National Cotton Candy Day - December 7, 2024

National Cotton Candy Day is celebrated on December 7 to our sweet tooth’s joy and our dentists’ dismay. But did you know dentists actually invented it in the first place? It was even called fairy floss back in the day. Now, it’s the go-to at county fairs and a must-have when riding a Ferris wheel. Most of our childhood memories wouldn’t have been complete without the sugary cloud that is cotton candy. Read on to discover its history — as well as how to celebrate one of the sweetest days of the year.

National Cotton Candy Day timeline

1921

Cotton candy got its name

It came about when a dentist, Josef Lascaux, built a machine and sold the treat to patients in his Louisiana office. It's believed that he's the one who coined the permanent name.

1904

Cotton candy's debut

Following the invention of machine-spun cotton candy, it was finally introduced to a wide audience at the World’s Fair in St Louis. At the time, it was called "fairy floss."

1897

Dentists made the sweet treat

Can you believe it? Dentist William Morrison and confectioner John C. Wharton are credited for the invention of machine-spun cotton candy.

3 Reasons We Can't Seem To Get Enough

Sugar's the only true ingredient

When spun, cotton candy's all white because it's made from just sugar. Adding dye can transform the color.

A thread of cotton candy is thinner than a strand of human hair

Though thin, the treat can be very long. In fact, the longest cotton candy was created in July 2009 and stretched over 1,400 meters.

Cotton candy has different names around the world.

In England, it’s called candy floss. In Australia and Finland, it’s called fairy floss. In the Netherlands, it’s known as suikerspin, which means “sugar spider.” Traveling to France? Call it barbe à papa, which means papa’s beard.

National Cotton Candy Day Activities

Eat all the cotton candy you can

Buy some and celebrate! Maybe try a new flavor for the first time. Banana? Green apple? Strawberry?

Give some to your siblings or childhood friends

If you enjoyed cotton candy with someone at a young age, celebrate with them. We're sure sweet memories will accompany this sweet fix.

Try making it at home

Think you could do better than the dentists who created it? Give it a shot and try various flavors while you're at it.

Why We Love National Cotton Candy Day

All sugar — all the time

If you're needing a sweet fix, this is your ticket to that sugar high you're craving.

Quick, easy, and no crumbs

Not only is cotton candy easy to store, it makes no mess. It's just soft clouds of sugar that can easily be folded up and eaten in less than a minute.