The Definitive List of Holidays for Small Business Marketing
What did your business do for Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day (January 27) this year? How about National Cheese Day (June 4)?
Nothing?
For small businesses, holidays should account for much more than Thanksgiving and Christmas. There are dozens of holidays in a calendar year, which means ample opportunity for marketing campaigns.
Small business marketing should be creative, considering you’re competing against not only other small businesses, but global brands too. With so many holidays on the calendar, both oddly vague and curiously specific, there are very likely a number of special holidays that are perfect for your small business.
By identifying a few small business holidays throughout the year that align with your company’s and customers’ interests, you can raise brand awareness and increase your bottom line. Below, we’ve laid out the definitive list of small business holidays for 2020 and beyond.
How to Use a Marketing Calendar
Before you start creating hashtags and launching Facebook Ads based on the following small business holidays, it’s important to know how to effectively use a marketing calendar for your business. Pushing ads for a freemium game on National Unplugging Day, for instance, may be in poor taste.
Your marketing calendar is a road map to keep your team on track and aligned for specific goals and dates. It could include:
- Social media ads
- Paid ad campaigns
- Blog content
- Direct mail marketing
- Displays or signage
- Email marketing
- Special events
Different holidays may call for different marketing approaches, which is why it’s crucial that you plan your campaigns in advance. There are so many ways to advertise your business, a marketing calendar gives you the time to think outside of the box to come up with a multichannel, well-informed campaign that will both resonate with existing customers and attract new ones.
Running a social media giveaway on National Give Something Away Day or offering coupons to a partner restaurant on National Hot Dog Day, for example, are relevant ways to excite current and potential customers. Don’t be afraid to have some fun with the more obscure holidays or be sentimental with important ones. Adapting your messaging between humor on Drink Wine Day and more personal stories on Mother’s Day can humanize your brand and help you connect with customers.
Every business is different, so your marketing calendar should take into account any online and offline marketing channels that you plan to use. As you go through different campaigns throughout the year, your marketing calendar will give you the additional flexibility (and data) to test and gauge results based on specific or seasonal campaigns.
With all that information at hand, bring on the holidays!
Key Small Businesses Holidays for Marketing Campaigns
Remember, major consumer shopping days like Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and, of course, Small Business Saturday should definitely take precedence over National Selfie Day. But don’t be afraid to target some fun holidays from the list below.
January
Month-Long Holidays:
National Bath Safety Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Braille Literacy Month
National Hobby Month
National Hot Tea Month
National Mentoring Month
National Soup Month
National Train Your Dog Month
National Letter Writing Week (January 6-12)
National Days:
January 1 – New Year’s Day, Hangover Day, Bloody Mary Day
January 2 – Buffet Day, National Science Fiction Day
January 4 – Spaghetti Day, Trivia Day
January 5 – Whipped Cream Day
January 6 – Three Kings Day
January 8 – Bubble Bath Day, Clean Off Your Desk Day
January 10 – Cut Your Energy Costs Day, Houseplant Appreciation Day, Milk Day
January 12 – Pharmacist Day
January 13 – National Sticker Day
January 14 – Dress up Your Pet Day
January 15 – Hat Day
January 17 – Get to Know Your Customers Day
January 19 – Popcorn Day
January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day (observed), Cheese Lovers Day, DJ Day,
January 21 – Museum Selfie Day, Hugging Day
January 23 – Pie Day
January 24 – Green Juice Day, Peanut Butter Day
January 25 – Chinese New Year, Opposite Day
January 27 – Bubble Wrap Appreciation Day
January 29 – Puzzle Day
January 31 – Fun at Work Day
February
Month-Long Holidays:
American Heart Month
Bake for Family Fun Month
Black History Month
Canned Food Month
Cherry Month
Children’s Dental Health Month
Hot Breakfast Month
National Grapefruit Month
National Weddings Month
Responsible Pet Owner Month
National Days:
February 1 – Dark Chocolate Day, Freedom Day, February 1
February 2 – Groundhog Day, Super Bowl Sunday #SB54
February 3 – Women Physicians Day
February 4 – World Cancer Day
February 6 – Frozen Yogurt Day
February 7 – Send a Card to a Friend Day, Give Kids a Smile Day
February 9 – National Pizza Day, Toothache Day
February 10 – Clean out Your Computer Day
February 11 – Safer Internet Day, Inventors Day, Make a Friend Day
February 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday
February 13 – Galentine’s Day
February 14 – Valentine’s Day
February 15 – Singles Awareness Day
February 16 – Almond Day
February 17 – Presidents Day, Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 18 – Drink Wine Day
February 20 – Love Your Pet Day, World Day of Social Justice
February 22 – Margarita Day
February 24 – Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 – Mardi Gras Carnival
February 27 – Chili Day
February 28 – Digital Learning Day
March
Month-Long Holidays:
March Madness
National Craft Month
National Credit Education Month
National Frozen Food Month
National Kidney Month
National Noodle Month
National Nutrition Month
National Peanut Month
National Women’s History Month
Red Cross Month
Social Workers Month
National Days:
March 1 – Employee Appreciation Day, Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 2 – Read Across America Day
March 3 – Day of Unplugging
March 5 – Dress Day
March 6 – Dentist’s Day
March 7 – National Be Heard Day
March 8 – International Women’s Day, Daylight Savings, Proofreading Day
March 12 – Pancake Day
March 14 – Pi Day, Potato Chip Day
March 16 – World Sleep Day
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 18 – Awkward Moments Day
March 19 – First Day of Spring, Let’s Laugh Day, Poultry Day
March 20 – Day of Happiness, Proposal Day, Spring Equinox
March 21 – French Bread Day
March 22 – World Water Day
March 23 – Puppy Day
March 25 – Waffle Day
March 26 – Make up Your Own Holiday Day
March 29 – Mom and Pop Business Owners Day
March 30 – National Doctor’s Day
March 31 – Backup Day
April
Month-Long Holidays:
Couple Appreciation Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
National Decorating Month
National Garden Month
National Humor Month
National Pecan Month
National Pet Month
Move More Month
Records and Information Management Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Days:
April 1 – April Fools’ Day
April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day, World Autism Awareness Day
April 3 – Don’t Go to Work Unless It’s Fun Day, Find a Rainbow Day, National Walking Day, World Party Day
April 4 – School Librarian Day, National Burrito Day
April 5 – Deep Dish Pizza Day
April 7 – World Health Day, National Beer Day
April 9 – Equal Pay Day
April 10 – Good Friday, Hug Your Dog Day
April 11 – National Pet Day
April 12 – Easter, Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day
April 15 – Tax Day, Laundry Day, National High Five Day
April 16 – Wear Pajamas to Work Day
April 18 – Haiku Poetry Day
April 20 – Chinese Language Day, Kindergarten Day, Lookalike Day
April 22 – Earth Day, Administrative Professionals’ Day
April 23 – Picnic Day, Take Your Daughter and/or Son to Work Day, World Book Day
April 24 – Arbor Day, Hug a Plumber Day, Denim Day
April 25 – Telephone Day
April 26 – Pretzel Day
April 28 – National Superhero Day
April 29 – International Dance Day
April 30 – International Jazz Day, National Honesty Day
May
Month-Long Holidays:
Arthritis Awareness Month
Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Foster Care Month
National Barbecue Month
National Hamburger Month
National Photograph Month
National Recommitment Month
National Salad Month
National Small Business Week #SmallBusinessWeek (May 3-9)
National Days:
May 1 – May Day, International Workers’ Day
May 2 – World Password Day, Thank a Teacher Day
May 3 – World Press Freedom Day
May 4 – Star Wars Day, Free Comic Book Day, International Firefighters Day
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
May 6 – National Nurses Day, No Diet Day, Tourist Appreciation Day
May 8 – World Red Cross Day, National Teachers Day
May 9 – National Receptionists Day, Fair Trade Day
May 10 – Mother’s Day
May 11 – Eat What You Want Day
May 12 – Limerick Day
May 13 – Apple Pie Day
May 15 – International Day of Families, National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16 – Armed Forces Day, Love a Tree Day, Mimosa Day
May 17 – Pizza Party Day
May 18 – National Bike to Work Day, NASCAR Day
May 20 – Be a Millionaire Day
May 21 – Waitstaff Day
May 24 – Scavenger Hunt Day
May 25 – Memorial Day, National Wine Day, Geek Pride Day
May 28 – Hamburger Day
May 29 – Learn About Composting Day
May 31 – World No Tobacco Day
June
Month-Long Holidays:
Candy Month
Dairy Month
Fruit and Vegetable Month
Gay Pride Month
Rose Month
National Days:
June 1 – National Donut Day
June 2 – National Rocky Road Day, Bicycle Day
June 4 – National Cheese Day, Hug Your Cat Day
June 5 – Global Running Day, World Environment Day
June 6 – D-Day
June 7 – National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 8 – National Best Friends Day, World Oceans Day
June 10 – Iced Tea Day
June 13 – Sewing Machine Day, National Weed Your Garden Day
June 14 – Flag Day, World Blood Donor Day
June 16 – World Juggler’s Day, Fudge Day
June 17 – National Eat Your Vegetables Day, Take Your Cat to Work Day
June 18 – National Splurge Day, Sushi Day
June 19 – Juneteenth, National Kissing Day, Box Day, Martini Day
June 20 – Summer Solstice, World Day of Music
June 21 – Father’s Day, International Yoga Day, National Selfie Day
June 22 – National Take a Dog to Work Day, Positive Media Day
June 23 – Hydration Day
June 26 – Bingo Day
June 27 – National Handshake Day
June 28 – Insurance Awareness Day
June 29 – National Camera Day
June 30 – Social Media Day
July
Month-Long Holidays:
Dog Days of Summer
Ice Cream Month
National Anti-Boredom Month
National Cell Phone Courtesy Month
National Grilling Month
National Independent Retailer Month
National Picnic Month
Social Wellness Month
Wheat Month
Watermelon Month
National Days:
July 1 – Canada Day, International Joke Day, National Postal Worker Day
July 2 – World UFO Day
July 4 – Independence Day
July 6 – Fried Chicken Day
July 7 – Chocolate Day
July 8 – Video Game Day
July 9 – Kitten Day
July 11 – National 7-Eleven Day
July 12 – Simplicity Day, Pecan Pie Day
July 13 – French Fry Day
July 14 – Mac and Cheese Day
July 15 – National Ice Cream Day
July 16 – Get to Know Your Customers Day, World Snake Day
July 17 – World Emoji Day, Hot Dog Day, Lottery Day
July 18 – World Hepatitis Day
July 19 – National Daiquiri Day
July 20 – National Moon Day
July 21 – Junk Food Day, #NoMakeUp Day
July 24 – Amelia Earhart Day, Drive Thru Day
July 25 – Wine and Cheese Day
July 26 – Parents Day, Aunt and Uncle Day
July 30 – Father-in-Law Day
July 31 – National System Administrator Appreciation Day
August
Month-Long Holidays:
Admit You’re Happy Month
Back to School Month
Breastfeeding Month
Family Fun Month
National Golf Month
Water Quality Month
National Farmers’ Market Week (August 2-8)
National Bargain Hunting Week (August 3-19)
National Days:
August 1 – National Girlfriends Day
August 2 – International Beer Day, National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 5 – International Friendship Day
August 6 – National Fresh Breath Day
August 7 – Purple Heart Day
August 8 – International Cat Day
August 9 – Book Lovers Day
August 10 – National S’mores Day, Lazy Day
August 12 – Middle Child’s Day, International Youth Day
August 13 – Left Handers’ Day
August 16 – Roller Coaster Day, National Tell a Joke Day
August 17 – Nonprofit Day
August 18 – Bad Poetry Day
August 19 – World Photography Day, World Humanitarian Day
August 20 – National Lemonade Day, Islamic New Year
August 21 – Senior Citizens’ Day
August 26 – Women’s Equality Day, National Dog Day
August 30 – Frankenstein Day
August 31 – National Trail Mix Day
September
Month-Long Holidays:
Baby Safety Month
Better Breakfast Month
Classical Music Month
Hispanic Heritage Month
Honey Month
National Courtesy Month
Self Improvement Month
Sewing Month
National Payroll Week (September 4-9)
National Love Your Files Week (September 16-20)
National Indoor Plant Week (September 16-22)
National Days:
September 1 – International Bacon Day
September 2 – VJ Day
September 4 – College Colors Day
September 5 – International Day of Charity
September 6 – Cheese Pizza Day, Read a Book Day
September 7 – Labor Day
September 11 – Patriot’s Day
September 13 – Grandparents’ Day, Fortune Cookie Day
September 15 – Greenpeace Day, Boys’ and Girls’ Club Day for Kids
September 16 – American Legion Day, Working Parents Day, Wife Appreciation Day, Stepfamily Day
September 17 – Constitution Day, Citizenship Day
September 18 – Rosh Hashanah, National Cheeseburger Day
September 19 – Start of Oktoberfest, International Talk Like a Pirate Day
September 20 – National Pepperoni Pizza Day
September 21 – International Day of Peace
September 22 – Fall Equinox, Car-Free Day
September 23 – Checkers Day
September 25 – National Voter Registration Day, Native American Day, Comic Book Day
September 26 – Hunting and Fishing Day
September 27 – Start of Yom Kippur, World Tourism Day
September 28 – World Rabies Day, National Good Neighbor Day
September 29 – Coffee Day, World Heart Day
September 30 – International Podcast Day
October
Month-Long Holidays:
Adopt a Shelter Dog Month
American Pharmacist Month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Computer Learning Month
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
Emotional Wellness Month
Employee Ownership Month
Financial Planning Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month
International Strategic Planning Month
National Bake and Decorate Month
National Cookbook Month
National Cyber Security Awareness Month
National Diabetes Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Ergonomics Month
National Fair Trade Month
National Pizza Month
National Popcorn Popping Month
National Work and Family Month
National Vegetarian Month
Positive Attitude Month
Right Brainers Rule! Month
Sarcastic Month
Self-Promotion Month
Workplace Politics Awareness Month
Customer Service Week, October 4-10
National Work From Home Week (October 4-10)
Get Organized Week (October 4-10)
Drive Safely Work Week (October 7-11)
National Days:
October 1 – International Coffee Day, World Vegetarian Day
October 2 – Name Your Car Day, Brow Day, World Smile Day
October 3 – National Techies Day, National Boyfriends Day
October 4 – National Taco Day
October 5 – World Teachers’ Day
October 6 – World Smile Day, Physician’s Assistant Day
October 9 – Leif Erikson Day
October 10 – World Mental Health Day
October 11 – It’s My Party Day, Coming Out Day
October 12 – Indigenous People’s Day, Canadian Thanksgiving
October 13 – World Egg Day
October 14 – Dessert Day
October 16 – Boss’s Day, World Food Day
October 17 – Pasta Day, Sweetest Day
October 18 – Spirit Day
October 19 – Evaluate Your Life Day
October 20 – Statistics Day
October 21 – International Nacho Day
October 24 – United Nations Day
October 27 – Make a Difference Day, Black Cat Day
October 30 – Mischief Night, Checklist Day
October 31 – Day of the Dead Begins, Halloween
November
Month-Long Holidays:
Child Safety Protection Month
National Adoption Awareness Month
National Caregivers Appreciation Month
National Sleep Comfort Month
Peanut Butter Lovers Month
Real Jewelry Month
International Fraud Awareness Week (November 8-14)
National Deal Week (November 25-December 1)
National Days:
November 1 – Daylight Saving Time Ends, All Saints Day, World Vegan Day
November 2 – Day of the Dead Ends
November 3 – Election Day, Sandwich Day
November 4 – National Stress Awareness Day
November 6 – Love Your Lawyer Day
November 8 – Cappuccino Day, STEM Day
November 11 – Veterans Day, Singles’ Day
November 12 – Chicken Soup for the Soul Day
November 13 – World Kindness Day, Sadie Hawkins Day
November 14 – Diwali, World Diabetes Day
November 15 – America Recycles Day
November 16 – International Tolerance Day, Fast Food Day
November 17 – Take a Hike Day, Homemade Bread Day
November 19 – International Mens’ Day, National Entrepreneurs Day
November 20 – Trans Day of Remembrance, Universal Children’s Day
November 21 – World Television Day
November 23 – Espresso Day
November 26 – Thanksgiving Day
November 27 – Black Friday
November 28 – Small Business Saturday
November 29 – Start of Advent
November 30 – Cyber Monday
December
Month-Long Holidays:
Bingo Month
National Tie Month
National Write a Business Plan Month
Write a Friend Month
National Days:
December 1 – Giving Tuesday, World AIDS Day, Rosa Parks Day
December 3 – International Day of Persons With Disabilities
December 4 – Cookie Day
December 5 – Volunteer Day
December 6 – St. Nicholas Day
December 7 – Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day, Aviation Day
December 9 – Christmas Card Day
December 10 – Nobel Prize Day, Start of Hanukkah, Human Rights Day
December 11 – International Mountain Day
December 12 – Poinsettia Day
December 14 – Roast Chestnuts Day, Green Monday
December 15 – Bill of Rights Day, Free Shipping Day
December 17 – Wright Brothers Day
December 18 – Bake Cookies Day
December 19 – National Ugly Christmas Sweater Day
December 20 – Go Caroling Day
December 21 – Winter Solstice
December 23 – Festivus, Hanukkah Begins
December 24 – Christmas Eve
December 25 – Christmas
December 26 – Start of Kwanzaa, National Thank You Note Day, Boxing Day (Canada)
December 27 – National Fruitcake Day, No Interruptions Day
December 29 – Tick Tock Day
December 30 – Hanukkah Ends, Bacon Day
December 31 – New Year’s Eve, Make up Your Mind Day
The Bottom Line
There is no shortage of holidays for marketing opportunities that any small business can easily take advantage of. Whether you’re blogging your way through the many, many holidays in October or planning a social media blitz for Cyber Monday, keeping your eye on the calendar can help your business score some extra business. And if you think something is missing from this list of small business holidays, you can even create your own holiday.
Nick Perry
Nick Perry is a freelance writer based out of Boston. After working in Hollywood and Silicon Beach, he launched his own small business and frequently referenced Fundera’s resources. Now, he’s a contributing writer at Fundera. Nick has written extensively about small businesses, ecommerce, the restaurant industry, and entertainment. His work has appeared on Entrepreneur, Digital Trends, Toast’s On The Line, and more.