🎃 Sweet Bites of Nostalgia: Celebrating National Candy Corn Day

Amanda Moncrieff
Sep 22
4 min read

Date Details

National Candy Corn Day is celebrated every year on October 30th, right before Halloween. Unlike floating holidays that change based on weekdays, this one is fixed — always the 30th. That makes it the perfect warm-up for trick-or-treat festivities and a chance to spotlight one of the most iconic (and controversial) candies of all time.

About the Day & History

Candy corn was first created in the 1880s by George Renninger of the Wunderle Candy Company. It became a seasonal sensation when the Goelitz Candy Company (now known as Jelly Belly) began mass-producing it at the turn of the century. Originally made to resemble kernels of corn, this tri-colored treat (yellow, orange, and white) symbolized harvest time and autumn.

National Candy Corn Day itself doesn’t have a singular “founder,” but it grew organically out of America’s love-hate relationship with the treat. For some, candy corn is a nostalgic staple of fall; for others, it’s the candy they trade away in Halloween goodie bags. Either way, it sparks conversation and tradition, and that’s what this day is all about!

✨ Fun fact: Candy corn was once called “Chicken Feed” when it was first marketed, and the original packaging featured a rooster. 🐓

Celebration Ideas

🎉 Solo Celebrations

Try making homemade candy corn from scratch.
Do a candy corn taste test with flavored varieties (pumpkin spice, chocolate, apple pie).
Create a fall-inspired candy corn cocktail or mocktail.
Use candy corn as decoration in a fall craft or DIY candle jar.
Cozy up with a Halloween movie marathon and a candy corn snack bowl.

💕 Couples/Spouses

Bake candy corn cupcakes together.
Challenge each other to a blindfolded candy corn taste test game.
Make candy corn-themed cocktails for a Halloween date night.
Go on a fall picnic with candy corn trail mix.
DIY matching candy corn t-shirts for a fun photo shoot.

👨‍👩‍👧 Families/Kids

Host a candy corn relay race with spoons.
Decorate sugar cookies with candy corn “toppings.”
Build a candy corn tower as a family engineering challenge.
Make candy corn slime for a sensory play activity.
Share candy corn “treat bags” with neighbors (🎁 add a cute candy corn–themed treat tag for extra smiles).

🏢 Coworkers

Host a candy corn jar guessing game in the office (📑 include treat tags for prizes).
Bring in candy corn popcorn mix for the breakroom.
Run a “Team Candy Corn vs Team Chocolate” poll for fun engagement.
Set up a candy corn latte bar.
Use candy corn colors (orange, yellow, white) to decorate the office for a pre-Halloween vibe.

🌎 Community/Public

Organize a candy corn bake-off at a local community center.
Partner with a coffee shop to feature a candy corn latte.
Host a neighborhood candy corn craft night.
Donate candy corn treat bags to a local shelter (treat tags make them feel extra festive).
Run a candy corn art contest for kids in the community.

Shopping List

🍬 Want to stock up on candy corn goodies? From classic Brach’s candy bags and freeze-dried candy corn snacks, to festive mugs, pillows, décor, and even pet costumes, there’s a whole world of candy corn fun out there.

👉 Browse the full curated collection here: Candy Corn Everything – Décor, Snacks & More

Business Advertising Opportunities

Candy Shops – Offer a “Buy One, Get One Candy Corn Mix” sale.
Coffee Shops – Launch a limited-time candy corn latte.
Bakeries – Feature candy corn cupcakes or cookies.
Grocery Stores – Promote a candy corn bundle aisle.
Bars/Restaurants – Create candy corn cocktails or shots.
E-commerce Stores – Push candy corn-themed merch (pillows, socks, mugs).
Event Planners – Host pre-Halloween candy corn parties.
Social Media Campaigns – Run a poll: “Candy Corn: Love It or Hate It?”
Retail Stores – Set up themed photo booths for shoppers.
Nonprofits – Partner for a candy corn-themed fundraiser.

Try Freeze-Dried Candy Corn

If you’ve never tried freeze-dried candy, this is the perfect gateway! Freeze-dried candy corn transforms from chewy-sweet kernels into crispy, airy bites that pop with flavor. They’re addictive and make a great conversation starter for Halloween parties.

Homemade Candy Corn Recipe 🍬

Ingredients

2 ½ cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup powdered milk
1 cup granulated sugar
2/3 cup light corn syrup
1/3 cup unsalted butter
1 tsp vanilla extract
Food coloring (yellow + orange)

Instructions

In one bowl, mix powdered sugar and powdered milk.
In a saucepan, melt granulated sugar, corn syrup, and butter over medium heat until smooth. Stir in vanilla.
Combine wet and dry mixtures, stirring until dough-like.
Divide into three equal parts. Leave one plain, color one orange, and one yellow.
Roll each color into ropes, press them together, and cut into triangle “kernels.”
Let cool and set before serving.

👉 Homemade candy corn is softer and creamier than store-bought — a must-try fall kitchen experiment!

Cocktail Corner 🍹

Looking for a grown-up twist? Check out the Perfect Halloween Candy Corn Cocktail Recipe from Tammilee Tips. It’s festive, colorful, and way better than the time I tried to infuse vodka with candy corn in college (spoiler alert: it was terrible 🤢).

Summary & Wrap-Up

National Candy Corn Day is the ultimate pre-Halloween warm-up. Whether you’re team “love it” or team “leave it,” it’s impossible to deny that candy corn is a fall icon that sparks fun, nostalgia, and endless creative celebration opportunities.

📢 So grab a bag, decorate your home, or share some with friends — and remember, candy corn season only comes once a year!

Hashtags:#seizeeveryday #teetheday #candycornlove #halloweensnacks #sweetcelebrations #neighborlytreats #guessinggamefun

Printables 🎁

Take your National Candy Corn Day fun to the next level with these ready-to-use printables:

Candy Corn Guessing Game Sheet 🎲 – Perfect for office contests, neighborhood parties, or family fun. Just print, set up a candy corn jar, and let the guesses roll in.
Candy Corn Treat Tags 🍬 – Add a festive finishing touch to candy corn bags, party favors, or neighborly gifts.

📸 (Insert your tag images + guessing game sheet images here in the blog)

👉 These little extras turn simple treats and activities into something memorable and share-worthy.