World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast

The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a great way to meet neighbors and friends as the community sits down at Springfield’s breakfast table in celebration of the city’s May 14, 1636 founding. The menu includes hot, hearty pancakes, bacon, coffee, juice and milk, and lots of local talent.

History

In 1976, Springfield was celebrating the country’s bicentennial and decided to throw a breakfast on Main Street. Ten years later, when the city was celebrating it’s 350th anniversary, another breakfast bash was thrown and there began the friendly competition with Battle Creek, Michigan, the self-proclaimed “Cereal Capital.”

Each year, the two communities battled it out for the “World’s Largest Breakfast” title. First, the focus was on the length of the breakfast table. Springfield set-up a table stretching 2,500 feet on which they dished out 24,000 servings. A month later, the folks in Battle Creek out did the Springfield breakfast by 200 feet of table and 26,787 servings.

In 1987, Springfield switched to cereal and out did Battle Creek with a 3,700- foot table and 27,067 servings of cereal. The table stretched ten city blocks down Main Street, from Gridiron Street to Union Street. Before the “Breakfast Bowl” trophy could be engraved, Battle Creek assembled their own 3,700 foot table and served 30,413 servings. Springfield claimed fowl for their competitor’s table was not in a straight line. From then on, the table got shorter and the focus was on servings until recent years when Battle Creek decided not to release the number of bowls they dished out.

The “World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast” made the move from Main Street to the Eastfield Mall parking lot in 2005 and 2006. The cooking tents and two entertainment areas were strategically placed and then surrounded by volunteers serving coffee, milk and juice. After the hot and hearty breakfast, participants moved in doors for shopping, movies and more.

With the support of the Springfield Business Improvement District and the Sheraton Springfield, the “World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast” made the move to Main Street in Downtown Springfield in 2007. The Springfield Business Improvement District committed their support through 2009, and for 2010.

In 2013, MGM Springfield committed their support to the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast and continue to sponsor the event.

May 16, 2026

8am to 11am

Main Street from State Street to Bridge Street

Admission - Free

Breakfast Tickets

• Adults - $3 per person
• Children - $1

Menu

• Pancakes
• Smithfield Foods Bacon
• Syrup
• Cabot Creamery Butter
• Little Bites
• Coffee
• H. P. Hood Milk
• H. P. Hood Orange Juice
• Springfield Water

Parking - $10

• I-91 South Garage
• I-91 North Garage
• Convention Center Carpark
• Columbus Center Garage
• Union Station Garage

2025

ENTERTAINMENT

Court Square

All States Materials

Monsons Savings Bank

Springfield Police Department

Springfield Fire Department

TD Bank Plaza

Sponsored by TD Bank

TD - TD Bank Moscot

Prize Wheel

Entertainment Stage 

Sponsor by GoNetSpeed

Bruce Landon Way Stage

8:00AM to 9:30AM - Sci-Tech Jazz Band 

9:30AM to 10:00AM - Speaking Program with St. Michael's Academy Chorus

10:00AM to 10:30AM - Ohana School of Performing Arts  

10:30AM to 11:00AM - Mary Ann's Studio of Dance

Harrison Avenue Stage

8:00AM to 9:00AM - Red Grass Ministires - BRKN Music

9:00AM to 9:30AM 

9:30AM to 10:00AM 

10:00AM to 10:30AM - Libertas Academy Charter School

10:30AM to 11AM - Springfield Prep Charter School

Costumed Characters

Boomer from the Springfield Thunderbirds

2025 EXHIBITORS

• All In Energy
• All States Materials
• Behavioral Health Network
• Community Autism Services
• Community Bank
• Country Bank
• ECOS - Springfield Public Schools
• Edward Jones
• GoNetSpeed
• Greater Springfield Habitat for Humanity
• Hampden District Attorney's Office
• HCS Head Start
• League of Women Voters
• Martin Luther King Charter School
• Massachusetts Department of Children and Families
• Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General
• Monson Savings Bank
• Pheonix Charter Academy Springfield
• Pioneer Valley Yacht Club
• Renewal by Anderson
• Scouting America Western Massachusetts Council
• Springfield Armory National Historic Site
• Springfield Kilite Band
• Springfield Museums
• Springfield Water Department
• SquareOne
• St. Michael's Academy
• Stavros Center for Independent Living
• Thom Springfield Infant Toddler Services
• US Future Leadership Foundation
• ValleyBike Share
• Western Mass Area of Narcotics
• Western Mass News
• WWLP-TV22

2026

Sponsor

• MGM Springfield

Additional Support

• All States Materials
• GoNetSpeed
• Monson Savings Bank

Supporters

• AM Lithography
• American Medical Response
• Baystate Health
• Bimbo Bakeries
• Cabot Creamery
• Costco
• Elegant Affairs
• Hampden County Sheriff’s Department
• H. P. Hood
• Home Grown Springfield (Sodexo)
• Mansfield Paper Company
• MassMutual Center
• Mercy Medical Center
• MGM Springfield
• Performance Foodservice
• Quality Beverage
• Sheraton Springfield
• Smithfield Foods
• Springfield Business Improvement District
• Springfield Department of Parks, Buildings and Recreation Management
• Sprinfield Department of Public Works
• Springfield Fire Department
• Springfield Parking Authority
• Springfield Police Departmet
• Yellowstone Landscape

Volunteers

• 94.7 WMAS - Audacy Springfield
• Bethel Childcare Services
• The MacDuffie School
• Metro Center Association
• The Q 99.7
• Rock 102
• SATCO (PVTA)
• Springfield Thunderbirds
• Springfield UNICO
• UMass Five Federal Credit Union
• U.S. Postal Service
• Western Mass News
• Western Mass SGRhos & Friends
• Western Mass Square and Round Dance Association
• Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

What Is the World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast?

The World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast is a beloved annual community event in Springfield, Massachusetts, celebrating the city’s founding on May 14, 1636. Residents and visitors gather downtown to enjoy a classic breakfast of pancakes, bacon, coffee, juice, and milk while connecting with neighbors and friends.

First held in 1976 as part of America’s Bicentennial celebration, the event has become a long-standing tradition, taking place every year since 1986 during Springfield’s 350th anniversary.

Where Is the Pancake Breakfast Held?

The event takes place in Downtown Springfield, MA, along Main Street between State Street and Bridge Street.

When Is the 2026 Pancake Breakfast?

The next World’s Largest Pancake Breakfast will be held on:

Saturday, May 16, 2026

Time: 8:00 AM – 11:00 AM

What are the ticket prices and admission?

Event admission: Free

Breakfast tickets:

Adults: $3

Children: $1

Beverages: Free

Payment: Cash only

Tickets are available for purchase at the event—no advance purchase required.

My child received a ticket for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast at school.  Is it really free?

Yes.  65,000 free tickets were distrubuted through area schools to the students.

What’s Included with a Breakfast Ticket?

Each ticket includes:

Pancakes with butter and syrup

Bacon (while supplies last)

Where can I park near the event:

Convenient parking garages in downtown Springfield include:

I-91 South Garage – 1620 E Columbus Ave

I-91 North Garage – 1870 E Columbus Ave

Convention Center Carpark – 41 Harrison Ave

Columbus Center Garage – 150 Bridge Street

Union Station Garage – 1755 Main Street

Will roads to closed for the World's Largest Pancake Breakfast?

Main Street (State Street to Bridge Street) will be closed until approximately 2 PM.

Partial closures begin the Friday before the event for setup.

What are the entertainment and activities at the event?

Live entertainment

Local exhibitors

Family-friendly activities

Speaking Program:

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM

Bruce Landon Way stage (outside the MassMutual Center)

For a complete list visit, If You Go . . . 

Who can attend?

Everyone is welcome—this is a free, family-friendly community event.

Is the event rain or shine?

Yes, the breakfast takes place regardless of weather.

Do I need to buy tickets in advance?

No, tickets are sold at each cooking tent. on-site during the event.

Can I volunteer or exhibit?

Volunteer and exhibitor spots are currently full.

Who prepares the food?

Pancakes are cooked by dedicated community volunteers, with food provided by local businesses.