Annual observance

Roast Chestnuts Day

December 14 Cultural / community observance Updated 2025-12-18

This holiday is featured in the Obscure Holiday Calendar app with emoji-style visuals, reminders, and daily fun facts.

Overview

Roast Chestnuts Day, observed annually on December 14th, is an unofficial holiday celebrating the beloved tradition of roasting and enjoying chestnuts. This festive culinary custom is deeply rooted in various cultures, particularly during winter and holiday seasons, cherished for its comforting aroma and the warm, sweet, nutty flavor of the freshly prepared treat.

Observed each year on December 14, Roast Chestnuts Day invites people to pause, share the story, and bring a little themed joy to their day.

Why it matters: Roast Chestnuts Day, celebrated on December 14, honors the warm tradition of roasting chestnuts, a comforting activity that brings families and communities together during the winter season.

Origin and story

Unlike most other nuts, chestnuts are relatively low in fat and protein, consisting primarily of carbohydrates and water.

Before roasting, chestnuts are typically scored with a knife to prevent them from exploding due to steam buildup inside their shells.

Quick facts

  • DateDecember 14
  • TypeCultural / community observance
  • Great forFriends, Families, Classrooms, Teams

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Ways to celebrate

  • Share the story of Roast Chestnuts Day on social and tag it with #roastchestnutsday so others can join in.
  • Add Roast Chestnuts Day to your Obscure Holiday Calendar app widget so you get a reminder next year.
  • Write a note or journal entry on why Roast Chestnuts Day matters, then set a reminder for next year.
  • Share one fast fact about Roast Chestnuts Day: Unlike most other nuts, chestnuts are relatively low in fat and protein, consisting primarily of carbohydrates and water.
  • Roast Chestnuts Day lands on December 14 — host a quick nod with Friends, Families and snap a photo.

Fun facts

  • Unlike most other nuts, chestnuts are relatively low in fat and protein, consisting primarily of carbohydrates and water.
  • Before roasting, chestnuts are typically scored with a knife to prevent them from exploding due to steam buildup inside their shells.
  • The iconic lyric "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" from "The Christmas Song" (written in 1945) significantly popularized the image of roasted chestnuts in Western holiday culture.

Sources and attribution

Source not provided.


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FAQ

When is Roast Chestnuts Day?
It is observed on December 14 each year.
What is Roast Chestnuts Day?
Roast Chestnuts Day, observed annually on December 14th, is an unofficial holiday celebrating the beloved tradition of roasting and enjoying chestnuts. This festive culinary custom is deeply rooted in various cultures, particularly during winter and holiday seasons, cherished for its comforting aroma and the warm, sweet, nutty flavor of the freshly prepared treat.
How do people celebrate Roast Chestnuts Day?
Share the story of Roast Chestnuts Day on social and tag it with #roastchestnutsday so others can join in.

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