As a small business owner, it's essential to stay up-to-date with upcoming holidays so you can plan ahead and maximise your marketing efforts. To help you get started, we've put together a list of holidays that provide great opportunities for small businesses to promote their products and services. From traditional holidays like Valentine's Day and Mother's Day to more unconventional ones like National Small Business Week and Pi Day, there's something for everyone on this list. So take a look and start planning today!
Holidays for Small Business Marketing
As a business owner, you can plan ahead and target those moments during this festive season when people are most likely to buy from you – whether it's through giveaways, discounts, or other specific campaigns tailored just for your customers.
January
Month or week-long celebrations
- International Creativity Month
- Bath Safety Month
- Blood Donor Month
- Braille Literacy Month
- National CBD Month
- Hobby Month
- Hot Tea Month
- Mentoring Month
- Soup Month
- Train Your Dog Month
- Letter Writing Week (Second full week of January)
- National Pizza Week (Second Sunday through Saturday)
Holidays
- January 1 – Apple Gifting Day, Bloody Mary Day, Copyright Law Day, Hangover Day, New Year’s Day.
- January 2 – Buffet Day, Cream Puff Day, Pet Travel Safety Day, Science Fiction Day, Swiss Cheese Day, Personal Trainer Awareness Day.
- January 3 - Chocolate Covered Cherry Day, International Mind-Body Wellness Day, J.R.R. Tolkien Day.
- January 4 - Dimpled Chad Day, Pop Music Chart Day, Spaghetti Day
- January 5 - Bird Day, National Keto Day, Whipped Cream Day
- January 6 - Bean Day, Shortbread Day
- January 7 – Old Rock Day, Tempura Day
- January 8 – Bubble Bath Day, Elvis Presley's Birthday (Memorial), Joy Germ’s Birthday (Memorial)
- January 9 - Law Enforcement Appreciation Day
- January 10 – Cut Your Energy Costs Day
- January 11 – Step in A Puddle and Splash Your Friends' day
- January 12 – National Gluten-Free Day
- January 13 – Rubber Ducky Day, Make Your Dreams Come True Day
- January 14 - Dress Up Your Pet Day, Hot Pastrami Sandwich Day
- January 15 - Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday (Memorial), Hat Day
- January 16 – Appreciate a Dragon Day
- January 17 – Kid Inventors' day
- January 18 – Thesaurus Day
- January 19 – Popcorn Day
- January 20 – Cheese Lovers' day
- January 21 – Granola Bar day
- January 22 - Answer Your Cat's Questions day
- January 23 - Handwriting Day
- January 24 - Peanut Butter day
- January 25 - Opposite Day
- January 26 - Spouse's day
- January 27 – Chocolate Cake Day
- January 28 – Data Privacy Day
- January 29 - Puzzle Day
- January 30 - Croissant Day
- January 31 – Backward Day, Inspire Your Heart with Art Day
February
Month or week-long celebrations
- African Heritage & Health Week (First full week of February)
- Black History Month
- Cancer Prevention Month
- Embroidery Month
- Library Lover's Month
- International Friendship Month
- National Canned Food Month
- Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
- Snack Foods Month
Holidays
- February 1 – Baked Alaska Day, Bubble Gum Day
- February 2 – Tater Tot Day
- February 3 – Carrot Cake Day
- February 4 - Create A Vacuum Day
- February 5 - World Nutella Day
- February 6 - Lame Duck Day
- February 7 - Fettuccine Alfredo Day
- February 8 – Kite Flying day, Laugh and Get Rich day
- February 9 – Pizza Pie day
- February 10 – Umbrella day, Teddy Bear's Picnic day
- February 11 – Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk day
- February 12 - Plum Pudding day
- February 13 – Get A Different Name day
- February 14 – Valentine's day, National Cream Filled Chocolates Day
- February 15 – Gum drop day, Singles Awareness day
- February 16 – Almond Day
- February 17 – Random Acts of Kindness Day
- February 18 – Drink Wine Day
- February 19 - Chocolate Mint Day
- February 20 - Love Your Pet day
- February 21 - Sticky Bun Day
- February 22 - Be Humble Day
- February 23 – International Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day
- February 24 - Tortilla Chip day
- February 25 - Clam Chowder Day
- February 26 - Pistachio Day
- February 27 – Polar Bear Day
- February 28 - Floral Design Day
March
Month or week-long celebrations
- National Craft Month
- National Nutrition Month
- National Peanut Month
- Save A Spider Month
- Umbrella Month
- Women's History Month
- Craft Month
Holidays
- March 1 - National Pig Day, Peanut Butter Lovers' Day
- March 2 - Old Stuff Day
- March 3 – What If Cats and Dogs Had Opposable Thumbs Day
- March 4 – Grammar Day
- March 5 - Cheese Doodle day
- March 6 - Frozen Food Day
- March 7 – Cereal day
- March 8 – International Women's Day, Peanut Cluster Day
- March 9 - Meatball Sub Day
- March 10 – Blueberry Popover day
- March 11 – Oatmeal-Nut Waffles day
- March 12 - Plant a Flower Day
- March 13 – Coconut Torte day
- March 14 - Potato Chip Day
- March 15 – Everything You Think Is Wrong Day
- March 16 – Artichoke Day
- March 17 - Submarine Sandwich day, St. Patrick's Day
- March 19 – Poultry day, Chocolate Caramel Day
- March 20 - Ravioli day
- March 21 – French Bread Day
- March 22 - Water day
- March 23 – National Chip and Dip day
- March 24 - World Tuberculosis day, Chocolate Covered Raisins day
- March 25 - Waffle Day
- March 26 – Make Up Your Own Holiday Day
- March 27 – Spanish Paella day
- March 28 - Black Forest Cake day
- March 29 - Lemon Chiffon Cake day
- March 30 – Take A Walk In The Park Day
- March 31 – Bunsen Burner Day, Earmuffs Day
April
Month or week-long celebrations
- Keep America Beautiful Month
- Brunch Month
- English Language Month
- Lawn and Garden Month
- Poetry Month
- Stress Awareness Month
- Volunteer Month
Holidays
- April 1 – Sourdough Bread day, April Fool's day
- April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly day
- April 3 – Chocolate Mousse day
- April 4 – Caramel Day
- April 5 - Deep Dish Pizza day
- April 6 - Fresh Tomato Day
- April 7 – Coffee Cake day
- April 8 - Empanada Day
- April 9 – Chinese Almond Cookie day
- April 10 - Cinnamon Crescent day
- April 11 - Cheeseball Day
- April 12 – Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
- April 13 – Peach Cobbler day
- April 14 - Pecan Torte Day
- April 15 - Glazed Spiral Ham Day
- April 16 – Eggs Benedict Day
- April 17 - Cheese Fondue day
- April 18 - Animal Crackers Day
- April 19 – Garlic day
- April 20 – Pineapple Upside Down Cake day
- April 21 – Chocolate Covered Cashews Day
- April 22 - Jelly Bean Day
- April 23 – Cherry Cheesecake Day
- April 24 - Pigs-in-a-Blanket day
- April 25 – Zucchini Breadday
- April 26 - Pretzel Day
- April 27 - Prime Rib Day
- April 28 - Blueberry Pie day
- April 29 – Shrimp Scampi Day
- April 30 - Oatmeal Cookie Day
May
Month or week-long celebrations
- Barbecue Month
- Bike Month
- Gardening for Wildlife Month
- Hamburger Month
- National Egg Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports month
Holidays
- May 1 - Chocolate Parfait day, Lemonade Day
- May 2 – Truffles Day
- May 3 - Raspberry Tart day
- May 4 - Candied Orange Peel Day
- May 5 – Cinco De Mayo, Apple Pie Day
- May 6 – Crepe Suzette day
- May 7 – Chocolate Truffle Day
- May 8 - Coconut Macaroon day
- May 9 – Asparagus Day
- May 10 – Shrimp Day
- May 11 - Eat What You Want Day
- May 12 - Nutty Fudge Day
- May 13 - Apple Strudel day
- May 14 – Potato Salad day
- May 15 – Chocolate Chip Day
- May 16 – BBQ Ribs day
- May 17 - Cherry Cobbler day
- May 18 - Cheese Soufflé Day
- May 20 - Quiche Lorraine day
- May 21 – Strawberries and Cream Day
- May 22 - Tapioca Pudding Day
- May 23 – Tuna Casserole day
- May 24 - Chocolate éclair Day
- May 25 – Brownie Day
- May 26 – Cherry Pie day
- May 27 - Spinach Dip day
- May 28 – Hamburger Day
- May 29 – Macaroon day
- May 30 - Mint JulepDay
- May 31 - Baked Alaska Day
June
Month or week-long celebrations
- Audiology Awareness Month
- Candy Month
- Great Outdoors Month
- Iced Tea Month
- LGBTQIA+ Month
- Men's Health Month
- Ocean Awareness Month
- Rivers and Oceans month
Holidays
- June 1 – Hazelnut Torte Day, Say Something Nice day
- June 2 - Rocky Road Day
- June 3 - Chocolate Macaroons day
- June 4 – Cheese Day
- June 5 – Gingerbread day
- June 6 - Applesauce Cake day
- June 7 - Chocolate ice cream day
- June 8 – Strawberry Shortcake Day
- June 9 - Lemon Meringue Pie day
- June 10 – Blackberry Cobbler Day
- June 11 – Corn on the Cob day
- June 12 - Peaches and Cream Day
- June 13 - Pecan Pie day
- June 14 – Ice Cream Soda Day
- June 15 - Lobster Roll day
- June 16 - Fudge Day
- June 17 – Apple turnover day
- June 18 – Gummy Bears Day
- June 19 – S’mores Day
- June 20 - Vanilla Milkshake day
- June 21 – Shortbread Cookies Day
- June 22 - Onion Rings Day
- June 23 - Ice Cream Sandwich Day
- June 24 – Chocolate Cake Day
- June 25 - Strawberry Rhubarb Pie day
- June 26 – Blueberry Muffin Day
- June 27 – Chili Dog Day
- June 28 - Caramel Popcorn Day
- June 29 - Chocolate Chip Cookies day
- June 30 - Sugar Cookie Day
July
Month or week-long celebrations
- Blueberry Month
- Grilling Month
- Ice Cream Month
- Picnic Month
Holidays
- July 1 – Creative Ice Cream Flavour Day, Gingersnap Day
- July 2 - Chocolate Pecan Pie day
- July 3 - Peach Cobbler Day
- July 4 - Barbecued Spareribs day
- July 5 - Apple Pie day
- July 6 – Macaroni & Cheese Day
- July 7 – Strawberry Sundae Day
- July 8 – Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream day
- July 9 - Sugar Wafer Cookies day
- July 10- Pick Blueberries Day
- July 11 – Blueberry Muffin day
- July 12 - Chocolate Eclair day
- July 13 – Pina Colada Day
- July 14 – Macaroon day
- July 15 – Corn on the Cob Day
- July 16 - Iced Tea Day
- July 17 - Peach Pie day
- July 18 – Nachos Day
- July 19 - Daiquiri Day
- July 20 – Lollipop Day
- July 21 – Junk Food day
- July 22 - Ice Cream Cone Day
- July 23 - Hot Fudge Sundae Day
- July 24 – Tequila Sunrise Day
- July 25 - Creme Brulee day
- July 26 – Peanut Butter Cup Day
- July 27 - Cheesecake Day
- July 28 - Tiramisu Day
- July 29 – Chicken Wings day
- July 30 – Raspberry Tart Day
- July 31 - Margarita Day
August
Month or week-long celebrations
- Al Fresco Month
- Black Business Month
- Get Ready For Kindergarten Month
- Goat Cheese Appreciation Month
- Peach Month
- Wellness Month
Holidays
- Farmers Market Week (First Week in August)
- Bargain Hunting Week (Second Week in August)
- International Beer Day (First Friday of August)
- Friendship Day (First Sunday of August)
- Bowling Day (Second Saturday of August)
- World Honey Bee Day (Third Saturday of August)
- August 1 – Minority Donor Awareness Day, Play Ball Day, Raspberry Cream Pie Day, Spider-man Day
- August 2 – Colouring Book Day, Ice Cream Sandwich Day
- August 3 – Grab Some Nuts Day, Watermelon Day
- August 4 – Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, White Wine Day
- August 5 – Oyster Day,
- August 6 – Fresh Breath Day, Mustard Day, Root Beer Float Day
- August 7 – Lighthouse Day, Psychic Day, Purple Heart Day
- August 8 – Frozen Custard Day, International Cat Day
- August 9 – Book Lovers Day, Rice Pudding Day
- August 10 - World Lion Day.
- August 11 – Son and Daughter Day
- August 12 – Vinyl Record Day, World Elephant Day
- August 13 – Filet Mignon Day, International Left Handers’ Day, Prosecco Day
- August 14 – Creamsicle Day, Financial Awareness Day
- August 15 – Lemon Meringue Pie Day
- August 16 – Rum Day, Roller Coaster Day
- August 17 – Black Cat Appreciation Day, Nonprofit Day, Thrift Shop Day
- August 18 – Bad Poetry Day, Fajita Day, Ice Cream Pie Day
- August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
- August 20 – Chocolate Pecan Pie Day, Radio Day
- August 21 – Senior Citizens Day
- August 22 – Bao Day, Take Your Cat to the Vet Day, World Plant Milk Day
- August 23 – Cuban Sandwich Day, Sponge Cake Day
- August 24 – Knife Day, Waffle Day
- August 25 – Banana Split Day, Secondhand Wardrobe Day, Whiskey Sour Day
- August 26 – Dog Day, Cherry Popsicle Day, Toilet Paper Day
- August 28 – Bow Tie Day, Red Wine Day
- August 29 – Chop Suey Day, Lemon Juice Day
- August 30 – Beach Day, Frankenstein Day, Holistic Pet Day, Toasted Marshmallow Day
- August 31 – Love Litigating Lawyers Day, Trail Mix Day
September
Month or week-long celebrations
- Autumn Begins
- Better Breakfast Month
- Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
- National Bourbon Heritage Month
- Organic Harvest Month
- Payroll Week
Holidays
- Grandparents’ Day (First Sunday after Labor Day)
- Labor Day (First Monday in September)
- World Beard Day (First Saturday in September)
- Hunting and Fishing Day (Fourth Saturday of September)
- World Day of the Deaf (Last Sunday of September)
- September 1 – American Chess Day
- September 2 – World Coconut Day
- September 3 – Doodle Day
- September 4 – Macadamia Nut Day, Wildlife Day
- September 5 – Cellulite Day, Cheese Pizza Day
- September 6 – Coffee Ice Cream Day
- September 7 – Buy a Book Day, Salami Day
- September 8 – Dog Walker Appreciation Day, International Literacy Day.
- September 9 – International Sudoku Day, Teddy Bear Day, Wiener Schnitzel Day.
- September 10 – Farmers’ Consumer Awareness Day, TV Dinner Day, World Suicide Prevention Day.
- September 11 – Patriot Day.
- September 12 – Chocolate Milkshake Day.
- September 13 – Coeliac Disease Awareness Day, Peanut Day, Roald Dahl Day.
- September 14 – Cream-Filled Doughnut Day.
- September 15 – Double Cheeseburger Day, Felt Hat Day, Greenpeace Day, Linguine Day, Tackle Kids Cancer Day.
- September 16 – Cinnamon Raisin Bread Day, Play-Doh Day.
- September 17 – Apple Dumpling Day, Monte Cristo Day, Pet Bird Day, Table Shuffleboard Day.
- September 18 – Cheeseburger Day, International Red Panda Day, Rice Krispies Treats Day.
- September 19 – Talk Like a Pirate Day.
- September 20 – Fried Rice Day, Pepperoni Pizza Day, Queso Day.
- September 21 – Chai Day, Miniature Golf Day, Pecan Cookie Day, World Alzheimer's Day.
- September 22 – Dear Diary Day, Elephant Appreciation Day, Ice Cream Cone Day, White Chocolate Day.
- September 23 – Celebrate Bisexuality Day, International Day of Sign Languages.
- September 24 – Punctuation Day.
- September 25 – Comic Book Day, Cooking Day, Lobster Day, Quesadilla Day, World Rivers Day.
- September 26 – Chimichanga Day, Dumpling Day, Family Day, Pancake Day, Mesothelioma Awareness Day.
- September 27 – Chocolate Milk Day, Crush a Can Day, Scarf Day, World Tourism Day.
- September 28 – Drink Beer Day, International Poke Day, Strawberry Cream Pie Day, World Rabies Day, Sons Day.
- September 29 – Biscotti Day, Coffee Day, World Heart Day.
- September 30 – Chewing Gum Day, International Podcast Day, International Translation Day.
October
Month or week-long celebrations
- National Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- National Pizza Month
Holidays
- October 1 – CD Player Day, World Vegetarian Day.
- October 2 – World Farm Animals Day.
- October 3 – Techies Day, Fruit Compote Day.
- October 4 – Do Something Nice Day, Frappe Day, National Taco Day.
- October 5 – Applesauce Cake Day, World Card Making Day.
- October 6 – German-American Day, Noodle-Day.
- October 7 – Fluffernutter Sandwich Day, Fragrance day.
- October 8 – American Touch Tag Day,
- October 9 – Mouldy Cheese day, Nuts and Seeds day.
- October 10 – Handbag day, Sauerkraut day.
- October 11– Emergency Nurses Day, International Newspaper Carrier Day, Sausage Pizza day
- October 12 – Farmer’s Market Week (Second week of October)
- October 13 – English Toffee Day, M&M’s Day.
- October 14– Be Bald and Be Free Day, Dessert Day.
- October 15 – Grouch day, Sweetened Condensed Milk Day.
- October 16 – Dictionary Day, National Feral Cat Day.
- October 17 – Black Poetry Day, Mulligan Stew and Chicken Noodle Soup day.
- October 18– Chocolate Cupcake day, No Beard Day.
- October 19 – Seafood Bisque day, Evaluate Your Life Day.
- October 20 – Brandied Fruit day, National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day.
- October 21 – Apple Day, Reptile Awareness Day.
- October 22 – Nut Day, Stuttering Awareness day.
- October 23 – Boston Cream Pie day, Mother-in-Law day.
- October 24– Bologna Day, United Nations Day.
- October 25 – Greasy Food day, World Pasta Day.
- October 26 – Mincemeat Pie day, Mother-in-Law day.
- October 27– Cranky Co-workers Day, Navy Day.
- October 28 – Chocolate Fountain day, International Animation Day.
- October 29 – Hermit Day, Oatmeal day.
- October 30 – Candy Corn day, Checklist Day.
- October 31 – Caramel Apple day, Halloween, Magic Day
November
Month or week-long celebrations
- National Diabetes Month
Holidays
- November 1 - Bison Day
- November 2 – Devilled Egg day
- November 3 – Sandwich Day, Cliché Day
- November 4– King Tut Day, National Stress Awareness Day
- November 5 – Doughnut Day, Gunpowder day
- November 6 – Saxophone day, Nachos and Cheese day
- November 7– Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds day, Hug a Bear Week (First week of November)
- November 8 – Cappuccino day
- November 9 – Scrapple day
- November 10– Forget-Me-Not Day, Vanilla Cupcake day
- November 11– Veteran’s Day
- November 12 – Chicken Soup for the Soul day
- November 13 – World Kindness Day, Sadie Hawkins day
- November 14 – Pickle day, Operating Room Nurse Day
- November 15– Clean Out Your Refrigerator day
- November 16– Button Day
- November 17– Homemade Bread Day, Take A Hike Day
- November 18 - Apple Cider day
- November 20 – Peanut Butter Fudge day
- November 21 - Gingerbread house day
- November 22 – Go For A Ride Day
- November 23 – Eat a Cranberry Day
- November 24– Celebrate Your Unique Talent day, Sesame Street Day
- November 25 – Blasé day, Parfait day
- November 26– Cake Day, Shopping Reminder Day (Last Saturday before Christmas)
- November 27 - Bavarian Cream Pie day
- November 28 – French Toast day, Red Planet Day
- November 29 – Electronic Greetings Day, Square Dance day
- November 30 – Mousse day
December
Month or week-long celebrations
- National Handwashing Awareness Month
- National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Holidays
- December 1 – Eat a Red Apple Day, Rosa Parks Day
- December 2– Special Education day, Fritters day
- December 3 – Make Cut-Out Snowflakes Day
- December 4 – Cookie Cutter day
- December 5 – Bathtub Party Day, Repeal Day (Prohibition)
- December 7 – Letter Writing Day, Cotton Candy day
- December 8 – Brownie Day
- December 9 – Pastry Day
- December 10– Human Rights day
- December 11– Mountain Climbing Day
- December 12– Gingerbread House Decorating Day, Poinsettia Day
- December 14 – Monkey Day, National Bouillabaisse Day
- December 15 – Cat Herders day
- December 16 – Chocolate Covered Anything day
- December 17– Maple Syrup day
- December 18 – Bake Cookies day
- December 19– Oatmeal Muffin day
- December 20 - Sangria Day
- December 21– Humbug Day, Crossword Puzzle day
- December 22– Date Nut Bread day
- December 23– Roots Day
- December 24– Egg Nog day
- December 25 – Christmas Day
- December 26– Candy Cane day
- December 27– Fruitcake day
- December 28 – Card Playing Day
- Decmeber 29– Tick Tock Day
- December 30 – Bacon Day, Bicarbonate of Soda Day
- December 31 - New Year’s Eve, Make Up Your Mind Day.
How can my business take advantage of unique and fun holidays?
Holidays offer businesses the perfect opportunity to make their brand stand out among the competition. From unique promotions and messaging to heightened levels of customer engagement, taking advantage of holidays can help your business break through the clutter and achieve its goals.
Create a social media strategy
Social media is the perfect platform to get creative and have fun with different holidays. From sharing timely photos and videos to offering special discounts or giveaways, you can use social media to create an emotional connection between your brand and customers.
Choose relevant holidays to your business
Choosing the most relevant holidays for your business is key to creating a successful marketing strategy. Consider what makes sense for your brand, such as National Small Business Week or Pi Day (for tech-focused companies), and then create campaigns that speak to your target audience.
Make use of hashtags
Hashtags are a great way to spread the word about your business during holiday season. Try creating a hashtag that’s relevant to your business, then use it in all of your social media posts and ads to get attention from potential customers.
Create deals and promotions
Creating special promotions and offers can help your business stand out during the holidays. Consider offering discounts, gift cards, or even free shipping to draw in customers and make them feel valued.
Plan an event (online or in person)
Throwing an event is a great way to engage your customers and get them talking about your brand - and centring it around a holiday is the perfect place to start. Whether it’s hosting a virtual workshop or gathering people in person to celebrate, planning an event can make your business more memorable and help you build relationships with current and potential customers.
Run a contest
Contests can help boost engagement and generate excitement around your brand. Show customers your creativity and appreciation for them by coming up with a creative, eye-catching and fun competition that jumps out from the rest. From simple giveaways related to your industry or mission, to sharing original photos or memes with your product or service as part of it; special day contests can generate tremendous word-of-mouth that goes far beyond what traditional marketing may do.
As you can see, there are plenty of opportunities for small businesses to get involved with holiday marketing. By planning your campaigns well in advance, you can make the most of these holidays and maximise your sales. So what are you waiting for? Start planning your 2023 holiday marketing calendar today!
