June Food Holidays welcome summer with celebrations for fresh fruits and vegetables, seafood, picnic favorites, ice cream treats, and more!

Jump to:
- June Highlights
- Featured June Food Moments
- Father's Day Recipes
- Seasonal Produce in June
- June Food Holidays
Start Here: June Highlights
June is the month when summer flavors start to shine-sweet berries, juicy stone fruits, fresh corn, and vibrant herbs make their way from farmers' markets to your table.
This month's food holidays celebrate everything from refreshing summer drinks and chilled desserts to hearty picnic foods and seasonal seafood. With International Picnic Day, strawberry shortcake, and the unofficial start of ice cream season, June is full of reasons to gather outdoors, savor the sunshine, and enjoy the flavors of early summer.
Cook This Month: June Food Moments
International Picnic Day (June 18)
International Picnic Day is the perfect reason to pack a basket and head outdoors. From finger foods to sweet treats, picnic-friendly dishes are meant to be portable, colorful, and full of flavor.

Try making:
- Savory Sandwiches & Wraps - easy to make ahead and layered with fresh veggies, cheeses, and spreads
- Summer Salads - refreshing blends of grains, herbs, and seasonal produce
- Picnic-Friendly Sweets - cookies, bars, or mini cakes that travel well
Whether you're planning a solo outing or a group gathering, these recipes make every picnic feel effortless and delicious.
National Ice Cream Soda Day (June 20)
National Ice Cream Soda Day is a nod to the old-fashioned soda fountain, where fizzy drinks met creamy ice cream in delightful combinations. It's a playful, nostalgic treat perfect for a summer afternoon.

Try making:
- Classic Ice Cream Sodas - creamy ice cream topped with fizzy soda, flavored syrups, and whipped cream
- Root Beer & Cola Variations - nostalgic takes on a childhood favorite
- Adult Twists - add a splash of coffee, fruit syrup, or liqueur for grown-up enjoyment
Making an ice cream soda from scratch brings a little magic to the ordinary, and it's surprisingly easy to recreate at home.
National Corn on the Cob Day (June 11)
Summer is peak corn season, and National Corn on the Cob Day is a chance to celebrate sweet, juicy ears fresh from the market or grill..
Try making:
- Mexican Street Corn Compound Butter - smoky, tangy, and perfect for brushing onto corn, vegetables, or fresh bread
- Grilled Corn with Herb Butter - simple, fresh, and bursting with summer flavor
- Corn Salad or Salsa - a versatile way to use leftover corn in vibrant dishes
This day is all about enjoying corn at its peak - simple, flavorful, and utterly seasonal.
National Strawberry Shortcake Day (June 14)
Strawberries are at their sweetest in June, and National Strawberry Shortcake Day is a celebration of this bright, summery fruit. Even if you skip the traditional shortcake, strawberries shine in countless ways.
Try making:
- Strawberry Layer Cake - light, moist, and topped with whipped cream
- Strawberry Cream Pie or Crêpes - a fresh, elegant dessert for summer gatherings
- Strawberry Ice Cream or Parfaits - simple, refreshing, and perfect for warm weather
No matter the form, fresh strawberries turn every dessert into a seasonal celebration.
National Rotisserie Chicken Day (June 2)
Rotisserie chicken isn't just convenient - it's a base for endless comforting meals.
Try making:
- Chicken Pot Pie - rich, hearty, and full of flavor
- Chicken Salad or Sandwiches - easy, fresh, and perfect for lunch
- Casseroles & One-Pan Dishes - comforting dinners in minimal time
- National Egg Day (June 3)
No matter the form, fresh strawberries turn every dessert into a seasonal celebration.
Father's Day Recipes
Seasonal Produce in June (Pacific Northwest)
Late spring / early summer harvests in the Pacific Northwest are sweet, savory, and bountiful.
- apples
- arugula
- asparagus → Easy Rice Pilaf with Asparagus & Cashews
- basil
- bok choy
- bramble berries (e.g., boysenberries, raspberries, marionberries, etc.)
- broccoli
- cauliflower
- chard
- cherries
- chives
- cilantro
- collard greens
- endive
- fava beans
- fennel
- green onions
- kale
- lamb's quarter
- lettuce
- mint
- mushrooms → Pan-Seared Sturgeon with Mushrooms & Potatoes
- mustard greens
- oregano
- parsley
- potatoes → Roasted Garlic Smashed Potatoes
- radicchio
- radishes
- rapini
- rhubarb → Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Pie
- rosemary
- sage
- snap peas
- snow peas
- sorrel
- spinach → Spinach Chicken Curry (Chicken Saag)
- sprouts
- strawberries → Fresh Strawberry Cream Pie
- summer squash → Zucchini Fritters with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce
- tarragon → Creamy Smoked Salmon Chowder
- thyme
- turnips
- watercress
- zucchini
👉 Not in the Pacific Northwest? Seasonal availability may vary where you live - check your local growing calendar for the most accurate list.
Jump to: June Food Holidays
Month-Long Celebrations
- National Country Cooking Month
- National Candy Month
- National Dairy Month
- National Fresh Fruit & Vegetable Month
- National Iced Tea Month
- National Soul Food Month
- National Frozen Yogurt Month
- National Lemon Month
- National Papaya Month
- National Mango Month
- National Seafood Month
- National Steakhouse Month
- National Turkey Lover's Month
- Cucumber Month
- Pluot & Aprium Month
Weekly Food Holidays
1st Week
- International Donut Day (1st Friday)
- National Fish and Chips Day (UK; first Friday)
1st Week
- International Donut Day (1st Friday)
- National Fish and Chips Day (UK; first Friday)
3rd Week
- National Picnic Week (UK)
1st Week
- International Donut Day (1st Friday)
- National Fish and Chips Day (UK; first Friday)
Final Week
- National Watermelon Spitting Week (Last Thursday thru Sunday)
- National Cream Tea Day (UK; last Friday)
Daily Food Holidays
Celebrate something delicious every day of the month! Here are a few standout July food holidays, along with favorite recipes to match.
Must Try Days
- June 2 - National Rotisserie Chicken Day → Curried Chicken Salad
- June 3 - National Egg Day → Egg & Cheese Rolls
- June 4 - National Cheese Day → Irish Apple Pie Grilled Cheese Sandwich
- June 5 - National Gingerbread Day → Old-fashioned Pumpkin Gingerbread
- June 16 - Fresh Veggies Day → Grilled Eggplant & Tomato Stacks
- June 17 - National Apple Strudel Day → Easy Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)
- June 18 - International Picnic Day → Perfect Picnic Finger Foods
- June 20 - National Ice Cream Soda Day → Chocolate Ice Cream Soda
- June 21 - National Peaches & Cream Day → Fresh Peach Custard Tart
- National Coconut Day → Easy Coconut Cream Pudding Shots
June 1
- World Milk Day
- National Hazelnut Cake Day
- National Olive Day
June 2
- National Rocky Road Ice Cream Day
- National Rotisserie Chicken Day → Curried Chicken Salad
June 3
- National Egg Day → Egg & Cheese Rolls
- National Chocolate Macaroon Day
- National Cider Day
June 4
- National Cheese Day → Irish Apple Pie Grilled Cheese Sandwich GHW
- National Frozen Yogurt Day
- National Cognac Day
June 5
- National Gingerbread Day → Nana's Old-fashioned Pumpkin Gingerbread
- National Sausage Roll Day
- World Environment Day
June 6
- National Applesauce Cake Day
June 7
- National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 8
- World Oceans Day (Sustainable Seafood) → Seafood Recipes
June 9
- National Strawberry-Rhubarb Pie Day
- National Meal Prep Day
June 10
- Herbs & Spices Day → Spicy Pan-fried Blackened Rockfish
- National Iced Tea Day
- National Black Cow Day (A "black cow" is a root beer float or Coca-cola float [varies regionally] with a tablespoon of chocolate syrup added.)
June 11
- National Corn on the Cob Day → Citrus Herb Compound Butter
- National German Chocolate Cake Day
June 12
- International Cachaça Day
- International Falafel Day
- National Jerky Day
- National Peanut Butter Cookie Day
June 13
- Kitchen Klutzes of America Day
June 14
- National Strawberry Shortcake Day
June 15
- National Lobster Day
- Beer Day (UK)
- World Gin Day
- National Prune Day
June 16
- National Fudge Day
- Fresh Veggies Day → Grilled Eggplant & Tomato Stacks
June 17
- Eat All Your Veggies Day → Roasted Ratatouille with Pan-fried Onions
- National Apple Strudel Day → Easy Apple Strudel (Apfelstrudel)
- National Stewart's Root Beer
June 18
- National Cherry Tart Day
- International Picnic Day → Perfect Picnic Finger Foods
- National Sushi Day
June 19
- National Dry Martini Day
June 20
- National Vanilla Milkshake Day
- Kouign Amann Day
- National Ice Cream Soda Day → Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda
- World Tapas Day
June 21
- National Peaches & Cream Day → Fresh Peach Custard Tart
- National Cookie Dough Day
- National Smoothie Day
June 22
- National Chocolate Éclair Day
- National Onion Rings Day
June 23
- National Pecan Sandies Day
- National Detroit Style Pizza Day
- National Porridge Day → Rice Cooker Steel Cut Oats with Apples & Cinnamon
June 24
- National Pralines Day
June 25
- National Catfish Day
- National Strawberry Parfait Day
June 26
- National Chocolate Pudding Day
- National Coconut Day → Mrs. Obinger's Oatmeal Coconut Cookies
June 27
- National Indian Pudding Day
- National Ice Cream Cake Day
- National Onion Day
- National Orange Blossom Day
June 28
- National Ceviche Day
- National Tapioca Day
June 29
- National Almond Buttercrunch Day
- National Bacon Burn End Day
- National Waffle Iron Day
June 30
- National Mai Tai Day
Top Picks for June
- Classic Cherry Clafoutis (Easy French Dessert)
- No-Bake Chocolate Eclair Cake (Old-Fashioned Icebox Dessert)
- Classic Southern Peach Cobbler
- 15 Homemade Ice Cream Recipes for Ice Cream Makers
- Grilled Eggplant Panini with Provolone, Tomato & Arugula
- Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream (Custard Style)
- Grilled Stuffed Squash Blossoms
- Old-fashioned Chocolate Ice Cream Soda
Save This for Later
Planning ahead? Save this calendar so you don't miss a single delicious excuse to cook this month.



















