National Coffee Day and International Coffee Day: Dates and Traditions
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National Coffee Day in the United States falls on September 29 every year, and International Coffee Day follows two days later on October 1. The US date is an informal celebration that coffee shops and fans have embraced since at least the mid-2000s, while International Coffee Day is the official worldwide day set by the International Coffee Organization (ICO), first celebrated in 2015. Together they make the turn of September into October the unofficial coffee week of the year.
Here is how the two days came about, how other countries celebrate, and some fun ways to mark them at home.
National Coffee Day vs International Coffee Day: The Dates
| National Coffee Day (US) | International Coffee Day | |
|---|---|---|
| Date | September 29 | October 1 |
| Who sets it | No official body; a popular, informal observance | International Coffee Organization |
| First observed | Mentioned publicly by at least 2005 | First official edition in 2015 |
| Typical focus | Enjoying coffee, café promotions | Celebrating coffee worldwide and the people who grow it |
Because the dates are fixed, they land on a different weekday each year. Check your calendar and plan your coffee accordingly.
The Story of National Coffee Day in the US
Unlike federal holidays, National Coffee Day was never created by an act of Congress or a presidential proclamation. Its exact origin is unclear. What we do know is that the September 29 date was being mentioned publicly as early as 2005, and it grew quickly as coffee shops, roasters and brands began using it as a reason to celebrate.
Today, it is one of the best-known “national days” on the American food calendar. Many cafés mark it with promotions, social media lights up with latte art and morning mugs, and plenty of people simply use it as an excuse for a second cup. That fits a country with a long love affair with coffee, a story we explore in why Americans drink coffee and in our look at coffee in World War II and the “cup of joe”.
The Story of International Coffee Day
The International Coffee Organization is an intergovernmental body that brings together coffee-exporting and coffee-importing governments. At a meeting in March 2014, its member states agreed to hold International Coffee Day on October 1 and decided to launch the first official edition in Milan as part of Expo 2015, the world’s fair held there that year.
Since then, October 1 has been used to celebrate coffee as a global drink and to draw attention to the millions of farmers who grow it, many of them on small family farms. Each year the ICO and its partners promote a theme connected to the coffee sector. You can find current information on the International Coffee Organization website.
Some countries already had coffee days before 2015. Japan, for example, has celebrated coffee on October 1 since the All Japan Coffee Association first promoted the day in 1983.
How Different Countries Celebrate
Coffee days around the world do not all fall on the same date. Broadly, you will find two clusters:
- September 29: the United States and several other countries hold their coffee days on or around this date.
- October 1: International Coffee Day, also observed as the national date in places such as Japan and the United Kingdom.
- Other dates: some coffee-producing countries celebrate on days tied to their own coffee history or harvest calendar.
Whatever the date, the traditions are similar: special offers in cafés, tastings, events highlighting coffee-growing regions and plenty of shared photos. If you are curious about where coffee grows and why, our guide to the coffee belt is a great place to start, and our history of coffee traces the drink from its Ethiopian legend to today.
Ways to Celebrate National Coffee Day at Home
You do not need a café line to celebrate. Here are some ideas for September 29 and October 1:
- Host a tasting flight. Brew three coffees from different regions side by side, such as Colombia, Ethiopia and Sumatra, and compare aroma, acidity and body. Our blind tasting guide shows how to keep it fair.
- Try a new brew method. Pull out the moka pot, French press or pour-over you never use, or try a classic like Turkish coffee.
- Learn something new. Read up on roast levels, processing or the science of crema, and taste the difference.
- Cook with coffee. Make an affogato, a coffee rub for steak or tiramisu.
- Share a cup. Bring a thermos of fresh coffee to coworkers, neighbors or friends.
- Explore an origin. Pick a coffee-growing country and spend the day learning about its farms and traditions.
A simple two-day plan
On September 29, celebrate the American way with a big, comforting mug of your favorite blend. On October 1, go international with a single origin from a country you have never tried and read about where it comes from.
National Coffee Day FAQ
When is National Coffee Day?
In the United States, National Coffee Day is celebrated every year on September 29. International Coffee Day, the worldwide observance, is on October 1.
Is National Coffee Day an official holiday?
No. The US National Coffee Day is an informal observance with no official government status. International Coffee Day on October 1 was established by the International Coffee Organization, an intergovernmental body.
When did International Coffee Day start?
The International Coffee Organization agreed in 2014 to hold the day on October 1. The first official International Coffee Day took place in 2015, launched in Milan during Expo 2015.
Why are there two coffee days so close together?
The US date grew informally before the ICO picked October 1 for its worldwide celebration. Many coffee lovers simply celebrate both, turning the end of September into a coffee weekend.
Raise a Mug
Whether you celebrate on September 29, October 1 or both, coffee days are a great reason to slow down, taste something new and appreciate the people behind every cup.
Make it a tasting party with our Best Sellers Sample Pack, explore our single origin coffees, or stick with a crowd-pleaser from our best sellers. Every Feel Espresso order is roasted 1 to 5 days before delivery, with delivery in 2 to 5 days, so order a week ahead to have fresh beans for the big day.