National Popcorn Lovers Day (2nd Thursday in March)

ByClare Brown Updated on
little girl buried in popcorn

National Popcorn Lovers Day, celebrated on the second Thursday of March, is one of those holidays that feels like it was invented for movie nights and cozy afternoons.

Popcorn is one of those snacks that never really goes out of style. It’s cheap, easy, and somehow always feels like a treat, whether it’s dripping in butter, tossed with sugar and cinnamon, or mixed into something sweet and sticky. Most of us probably associate popcorn with theaters, sleepovers, fairs, or family nights on the couch, which is why it feels so comforting.

This weird March holiday is really just an excuse to enjoy popcorn in all its forms, learn a little about where it came from, and turn an ordinary day into something fun.

Hand grabbing popcorn from a clear bowl filled with fluffy popped kernels on a bright red background

When is the Holiday?

It’s celebrated every year on the second Thursday of March, making it a fun mid-month treat just as spring starts to roll in.

Who Invented It?

The exact beginnings of this holiday aren’t well recorded, but it likely started as a way to celebrate popcorn’s place as one of America’s most popular snacks. Considering how often popcorn shows up at movies, sports games, and family gatherings, it’s not surprising it earned a day of its own.

A Little History of Popcorn

Popcorn has been around much longer than movie theaters.

Indigenous peoples in the Americas were popping corn thousands of years ago, long before it became a snack we recognize today. When European settlers arrived, they quickly adopted it as an easy and tasty food. By the late 1800s, popcorn was everywhere at fairs and carnivals.

During the Great Depression, it became even more popular because it was cheap to make and filling. Once movie theaters started selling it, popcorn and entertainment became permanently linked, a tradition that’s still going strong.

Woman relaxing on a couch while enjoying a bowl of freshly popped popcorn

Top 5 Facts About the Holiday

  1. Archaeologists have found popcorn that’s over 5,000 years old.
  2. During the Great Depression, popcorn was one of the few treats many families could still afford.
  3. The largest popcorn ball ever made weighed more than 9,000 pounds, so big it took a whole team to put together.
  4. When kernels pop, they can shoot several feet into the air as steam bursts inside them.
  5. In some ancient cultures, popcorn wasn’t just eaten, it was used in decorations and ceremonial clothing too.

Coloring Page

After learning a little about popcorn’s history, kids can relax and have fun with this popcorn-themed coloring page.

Popcorn Coloring Page
Popcorn Coloring Sheet

Activities to Celebrate

A fun way to celebrate is by turning it into a popcorn tasting night. Try different flavors, sweet, salty, cheesy, spicy, and let everyone pick a favorite.

Movie night and popcorn are basically made for each other. Setting up a simple topping bar with butter, chocolate drizzle, cinnamon sugar, or seasonings makes it feel extra special.

For younger kids, popcorn crafts are always a hit. Stringing popcorn into garlands or making small sculptures turns snack time into something creative.

Person holding a blue bowl of popcorn while watching a movie in a cozy indoor setting

Related Recipes for the Holiday

Smiling movie theater worker holding a large tub of freshly popped popcorn

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Links to Resources

Close-up of sticky caramel-coated popcorn clusters stacked on a plate

Related Holidays

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National Popcorn Lovers Day 2nd Thursday in March