National Peeps Day celebrates those iconic, sugar-coated marshmallow treats shaped like chicks and bunnies that have become a beloved part of American candy culture. These spongy confections, produced in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, have been delighting sweet tooths since 1953.
Quick Facts
When is it?: April 5th annually
Tagged as: Candy holiday, Sweet celebration
What’s the hashtag?: #NationalPeepsDay
When was it founded?: 2009
Who founded it?: National Confectioners Association
History of National Peeps
Peeps were born when Just Born acquired the Rodda Candy Company in 1953. The original manufacturing process took 27 hours to create these treats by hand. Bob Born revolutionized production by automating the process, reducing creation time to just six minutes. The iconic wings that originally adorned each Peep were removed in 1955 to streamline production further.
Timeline
• 1953: Just Born acquires Rodda Candy Company
• 1954: Production process becomes automated
• 1955: Wings removed from Peep design
• 1999: Year-round production begins
• 2014: Introduction of Peeps Minis
Dates by Next Year
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | April 5 | Saturday |
| 2026 | April 5 | Sunday |
| 2027 | April 5 | Monday |
| 2028 | April 5 | Wednesday |
| 2029 | April 5 | Thursday |
How It’s Observed
People celebrate by eating Peeps, creating Peeps art, participating in Peeps eating contests, and making Peeps-themed desserts. Many participate in diorama contests and creative displays using Peeps as artistic medium.
Fun Facts About Peeps
• 5.5 million Peeps are produced daily
• Yellow chicks remain the most popular variety
• The eyes are made from carnauba wax
• They’re the best-selling non-chocolate Easter candy
• Matt Stonie holds the record for eating 255 Peeps in five minutes
Quiz
- How long did it originally take to make Peeps?
- What year were Peeps introduced?
- Where are Peeps manufactured?
-(Answers: 27 hours, 1953, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania)
FAQs
Q: Are Peeps available year-round?
A: Yes, since 1999.
Q: What was the original Peeps color?
A: Yellow.
Q: Are there sugar-free Peeps?
A: Yes, introduced in 2007.
Importance of National Peeps Day
The holiday recognizes an iconic American candy that has transformed from a seasonal Easter treat to a year-round confection inspiring creativity, competitions, and cultural traditions.
Related
• National Candy Day
• National Marshmallow Day
• Easter Sunday
• National Jelly Bean Day
• National Sugar Cookie Day