A little reason to celebrate
National Watermelon Day
Food ยท August 3
A day for watermelon, the big striped summer fruit that is mostly water, eaten in cold wedges at picnics, cookouts and porch steps across the US.
National Watermelon Day falls on Tuesday, August 3, 2027. That is 280 days away.
Watermelon is a vine fruit in the gourd family, related to cucumbers and squash. Under the hard green rind sits a sweet, juicy flesh that is usually red or pink, though yellow and orange kinds exist too. As the name suggests, most of it is water.
In the United States it is a fruit of warm weather and shared tables. A whole melon is too much for one person, which may be the point. Someone cuts it into wedges, the wedges get passed around, and everyone leans forward so the juice lands on the grass instead of their shirt.
Picking a good one is part of the ritual. Many people look for a creamy yellow patch on one side, where the melon rested on the ground while it ripened. Others knock on it and listen for a hollow sound, a method that is mostly confidence.
There is more to it than wedges. Cubes go into salads with mint or feta, chunks get blended into cold drinks, and in some kitchens the rind is pickled rather than thrown away. Seedless varieties are common now, but the seeded kind still has fans, along with the old backyard habit of seeing who can spit a seed the farthest.
A chilled melon keeps its texture best when it is cut shortly before serving, and leftovers do well covered in the refrigerator.
Ways to celebrate
- Share a chilled watermelon with neighbors or coworkers.
- Try watermelon cubes with mint, lime or a little salt.
- Look up a recipe for pickled watermelon rind.
- Hold a friendly backyard seed spitting contest.
- Taste a yellow fleshed watermelon if you can find one.
Dates
| Year | Date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, August 3 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, August 3 |
| 2028 | Thursday, August 3 |
| 2029 | Friday, August 3 |
| 2030 | Saturday, August 3 |
Also on August 3
Categories: Food days