Global Champagne Day is a day worth celebrating.
Global Champagne Day is one of the most effervescent celebrations in the global calendar — a salute to France’s most coveted liquid luxury.
Every year, on the fourth Friday of October (falling on October 24, 2025), champagne lovers across continents raise their glasses to the sparkling drink that has long symbolised joy, wealth, and togetherness.
With events bubbling up from Paris to Sydney, it’s a global toast that proves why this drink of kings and queens continues to reign supreme.
The Sparkling History of Champagne
Long before hashtags and festivals, champagne began its journey deep in the chalky soils of northeastern France, in the region that bears its name.
By law, only sparkling wines produced within this region can be called “champagne,” and they must be crafted following time-honoured traditions including the méthode traditionnelle — a two-step fermentation process that creates the iconic bubbles.
Its discovery was partly an accident. Early winemakers struggled with bottles bursting from excess pressure, earning the nickname “Devil’s Wine.” It wasn’t until 1844, when Adolphe Jaquesson invented the wire cage (or muselet) to secure corks, that the drink became safe (and stable) to ship worldwide.
As production techniques refined and awareness spread, champagne transformed from rustic effervescence to an emblem of sophistication. From coronations at Reims Cathedral to royal banquets at Versailles, it became an essential part of celebration culture.
The Birth of Global Champagne Day
Though the beverage’s roots are French, Global Champagne Day was surprisingly born in California in 2009, the creation of wine educator Chris Oggenfuss.
His mission was simple — to dedicate one day a year where anyone, anywhere, could appreciate the craftsmanship, history, and pleasure of champagne.
The day became a digital sensation, with enthusiasts around the world posting toasts using #ChampagneDay, evolving into an international happening that extends far beyond France’s borders.
Celebrations in Champagne, France
Naturally, there’s nowhere better to celebrate than the Champagne region itself. Towns like Reims and Épernay host open cellar tours, champagne-pairing dinners, and parades honoring the winegrowers whose generations-long labour has sustained the brand.
Houses like Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Bollinger open their doors to the public, letting visitors experience the delicate alchemy that turns Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier into effervescent gold. Local restaurants craft special tasting menus — think oysters, brioche, and foie gras — all paired perfectly with bubbles. The vineyards buzz with both tourists and locals toasting amidst picturesque rolling hills.
New York: “La Fête du Champagne”
Across the Atlantic, no city matches New York for sheer extravagance when celebrating Champagne Day. From October 22–25, 2025, the La Fête du Champagne Festival returns to Manhattan, hosted by expert Peter Liem and sommelier Daniel Johnnes, bringing together prestigious maisons, boutique producers, and Michelin-starred chefs for a weekend of bubbly indulgence.
The events span black-tie galas, vintage tastings, and intimate dinners featuring culinary icons like Daniel Boulud and Wolfgang Puck. Guests sip Krug, Ruinart, and Louis Roederer beneath glittering chandeliers while enjoying skyline views. The festival’s slogan — “Que la fête commence!” (“Let the party begin!”) — feels particularly New York: grand, glamorous, and international at its core.
Paris and London Toast in Style
Paris, champagne’s spiritual heart, celebrates in chic form, hosting rooftop tastings, Seine River flute bars, and collaborations between fashion houses and champagne labels. Hotels like Le Bristol and Shangri-La Paris roll out limited-edition pairing menus and private sommelier-led experiences.
Meanwhile, across the Channel, London takes a more playful route. Iconic bars such as The Ritz’s Rivoli Bar and Bob Bob Ricard unveil exclusive Champagne flights and themed dinners, while Harrods and Selfridges dedicate sections to special tasting experiences. Champagne pop-ups in Covent Garden and South Bank ensure that the festive fizz flows freely all weekend long.
Sydney’s Sparkling Scene: Manly Wharf Leads the Charge
Down under, the surf meets sophistication as Sydney embraces Champagne Day with waterfront flair. The city’s unofficial headquarters for bubbly brilliance? Manly Wharf, where three iconic venues — Hugo’s Manly, Felons Seafood, and Felons Manly — are keeping the corks popping for ten full days from Friday, October 17 to Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Each venue is pouring bottles of Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Louis Roederer for $99, complemented by Sydney Rock oysters at just $3 each. Whether you arrive by ferry from Circular Quay or stroll down from the Northern Beaches, the setting — harbour waves, pastel sunsets, and polished glasses clinking — captures Sydney’s spirit of casual luxury.
Bookings are recommended for sunny weekends, but locals can easily drop in to toast after work or with friends. The trio of establishments promises seafood platters, house DJs, and champagne flowing by the flute or bottle. The event, considered one of the city’s most scenic, doubles as both a date-night favourite and group-friendly toast to springtime.
Sydney Champagne Specials Round-up
- Hugo’s Manly – $99 bottles (Moët, Veuve Clicquot, Louis Roederer) + $3 oysters. Harbourfront dining at sunset.
- Felons Seafood – Seafood towers designed to pair with bubbles + $99 bottles.
- Felons Manly – Coastal casual vibes, outdoor seating, and classic champagne cocktails alongside bottle specials.
- Duration: October 17–26, 2025
- Walk-ins: Welcome, though weekend bookings are suggested.
Elsewhere in Sydney, boutique venues like Maybe Sammy and The Gidley introduce champagne cocktails for the weekend, while The Winery in Surry Hills hosts an intimate Fizz Garden pop-up with grower champagnes by the glass.
Why Champagne Deserves Its Own Day
Champagne’s magnetism lies in its dual nature — simultaneously luxurious yet unpretentious, ritualistic yet joyous. It has graced coronations, grand openings, and humble picnics. It’s the symbol of marking a moment, whether intimate or monumental. Global Champagne Day is not reserved for connoisseurs; it’s for everyone who values celebration itself.
As Moët & Chandon’s motto famously suggests: “Share the magic of champagne.” And in 2025, from Reims to the Rocks, New York rooftops to Manly sunsets, the world will be doing exactly that — raising a glass to bubbles, beauty, and the shared joy of being alive. Cheers..
Sydney venues celebrating Champagne Day:
Manly Wharf: Coastal Champagne Specials
Three Manly Wharf venues—Hugo’s Manly, Felons Seafood, and Felons Manly—are offering $99 bottles of Moët & Chandon, Veuve Clicquot, and Louis Roederer, alongside Sydney Rock oysters for $3 each, from October 17 to 26. Bookings are recommended, but walk-ins are welcome on sunny days for group or date celebrations. The sunset over the harbour makes this one of Sydney’s most scenic bubbly experiences.
The Charles Brasserie & Bar: Champagne Dinner
The Charles Brasserie & Bar (66 King St, Sydney) hosts a Champagne Dinner by The Real Review on October 21, 2025, featuring a curated lineup of fine Champagnes paired with a gourmet meal. The event, hosted by acclaimed reviewer Huon Hooke, starts at 6:30pm and costs AUD $289 per person; spaces are limited and bookings are essential.
Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour: Champagne Bar
The Champagne Bar at Sofitel Sydney Darling Harbour offers spectacular sunset views, French-inspired bites (including oysters), vintage cuvées, and the rare sabrage experience—opening your bottle with a saber. Open Tuesday to Saturday, it’s a luxurious spot for pre-dinner drinks or late-night celebrations during Champagne Day week.
Quay Restaurant: Champagne Pairing Menu
Quay Restaurant debuts a Champagne pairing menu from International Champagne Day (October 24) through December 30, 2025. Executive Chef Peter Gilmore’s renowned six- or eight-course tasting menus are paired with celebrated champagnes including Charles Heidsieck and Bollinger. The six-course pairing is priced at $650 per person.
