JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC
KNOW YOUR CALENDAR TO MAKE THE MOST OF SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING
If you’ve ever wondered what the next marketing strategy might be, then look no further. Our complete guide covers significant events for every calendar month. Moreover, each event has trending hashtags that can be used to supercharge your business’ social media presence. With millions of users worldwide, social media platforms represent a near-infinite pool of potential customers. Making the most of social media marketing is a must to cement customer loyalty and lock in new business.
Under each special date, you will find a summary of what the event signifies. With some careful planning and the right hashtags, social media can do the legwork for you. Either browse our complete list or head straight to a designated month. Where special events are not listed as international, the date corresponds to the UK calendar. For some countries, the same event may take place on a different date.
JANUARY
The entire month — Veganuary
The idea is simple: For January, people are encouraged to try going vegan. Aimed at reducing the suffering of animals, improving health, and lessening the impact on the environment, Veganuary has steadily gained traction every year. Consumers have become significantly more conscious of what they are eating thanks to the information available on social media.
#Veganuary, #Vegan, #PlantBased, #VeganFood
1st — New Year’s Day
“New year, new you” is how the saying goes. Many customers will ditch junk food and alcohol and start going to the gym to live healthier lives. This is the ideal time to encourage customers to try something new or launch a new product. Interest will be at an all-time high as consumers look to broaden their horizons.
#NewYears, #NewYearsEve, #NewYearsResolution, #NewYearNewYou
5th — Golden Globes
Since 1944, the **Hollywood Foreign Press Association has awarded films with Golden Globes for categories including Best Motion Picture, Best Actress/Actor, and Best Television Series. Hosted in the US, it is not uncommon for households around the world to gather and watch the ceremony.
**Hollywood Foreign Press Association – https://www.goldenglobes.com/hfpa
#GoldenGlobes, #Speech, #Award, #Films #BestActress #HFPA
20th — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
This American federal holiday marks the birthday of civil rights activist Martin Luther King Jr. His role as the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism has had a profound effect on people across the world. It is officially observed in all 50 American states.
#MartinLutherKing, #MLK, #MartinLutherKingJr, #MLKDay
25th — Robert Burns Night
Burns Night celebrates the life and works of Scottish poet Robert Burns, who died in 1796. Haggis, scotch whisky, and readings of Burns’ poetry take place at formal and informal dinners. Poetry by Burns includes “To a Mouse…”, “Tam o’ Shanter”, and “The Twa Dogs”.
#BurnsNight, #Scotland, #Haggis, #Scottish
25th — Chinese New Year (Until Feb. 8th)
Celebrating the start of a new year, Chinese New Year is also known as the Lunar New Year. Lasting roughly 15 days, the event is filled with several traditional activities, including the giving of gifts and red envelopes containing money. Each year, a different animal is celebrated, with 2020 being the Year of the Rat.
#ChineseNewYear, #CNY, #LunarNewYear, #IMLEK
FEBRUARY
2nd — Super Bowl LIV
Every year, the National Football League hosts its championship playoff in front of tens of millions of fans worldwide. The halftime celebrations and adverts have become just as exciting as the game itself. Companies pay millions to have their specially created adverts featured. The Super Bowl has also gained significant repute outside of the US in recent years.
#SuperBowel, #NFL, #Football, #Patriots
9th — Oscars / Academy Awards
Internationally recognised, the Academy Awards celebrates artistic and technical merit in film. The iconic Oscar statuette has been given over 3,000 times for a variety of category awards. Much like the Golden Globes, it is not uncommon for groups of friends to sit down to watch the entire ceremony.
#Oscars, #AcademyAwards, #Movies, #Hollywood
14th — Valentine’s Day
Although initially a Western Christian celebration of St. Valentinus, Valentine’s Day has captured the minds and, more importantly, the hearts of people across the world. Many single people use the day as an opportunity to declare their love or admiration for someone else. Gifts, chocolates, flowers, and a card usually accompany the day.
#ValentinesGift, #ValentinesDay, #Valentines, #Love
25th — Shrove Tuesday
Although the religious connotations of Shrove Tuesday may have subsided over the years, the desire to eat pancakes in celebration has not. Stacked high, social media is bombarded with the weird and wonderful toppings that people like to have with their pancakes.
#PancakeDay, #Pancakes, #Pancake, #PancakeRecipe
MARCH
8th — International Women’s Day
International Women’s Day is not a celebration of a particular government, charity, or institution. Instead, it is a day devoted to the achievement of women across the globe, whether that be political, cultural, or social achievements. The first International Women’s Day took place in 1909 and is now commemorated worldwide.
#InternationalWomensDay, #Celebrating, #IWD, #WomensDay
17th — St. Patrick’s Day
If you like public parades, festivals, and traditional Irish music, then St. Patrick’s Day is the ideal yearly event. A homage to all things Irish, St. Patrick’s Day is a huge tourist event for Ireland. Popular themes include shamrocks, green clothes and accessories, and pints of Guinness.
#StPatricksDay, #Irish, #StPattysDay, #Shamrock
22nd — Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a chance to thank the mother of the family, or those who have taken a maternal role. Mother’s Day is one of several holidays devoted to family members, with locations such as the UK, Ireland, and Nigeria celebrating in March. (Also see May for Mother’s Day)
#Mothers, #Motherhood, #Mother, #Mom #WhyILoveMyMom
APRIL
1st — April Fools’ Day
April Fools’ Day is an excellent opportunity for businesses to show their more relaxed or fun side on social media platforms. Although the exact origins of April Fools’ are unknown, it has become globally recognised as a day of practical jokes, hijinks, and comedic tweets.
#AprilFools, #AprilFoolsDay, #Memes, #Prank
2nd — International Children’s Book Day
Celebrated since 1967, International Children’s Book Day (ICBD) is a day dedicated to inspiring a love for reading among children. Over the years, this has evolved to include sponsored raffles and children dressing up as their favourite book characters. Many companies offer to have their employees read to children during the week on which ICBD falls.
#BookDay, #ICBD, #ChildrensBook, #Kids
12th — Easter
Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. In popular culture, Easter is signified by the giving and receiving of chocolate eggs. A favourite holiday among children, many families take part in Easter egg hunts, both online and at local parks.
#Easter, #Spring, #Homemade, #EasterBunny
22nd — Earth Day
Earth Day is a chance to show support for the preservation of the environment. Whether that be at a local level or on a larger scale, it is marked by numerous events in countries around the world. It was on Earth Day in 2016 that over 120 countries signed the Paris Agreement.
#EarthDay, #Earth, #Nature, #HappyEarthDay
23rd — Ramadan (Until May 23rd)
Ramadan marks the start of a month-long fast undertaken by Muslims around the world. During Ramadan, food or drink cannot be consumed between dawn and sunset. Lasting between 29 and 30 days, Muslims also typically increase the offering of prayers and good deeds during Ramadan.
#Ramadan, #Islam, #Allah, #Muslim
23rd — St. George’s Day
Saint George is the patron saint of England and specific regions of Portugal and Spain. He is famed for having slain a dragon and for being a protector of the people. The day was initially marked with a huge feast, but over time the focus has shifted. The day is still widely celebrated on social media, with users posting English flags or attending themed parades.
#StGeorgesDay, #England, #HopeAndGlory, #Dragon
MAY
4th — Star Wars Day
“May the fourth be with you” is a catchphrase that plays on the iconic line, “May the force be with you” from the Star Wars films. Thanks to social media, celebrations of Star Wars Day have grown significantly in recent years. Although not initially endorsed by Lucas Films, they too have shown their support for it with annual events.
#StarWarsDay, #StarWars, #StarWarsFan, #StarWarsGeek #MayTheFourth
5th — Cinco de Mayo
A Latin American holiday, Cinco de Mayo is used to commemorate the Mexican Army’s victory at the Battle of Puebla over the Second Empire (France under the rule of Emperor Napoleon III). Since the late ‘90s, the annual celebration is also used to highlight Mexican-American culture with festivals, local cuisine, and parades.
#CincoDeMayo, #MexicanFood, #Tacos, #Tequila
10th — Mother’s Day
If you live in the US, Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Greece, or Germany, then you are among 98 countries who celebrate Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May. Despite the date change, the theme remains the same—celebrating mothers and maternal figures.
#Mothers, #Motherhood, #Mother, #Mom #WhyILoveMyMom
JUNE
2nd — Leave The Office Early Day
Let’s face it, no matter where you are in the world, we could all do with working fewer hours. Leave The Office Early Day was originally intended to highlight the number of hours a week, the average American works. Now, businesses the world over have taken on the premise, offering their workers the chance to leave early.
#LeaveTheOfficeEarlyDay, #EarlyFinish, #OffWorkEarly, #LeavingEarly
21st — Father’s Day
Just like Mother’s Day, Father’s Day is a celebration of fatherhood, parental bonds, and those who have taken on the role of a father figure. Father’s Day has been celebrated since the Middle Ages among Catholic communities. The day is globally recognised, but the actual date of the day does vary depending on where in the world you live.
#FatherDay, #MothersDay, #Love, #Dad
21st — International Day of Yoga
Yoga is enjoyed by people of all ages around the world. It is practised as a way to restore physical, mental, and spiritual harmony through the use of controlled movements and breathing. The United Nations recognised the universal appeal of Yoga by creating the International Day of Yoga in 2014.
#Yoga, #Fitness, #Meditation, #YogaInspiration, #Vinyasa
JULY
4th — Independence Day
The 4th of July is an iconic day for Americans, not only because of the 1996 blockbuster, because Independence Day marks the day the US declared its independence from the monarch of Britain. Outdoor celebrations, public events, and firework displays are just some of the ways Americans all over the world celebrate this patriotic event.
#IndependenceDay, #JulyFourth, #Fireworks, #America
14th — Bastille Day
Bastille Day signifies a turning point in the French revolution as freedom fighters stormed the Bastille. One of the largest military parades in Europe takes place on Bastille Day, with forces making their way down the Champs-Élysées in front of the French president and elected officials.
#BastilleDay, #Paris, #France, #Revolution
17th — World Emoji Day
Smiley faces, thumbs up, and monkeys covering their ears, eyes, and mouths have taken the world by storm. From humble beginnings, emojis have evolved into a multi-million-dollar industry. Since 2014, those little emoticons have had their own dedicated day, with a range of social media events taking place to commemorate the power of emojis.
#WorldEmojiDay, #MyFaveEmoji, #Emoji, #Emoticons
30th — International Friendship Day
What started as a holiday created by greeting card companies has grown into a worldwide event on social media platforms. The day is typically marked with the exchanging of flowers, cards, or wristbands to celebrate friendship between people. The 30th is the date given by the United Nations, but several countries celebrate International Friendship Day on alternative dates.
#FriendshipDay, #Friendship, #Love, #Friends #BestFriend
AUGUST
8th — International Cat Day
Created to raise awareness for animal welfare, International Cat Day is a celebration of all things feline! Love them or hate them, there is no denying that kittens are a fantastic way to capture people’s attention. Help spread awareness of cat welfare by celebrating International Cat Day with your best cat pictures.
#InternationalCatDay, #MaineCoon, #Cats, #BestMeow
8th — Universal & International Infinity Day
Held on the 8th day of the 8th month, Infinity Day or Universal & International Infinity Day was devised to promote philosophy and philosophising among everyone. Despite being a lesser-known calendar event, it is a great chance to encourage thought among social media followers. Now, the real question is, to post, or not to post?
#Infinity, #InfinityDay, #Philosophy, #Plato
19th — World Photo Day
Whether you are a novice photographer or an aspiring professional, World Photo Day is aimed at inspiring positivity through photography. World Photo Day reaches a global audience of over 500 million people and is also used to help raise money for charities through photo auctions.
#WorldPhotographyDay, #Photography, #PhotoOfTheDay, #World
26th — International Dog Day
International Dog Day is the second day in August dedicated to raising awareness about animal welfare. This time, rather than their feline friends, canines take the limelight. Many people choose to celebrate International Dog day by posting pictures of their beloved companions. Encourage your customers to do so and watch your social media engagement skyrocket.
#DogDay, #Dogs, #DogLife, #DogLover
SEPTEMBER
4th — National Wildlife Day
National Wildlife Day is not only an opportunity for everyone to learn about the different animal species that inhabit our planet, but to raise money for their preservation. The day is focussed on raising awareness for endangered species, and on the conservation efforts made by nature reserves and other sanctuaries.
#NationalWildlifeDay, #Wildlife, #Nature, #WWF
12th — National Video Games Day
Video games are played to inspire, escape, relax, and interact with people from all walks of life. Although primarily an American holiday, the interest in National Video Games Day is spreading worldwide. Encourage your customers to take part in a marathon gaming session and post their pictures to social media.
#NationalVideoGamesDay, #VideoGame, #Gaming, #Game
19th — Oktoberfest
If you like beer and funfairs, then Oktoberfest is the only folk festival you need to attend. Hosted annually in Munich, Bavaria, Oktoberfest lasts between 16 and 18 days. During that time, up to 7 million litres of Oktoberfest beers are enjoyed alongside games, amusement rides, and authentic Bavarian cuisine.
#Oktoberfest, #Wiesn, #Germany, #Beer
21st — International Day of Peace
Alternatively known as World Peace Day, the event is sanctioned by the United Nations. As the name implies, the day is dedicated to peace and abstinence from violence and war. On the UN website, a map of global events lets people know what is going on near them to celebrate this day of peace.
#Peace, #Love, #Hope, #PeaceDay
OCTOBER
2nd — World Smile Day
Held annually since 1999, World Smile Day was created by Harvey Ball. Harvey created the original smiley emoji that we use every day. The slogan of World Smile Day, “Improving the world, one smile at a time”, is used to spread happiness and acts of kindness across social media platforms.
#Smiling, #Smile, #SpreadHappiness, #WorldSmileDay
10th — World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day was first created by the international organisation World Federation for Mental Health. It is a day for global health, education, and awareness. More than that, though, the day advocates against the stigma associated with mental health, and encourages people to share their stories on social media.
#WorldMentalHealthDay, #MentalHealthAwareness, #MentalHealth, #MentalIllness
31st — Halloween
Beneath the elaborate costumes and meticulous make-up, Halloween (also known as All Hallows’ Eve, Allhalloween, and All Saints’ Eve) was initially meant as a tradition to honour the dead and fallen faith figures. Now, pop culture has taken over, and it’s used as a chance to dress up to trick or treat, or to impress friends and significant others with cheeky costumes. You know what they say—if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em!
#Halloween, #HappyHalloween, #TrickOrTreat, #HalloweenParty
NOVEMBER
The entire month — Movember
During the month of Movember, men are encouraged to grow a moustache to raise awareness for health issues including prostate cancer and suicide. Since it first started in 2004, events have spread across the globe, and The Movember Foundation is one of the top non-government organisations in the world.
Oct. 31–Nov. 2nd — Day of the Dead
Not to be confused with Halloween, Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos) is a Mexican holiday to commemorate those who have passed. Taking place over several days, friends and family come together and celebrate, rather than mourn. It is believed that on the Day of the Dead, loved ones can communicate and join in on the celebrations.
#DiaDeMuertos, #DayOfTheDead, #Calavera, #MexicanArt
5th — Bonfire Night
Marked with bonfires and fireworks, Bonfire Night has different meanings depending on where in the world it is celebrated. In the UK, Bonfire Night celebrates Guy Fawkes’ failure to blow up the parliament buildings, while in Northern Ireland, Bonfire Night signifies the Battle of the Boyne.
#BonfireNight, #Bonfire, #FriendsAndBonfires, #NightSky
11th — Armistice Day
On the 11th November, at the 11th hour of the day, 1918, German and Allied forces laid down their arms during World War I. The day is not only marked in France but a host of Allied nations. It may also go by the name of Remembrance Day or Veterans Day depending on where commemorations are held.
#RemembranceDay, #PeaceBuilding, #Peace, #Justice
11th — Singles’ Day
Although primarily a Chinese e-commerce holiday for people to celebrate their pride in being single, many Western cultures have started to adopt the tradition. The day isn’t all doom and gloom though, as many Chinese families organise parties and events for single people to meet. Online shopping figures grow every year, and Singles’ Day has become the largest online and offline shopping day in the world.
14th — Diwali (Until Nov. 19th)
Diwali, also referred to as the Festival of Lights, is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists the world over. Taking place every autumn or spring (depending on the hemisphere), the celebrations signify “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance”. It is customary to host firework displays, huge family feasts, and for people to light up their homes, inside and out, with candles.
#Diwali, #India, #DiwaliGifts, #FestivalOfLights
26th — Thanksgiving
A national holiday that needs little introduction, Thanksgiving isn’t just for Americans. Many Canadians and several of the Caribbean islands also celebrate Thanksgiving, alongside a growing number of European countries. The day is typically marked with a Thanksgiving dinner (turkey being the number one choice of meat) and celebratory parades. Like some of the other entries on this list, Thanksgiving is celebrated on different days depending on the country.
#Thanksgiving, #Thankful, #Love, #Holiday
27th — Black Friday
A relatively new phenomenon, especially when compared to some of the more traditional holidays, Black Friday looks like it’s here to stay. Used to signify the start of the Christmas shopping period, it is one of the busiest shopping days of the year, both offline and online. Substantial discounts and flash sales have become standard practice for any retailer looking to capitalise on this event.
#BlackFriday, #Sale, #ChristmasSeason, #BlackFridaySale
30th — Cyber Monday
Just in case you didn’t get everything you wanted on Black Friday, Cyber Monday offers another chance for deep discounts from e-commerce retailers. It provides an opportunity for smaller, independent companies to capitalise on the considerable spending taking place at the end of November/beginning of December. Look out for plenty of sale banners, promotional emails, and expected global spending of over $6.5 billion!
#CyberMonday, #Sale, #CyberMondaySale, #Deals
DECEMBER
6th — Saint Nicholas Day
No, Father Christmas hasn’t come earlier—but he is on tour. Think of Saint Nicholas Day as a warm-up for the big event. Celebrated by Western and Eastern Christian countries, it is customary to attend mass and other services of worship. Saint Nicholas was associated with being the bringer of gifts, and over time, his influence would lead to the Santa Claus and Father Christmas figures we have come to know and love.
#SaintNicholas, #StNicholasDay, #Gifts, #Worship
13th — Christmas Jumper Day
Who doesn’t love an awful Christmas jumper? Now, not only can you wear the silliest woolly jumper you own, but you can support the Save the Children charity at the same time. Whether you are at work, school, or just heading for a night out, Christmas Jumper Day is a fantastic way to start a conversation and raise some money for a good cause. Now, thanks to social media, everyone can see your most embarrassing Christmas jumpers in action.
#ChristmasJumperDay, #ChristmasSpirit, #SaveTheChildren, #ChristmasJumpers
24–25th — Christmas Eve / Christmas
After a year of nonstop social media activity, the time has finally come—the culmination of all your hard work—Christmas. After thanking all your customers for their loyalty throughout the year, it’s time to kick off the shoes, chill out in front of an open fire, and spend some much needed time with loved ones. Don’t get too comfy though, for most retailers like to start their sales on Boxing Day!
#ChristmasDay, #Christmas, #ChristmasTime, #ChristmasGift
