma features a disastrous picnic. The Box Hill scene is one of literature’s most awkward outdoor meals, showing even picnics can go off-script.
Activities to Celebrate
Create a mini backyard picnic with kids, complete with juice boxes and teddy bears.
Host a themed picnic (retro, Italian, plant-based, etc.) with decor and food to match.
Try a sunrise breakfast picnic to beat the heat and enjoy a quiet start to the day.
Bring a book or board game and make your picnic a screen-free zone.
Organize a potluck with friends or neighbors where everyone brings a dish to share.
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Links to Resources
Wicker Picnic Basket – This classic wicker basket includes an insulated cooler compartment, waterproof picnic blanket, and full cutlery set—ideal for a romantic or small-group picnic.
Extra Large Picnic Outdoor Blanket, 80”x60” – A spacious, waterproof, and foldable blanket that’s perfect for beach outings, camping, or park picnics.
60qt Wheeled Portable Cooler – This wheeled cooler offers excellent ice retention and is great for camping, tailgating, or beach trips.
Picnic Backpack for 4 Person – A comprehensive picnic backpack set that includes an insulated cooler bag, wine pouch, waterproof blanket, and cutlery—perfect for group outings.
Related Holidays
National Cheese Day (June 4) is perfect for building a picnic-ready charcuterie board packed with your favorite cheeses and crackers.
National Picnic Day (April 23) offers another chance to roll out a blanket and enjoy a meal outdoors before summer kicks in.
Summer Leisure Day (July 22) encourages slowing down and soaking up the season—ideally with a basket of snacks and some shade.
National BBQ Day (July 4) takes picnicking to grill-level, with smoky favorites that pair perfectly with a day in the park.
Eat Outside Day (August 31) is a last-chance reminder to enjoy outdoor meals before the season changes.
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