When is National Have a Bagel Day?

The next occurence will be on December 11th, 2025. The last occurence was on December 11th, 2023.

National Have a Bagel Day (December 11th)

Quick facts
When is it?	Every December 11th
Tagged as:	Bread Food & Drink
What's the hashtag?	#NationalHaveaBagelDay
We first published this page on:	Dec 23rd, 2017
We last updated this page:	Dec 2nd, 2024

The bagel is a lonely roll to eat all by yourself because in order for the true taste to come out you need your family. One to cut the bagels, one to toast them, one to put on the cream cheese and the lox, one to put them on the table, and one to supervise.
Gertrude Berg

Bagels are one of the favorites of breakfast breads in the Western World, especially the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.

National Have a Bagel Day encourages everyone to enjoy this delicious doughy delight in your favorite configuration, and remember the long history of this bread and the people that made it famous.

History of National Have a Bagel Day

Round, dense and best served with a rich luxuriant topping of cream cheese, the bagel seems to have become very popular among the Jewish population of Europe sometime in the 1600’s, but the specifics of its origin remain subject to hot dispute. They may have even been around as early as the 14th century.

Some origin stories have it coming out of Krakow, Poland where it was said to be given to women who were going through childbirth, but no one really knows why it would have been used that way.

And although this may be the first historical record of this dense ring of delight, it is likely that it existed for some time before that.

Other tales point to a baker from Vienna who may have developed the bagel in order to celebrate the defeat of the Turks by King Jan III Sobieski of Poland in 1683.

In this case, its shape was supposedly meant to be reminiscent of a stirrup. The stirrup, known as buegel, was selected due to the folklore saying that the freed people of Austria had reached out to grasp the stirrup of King Sobieski as he rode by.

What is known is that the bajgiel (an earlier spelling of bagel) would become a central part of the Polish and Slavic diets by the 17th century, and by the 19th it would be found being sold in London on long wooden dowels.

In the 19th century, the bagel also found its way to the Big Apple by way of the Polish Jewish immigrants and was quickly brought under the control of the Bagel Bakers Local 338, a bakers union that held all of the local bagel bakeries under its sway.

It eventually began spreading throughout the US in the years following 1975 thanks to the automation of production that became possible.

Whenever it began, there is no doubt that this tasty treat has become incredibly popular and spread all throughout the world.

Bagels even made it into outer space in 2008! This occurred when astronaut Greg Chamitoff made the Original Fairmount Bakery famous by taking 1 ½ dozen of their bagels on the space shuttle with him when he was headed to the space station.

Surely, a baked good that makes it to space is worth having a whole day dedicated to it. And so, it is time to celebrate National Have a Bagel Day!

How to Celebrate National Have A Bagel Day

Getting into a celebratory mood for this day is easy–simply follow the instructions of the name and have a bagel. For other ways to enjoy this day, try out these ideas:

Have a Bagel, Of Course!

Quite simply start your day with a bagel smeared with cream cheese or your favorite topping! For lunch, it’s fun to expand that offering with ham and cheese on a bagel, warmed in the toaster or oven.

Even folks who aren’t typically a huge fan of the microwave might find it works in a pinch.

Especially because the rich, doughy consistency it gives the bagel while melting the cheese and heating the ham makes it perfect for a filling, comforting, afternoon meal.

Try Different Bagel Toppings

Cream cheese and lox are some of the most important standard toppings for bagels that can be found. But the options are virtually endless when it comes to National Have a Bagel Day!

Take some time to think creatively about what to put on that bagel, and then get excited about such a culinary adventure. For starters, try out some of these unique ideas for bagel toppings or bagel sandwiches:

Chocolate Hazelnut Strawberry Bagel. This delightful combination works well on a plain bagel. Simply spread Nutella or other hazelnut spread onto a lightly toasted bagel. Top with tasty chopped strawberries and chopped hazelnuts.
Tomato, Onion, Cream Cheese, Avocado Bagel Sandwich. Pile the ingredients on a sliced bagel (toasting optional) and feel free to eat it open faced or like a sandwich.
Marinara Chicken Mozzarella Bagel. Channeling that inner Italian, this is like a little taste of saucy chicken pizza, but on a bagel!
Island Dream Bagel. Squeeze some key lime juice into cream cheese and stir together, then chill. Spread over bagels and then top with shredded coconut, toasted macadamia nuts, and key lime zest.

Grab Some Bagel Deals and Discounts

Keep an eye out for the many bagel bakeries that will be celebrating National Have a Bagel Day by offering coupons or lower prices. Some have even been known to give away free bagels!

In the past companies like Einstein BrosTim Hortons, Bruegger’s Bagels, Bagel Boss and even Philadelphia Cream Cheese have gotten on board with the celebration. Check online or pop into a local bagel shop to find out what kind of specials they are running in honor of National Have a Bagel Day.

National Have a Bagel Day FAQs

Did bagels originate in Poland or Austria?

While many trace bagels to 17th-century Poland, some suggest they began in Austria.

A popular tale claims a Viennese baker crafted a stirrup-shaped bread, called “beugel,” to honor Polish King Jan Sobieski’s 1683 victory over the Turks. However, this story lacks solid evidence.

Why do bagels have holes in the middle?

The hole in a bagel ensures even cooking and allows for easy stacking. Street vendors traditionally displayed bagels by threading them onto dowels or strings, making them portable and appealing to customers.

How did bagels become associated with Jewish culture?

Bagels have been linked to Ashkenazi Jews since the 17th century. They were first mentioned in 1610 in Jewish community ordinances in Kraków, Poland, and became a staple in Jewish diets, especially during Sabbath.

What’s the difference between New York and Montreal bagels?

New York bagels are boiled briefly before baking, resulting in a chewy texture.

Montreal bagels are boiled in honey-sweetened water and baked in wood-fired ovens, giving them a sweeter taste and denser consistency.

Is it true that New York’s water makes its bagels superior?

A common myth credits New York’s water for superior bagels. However, experts argue that traditional baking techniques, like boiling before baking, play a more significant role in a bagel’s quality.

How did bagels become mainstream in the United States?

Bagels arrived in the U.S. with Eastern European Jewish immigrants in the late 19th century.

They remained a niche item until the 1970s when mass production and marketing, notably by Lender’s Bagels, introduced them to a broader audience.

Are there any superstitions or myths associated with bagels?

In Poland, bagels were sometimes given to women in childbirth, believed to have protective powers. This practice highlights the bagel’s cultural significance beyond its culinary value.

How do different cultures incorporate bagels into their cuisines?

In Israel, bagels are often topped with za’atar, a Middle Eastern spice blend. In Japan, bagels are sometimes made with green tea or filled with red bean paste, showcasing local flavors.

What’s the significance of BagelFest?

BagelFest is an annual event in New York’s Catskills region, celebrating the bagel’s cultural impact. It features vendors, music, and activities, drawing thousands of bagel enthusiasts each year.

Are there any misconceptions about how bagels are made?

Some believe bagels are deep-fried due to their shiny crust. In reality, traditional bagels are boiled before baking, which gives them their distinctive texture and appearance.

See what else is happening…

There’s always more going on every month at Days Of The Year. Here are our favorites this month!

National Have a Bagel Day

History of National Have a Bagel Day