National Pretzel Day

National Pretzel Day History

National Pretzel Day seeks to celebrate the knotted baked pastry. The pretzel is believed to have been created during 7th century to be eaten during lent. They are made using a mixture of water, flour, and salt. There are many toppings or seasonings that can be used including cheeses, sugar, and cinnamon. Pretzels were first brought to the United States by Germans around the year of 1710, more specifically to Pennsylvania. The first ever hard pretzel commercial bakery was created in 1850 by Julius Sturgis, also in Pennsylvania.

National Pretzel Day seems to have been started in 2012 as a promotion for pretzels. It is observed annually April 26th.

Top 8 Facts for National Pretzel Day in 2026

• Major national chains such as Auntie Anne’s, Wetzel’s Pretzels, and Philly Pretzel Factory historically celebrate National Pretzel Day by offering customers free soft pretzels or significant "buy one, get one" discounts through their mobile rewards apps.
• The origins of the snack are often traced back to 610 A.D., when an Italian monk is said to have baked strips of dough into the shape of a child's arms folded in prayer, calling the treats pretiola, or "little rewards," to give to students who memorized their devotions.
• The phrase "tying the knot" may have its roots in 17th-century Swiss wedding ceremonies where a large pretzel was used to symbolize the legal and spiritual bond between a bride and groom.
• Fans of the television series The Office frequently revisit the season three episode titled Pretzel Day, which depicts the character Stanley Hudson’s uncharacteristic excitement for the annual visit of a traveling pretzel vendor to the Dunder Mifflin office park.
• Pennsylvania serves as the global epicenter of production, accounting for approximately 80% of all pretzels made in the United States, while residents of Philadelphia consume the snack at a rate roughly twelve times higher than the national average.
• Hard pretzels were reportedly invented by accident in the 1850s when a Pennsylvania baker left a batch of soft pretzels in the oven for too long, discovered the resulting crunch was palatable, and eventually opened the first commercial pretzel bakery, Julius Sturgis Pretzel Bakery.
• The current Guinness World Record for the largest pretzel belongs to a massive creation that weighed 842 pounds and measured over 26 feet in length.
• Unsalted pretzels are known in the industry by the specific nickname of baldies because they lack the characteristic "crystals" of coarse salt.

In the News and Trending for National Pretzel Day

Top things to do for National Pretzel Day

• Visit your local bakery and try some pretzels.
• Explore the remnants of the Pretzel Museum. Unfortunately the museum closed down, but it was a popular site in historic Philadelphia. The museum was dedicated to pretzels and all the facts and history about them.
• Make Michael Scott's Pretzel from NBC's The Office. This signature pretzel features many toppings including cinnamon, chocolate, oreos, powderer sugar and more.