Celebrated on 07/26/2026
National Bagelfest Day is celebrated on July 26th, coinciding with the anniversary of the first bagel being baked in space in 2008. The holiday was created by the founder of the BagelFest food festival in Mattoon, Illinois, where the world's largest bagel was made in 1993, weighing over 800 pounds!
National Bagelfest Day was established in 1993 by the residents of Mattoon, Illinois, to celebrate the bagel and the town's annual BagelFest festival. The festival was created by local baker and businessman, John L. C. (who owned a bagel shop), along with the Mattoon Chamber of Commerce, to boost tourism and community spirit. The first BagelFest featured a giant bagel weighing 868 pounds, earning a spot in the Guinness World Records. The holiday was officially recognized on July 26th to mark the anniversary of that first record-breaking bagel.
Over the years, National Bagelfest Day has grown from a local celebration into a nationwide observance. While the original BagelFest in Mattoon continues with parades, live music, and bagel-eating contests, the day is now widely celebrated across the United States. Bakeries and restaurants offer special deals, such as free bagels or discounts on bagel sandwiches. In 2008, the holiday gained a cosmic twist when astronaut Gregory Chamitoff brought bagels to the International Space Station, baking one on July 26th, further cementing the date's significance. Today, social media campaigns and hashtags like #NationalBagelfestDay help spread the joy, encouraging people to enjoy bagels with various toppings.
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