09 Oct The Ultimate Holiday Marketing Calendar for 2020 [Free Templates] via @annaleacrowe
It’s almost the season to be jolly.
And, what could possibly be jollier than opening up your marketing budget, commandeering an office space, and settling in for a 2020 marketing calendar marathon?
With 2019 almost behind us, it’s time to set your sights on next year’s marketing campaigns. That means a lot of #CatDad photos, “New Year, new you” messaging, and pumpkin spice lattes.
Consider this your ultimate holiday marketing calendar for 2020. Many of the holidays listed here are classics; some are feel-good holidays, and some are made up by brand themselves.
Trust me, you’ll want to bookmark this.
If you’d like to gain more inspiration, take a look at the 2019 and 2018 holiday marketing calendars.
Sidebar: If you would like me to add more holidays, topics, or just have feedback please fill out 👉 this form. I review all the feedback and comments before building 2021 marketing calendar. Thank you!
2020 Free Marketing Calendar Templates
Whether you’re the kind of marketer who starts feeling festive in July or you’re the wait-until-Christmas-break type, there’s no doubt that prepping your 2020 holiday marketing comes with a cornucopia of stressors.
The good news is that I’ve started the planning process for you.
Ahead, I’ve shared my two holiday marketing calendar templates for 2020 including a Google calendar and spreadsheet. That will help you get through the season like a boss.
Yep – these holiday marketing calendar templates may be the best gift you’ve ever received.
2020 Marketing Calendar
Here is the marketing calendar for 2020.
The tab titled “All Holidays + Google Calendar” can be used to upload to Google Calendar.
Your 2020 marketing calendar is going to be above and beyond – all with a seasonal twist. Let’s keep it going with a breakdown of all the holidays, big events, and inspiration campaigns.
Your 2020 Holiday Marketing Calendar
I’ve separated this calendar by month, so you can jump to a certain month with one click below:
January
Right now, there’s a good chance that your target audience is getting bombarded by winter sales and gym workouts on Instagram.
The thing is, January is the time to experience a refresh. Along with this rejuvenation, comes college football games, SAG awards, and Elvis’s birthday.
If you’re not sure where to begin when crafting your January marketing campaigns, ahead are holidays, sporting events, birthdays, and more to celebrate in January.
Monthly Observances
Weight Loss Awareness Month
National Blood Donor Month
National Thank You Month
National Hobby Month
National Tea Month
Girl Scout Cookie Season Begins
Weekly Observances
January 1-7 – Diet Resolution Week
January 14-20 – Hunt For Happiness Week
January 15-19 – Sugar Awareness Week
January 22-26 – Clean Out Your Inbox Week
January 22-26 – National School Choice Week
January 28-February 2 – Meat Week
Days
January 1 – New Year’s Day
January 1 – National Hangover Day
January 1 – Outback Bowl
January 1 – Rose Bowl
January 1 – NHL Winter Classic
January 1-5 – PGA Tournament of Champions
January 2 – Science Fiction Day
January 3 – Festival of Sleep Day
January 4 – Trivia Day
January 5 – Golden Globes
January 5 – National Bird Day
January 6 – National Bean Day
January 6 – Cuddle Up Day
January 8 – Elvis’s Birthday
January 9 – National Take the Stairs Day
January 10 – Girl Scout Cookie Pre-Sales Begin
January 10 – National Bittersweet Chocolate Day
January 10 – Houseplant Appreciation Day
January 11 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 13 – College Football Playoff National Championship
January 13 – Oscar nominations announced
January 13 – National Sticker Day
January 14 – Dress Up Your Pet Day
January 14 – National Clean Off Your Desk Day
January 15 – National Hat Day
January 17 – Ditch New Year’s Resolutions Day
January 17 – Get To Know Your Customer’s Day
January 18 – Winnie the Pooh Day (Author A.A. Milne’s birthday)
January 19 – National Popcorn Day
January 20 – Penguin Awareness Day
January 20 – National Cheese Lover’s Day
January 21 – Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 21 – National Hugging Day
January 23 – Sundance Film Festival begins
January 23-26 – Winter X Games
January 23 – National Pie Day
January 24 – Compliment Day
January 24 – National Peanut Butter Day
January 25 – Opposite Day
January 25 – Chinese New Year
January 26 – SAG Awards
January 26 – Grammy’s
January 26 – Spouse’s Day
January 26 – National Hockey League All-Star Game
January 27 – Chocolate Cake Day
January 28 – Fun at Work Day
January 28 – Community Manager Appreciation Day #CMAD
January 28 – Data Privacy Day
January 29 – National Puzzle Day
January 31 – Backward Day
Popular hashtags for January:
- #NewYearsDay
- #ScienceFictionDay
- #NationalTriviaDay
- #NationalBirdDay
- #HumanTraffickingDay
- #NationalStickerDay
- #CleanOffYourDeskDay
- #NationalHatDay
- #GetToKnowYourCustomersDay
- #CheeseLoversDay
- #MLKDay
- #NationalHuggingDay
- #PieDay
- #NationalComplimentDay
- #OppositeDay
- #CMAD
- #PrivacyAware
Examples of January holiday marketing campaigns for brands:
How would you explain the repeal of Net Neutrality? We did it with the Whopper. Watch the video below: pic.twitter.com/9EWjtbenv8
— Burger King (@BurgerKing) January 24, 2018
Refugees travel about 2 billion km every year to find safety.
Show them they’re not alone & #StepWithRefugeeshttps://t.co/VAgv1ZcCIApic.twitter.com/TOTZEfdmRH
— UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency (@Refugees) January 27, 2019
.@Spotify I’m loving your New Years campaign! Proof that data collection drives headlines and is attention grabbing. #kudospic.twitter.com/AKcWjLpIff
— Anderhays (@anderhays) December 7, 2017
Toothless already won New Years. #HowToTrainYourDragonpic.twitter.com/XeBXwGWNUM
— DreamWorks Animation (@Dreamworks) December 26, 2018
February
February is extra special this year. It’s not all about Valentine’s Day, Fashion Week, or Super Bowl Sunday (okay, maybe it is).
This year, February packs a punch with an extra day because it’s a leap year. February 29 happens every four years to keep us aligned with orbit around the sun.
So, what’s a marketer to do in February to target the right audience?
First, wish for spring to begin. And, second, keep scrolling for all the inspiration you need to make February a high-performing month for your business.
Monthly Observances
Black History Month
American Heart Month
National Heart Month
National Weddings Month
National Cherry Month
Weekly Observances
February 1-7 Eating Disorder Awareness Week
February 6-13 – New York Fashion Week
February 10-16 – Freelance Writers Appreciation Week
February 13-19 – International Flirting Week
February 14-21 – Condom Week
February 14-20 – Random Acts of Kindness Week
February 14-18 – London Fashion Week
February 18-24 – Milan Fashion Week
February 24-March 4 – Paris Fashion Week
Days
February 1 – National Freedom Day
February 2 – Groundhog Day
February 2 – Bubble Gum Day
February 2 – Super Bowl Sunday
February 3-9 – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am
February 4 – World Cancer Day
February 5 – World Nutella Day
February 5 – National Weatherperson’s Day
February 6 – National Chopsticks Day
February 7 – Wear Red Day
February 7 – Give Kids a Smile Day
February 7 – Send a Card to a Friend Day #SendACardToAFriendDay
February 8 – Boy Scout’s Day
February 9 – National Pizza Day
February 9 – Oscars Ceremony
February 10 – Umbrella Day
February 11 – Make a Friend Day
February 12 – Lincoln’s Birthday
February 14 – Valentine’s Day
February 15 – Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday
February 15 – Singles Awareness Day
February 17 – Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 18 – Drink Wine Day
February 18 – Presidents Day
February 20 – Love Your Pet Day
February 22 – Washington’s Birthday
February 22 – Margarita Day
February 22 – Walk Your Dog Day
February 24 – National Tortilla Chip Day
February 25 – Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday
February 26 – National Pistachio Day
February 26 – Ash Wednesday
February 28 – Floral Design Day
February 28 – Girl Scout Cookie Booth Sales Begin
Popular hashtags for February:
- #GroundhogDay
- #WorldCancerDay
- #NationalWeatherpersonsDay
- #SendACardToAFriendDay
- #BoyScoutsDay
- #NationalPizzaDay
- #ValentinesDay
- #RandomActsOfKindnessDay
- #PresidentsDay
- #LoveYourPetDay
Examples of February holiday marketing campaigns for brands:
Thank you, THANK YOU #SBLII@nfl@pepsi! Congrats @Eagles🏆! We out!! @thetnkids#PepsiHalftime 🏈 pic.twitter.com/xjcjqAyBAc
— Justin Timberlake (@jtimberlake) February 6, 2018
![The Ultimate Holiday Marketing Calendar for 2020 [Free Templates]](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/field-notes-480x898.png)
Field Notes – Valentine’s Day Offer![The Ultimate Holiday Marketing Calendar for 2020 [Free Templates]](https://cdn.searchenginejournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/google-pixel-480x875.png){kind=tracking}
Google Pixel – President’s Day Offer
Target: Celebrate Black History MonthMarch
Just when you are finally out of your holiday winter slump, Daylight Saving Time catches us all longing for a nap.
Although there’s no amount of coffee that can help you prepare for the upcoming month, I did share a few marketing campaign ideas below to get you started.
From the World Wildlife Day to International Women’s Day, March has a lot to offer.
Monthly Observances
Women’s History Month
Nutrition Month
Peanut Month
Music in Our Schools Month
Craft Month
Irish Heritage Month
American Red Cross Month
March for Meals
The Great American Cleanup
Weekly Observances
March 23-28 – National Sleep Awareness Week
March 12-17 – Girl Scout Week
March 12-17 – Campfire Birthday Week
March 26-31 – National Cleaning Week
Days
March 1 – Employee Appreciation Day
March 1 – Peanut Butter Lover’s Day
March 2 – National Read Across America Day (Dr. Seuss Day)
March 2-8 – Arnold Palmer Invitational PGA
March 3 – Day of Unplugging
March 3 – World Wildlife Day
March 4 – Grammar Day
March 6 – Dentist’s Day
March 6 – Oreo Day
March 6 – Shaq’s Birthday
March 7 – Cereal Day
March 8 – Popcorn Lover’s Day
March 8 – Girl Scout Day
March 8 – International Women’s Day
March 8 – Daylight Savings
March 10-15 – The Players Championship PGA
March 11 – Napping Day
March 13 – Jewel Day
March 14 – Pi Day
March 15 – The Ides of March
March 16-22 – SXSW
March 16 – World Sleep Day
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
March 18 –Awkward Moments Day
March 19 – First Day of Spring
March 20 – Agriculture Day
March 20 – World Down Syndrome Day
March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
March 22 – World Water Day
March 23 – Puppy Day
March 24 – American Diabetes Association Alert Day
March 26 – Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness
March 26 – Baseball Opening Day
March 29 – Mom & Pop Business Owners Day
March 30 – National Doctor’s Day
March 30 – Earth Hour Day
March 31 – Crayon Day
March 31 – Transgender Day of Visibility
Popular hashtags for March:
- #PeanutButterLoversDay
- #EmployeeAppreciationDay
- #ReadAcrossAmerica
- #DrSeuss
- #WorldWildlifeDay
- #NationalGrammarDay
- #BeBoldForChange
- #DaylightSavings
- #PiDay
- #StPatricksDay
- #FirstDayofSpring
- #RacialDiscriminationDay
- #WorldWaterDay
- #NationalPuppyDay
- #PurpleDay
- #AmericanDiabetesAssociationAlertDay
- #NationalDoctorsDay
- #EarthHour
- #TDOV
Examples of March holiday marketing campaigns for brands:
View this post on InstagramJust hatched 🐣 PEEPS® Donut and PEEPS® Marshmallow Flavored Coffee!
A post shared by Dunkin’ (@dunkin) on
We're celebrating #StPatricksDay the Jameson way at the office! Join the fun on Snapchat with @JamesonCanada filters, available across 🇨🇦🥃 pic.twitter.com/CWn905NH3z
— Corby Spirit & Wine (@CorbySW) March 17, 2017
April
“April showers bring May flowers,” makes April sound like…well…a real bummer.
April deserves silent golf clap because April is bringing us National Denim Day, World Autism Day, the Master’s PGA tournament, and so much more.
And, to top it all off, springtime drops (hello, spring cleaning and pretty Peeps).
Monthly Observances
Earth Month
National Volunteer Month
National Autism Awareness Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
National Garden Month
Stress Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
Weekly Observances
April 15-22 – National Volunteer Week
April 16-22- Animal Cruelty/Human Violence Awareness Week
April 23-29 – Administrative Professionals Week
April 22-28 – Every Kid Healthy Week
April 22-28 – National Princess Week
Days
April 1 – April Fool’s Day
April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
April 2 – National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day
April 3 – Don’t Go To Work Unless it’s Fun Day
April 3 – Find a Rainbow Day
April 3 – National Walking Day
April 4 – School Librarian Day
April 5 – Palm Sunday
April 6-12 – Masters Tournament PGA
April 7 – World Health Day
April 7 – National Beer Day
April 9 – Winston Churchill Day
April 9 – Equal Pay Day
April 10 – Good Friday
April 10 – Free Cone Day (Ben & Jerry’s)
April 10 – Golfer’s Day
April 10-19 – Coachella Music Festival
April 11 – National Pet Day
April 12 – Easter Sunday
April 12 – National Grilled Cheese Day
April 15 – National Titanic Remembrance Day
April 15 – Tax Day
April 15 – National High-Five Day
April 20 – Lookalike Day
April 20 – Boston Marathon
April 22 – Earth Day
April 22 – Administrative Professionals Day
April 23 – Take Your Daughter and/or Son to Work Day
April 24 – Denim Day
April 27 – Arbor Day
April 28 – National Superhero Day
April 30 – National Honesty Day
April 30 – National Adopt a Shelter Pet Day
Popular hashtags for April:
- #AprilFools
- #WAAD
- #FindARainbowDay
- #NationalWalkingDay
- #LetsTalk
- #EqualPayDay
- #TaxDay
- #NH5D
- #NationalLookAlikeDay
- #AdministrativeProfessionalsDay
- #DenimDay
- #EndMalariaForGood
- #COUNTONME
- #ArborDay
- #NationalHonestyDay
- #AdoptAShelterPetDay
Examples of April holiday marketing campaigns for brands:
Burger King: The King’s Fool’s Challenge
Packlane – Easter OfferThis #EarthDay, we're hosting cleanup events across the globe with @MissionBlue! If at least 1,500 #PokemonGO Trainers attend these events, Trainers will see special in game surprises! Find your closest cleanup event here: https://t.co/b9FJdxCW6Opic.twitter.com/8tFhW7HMC0
— Niantic, Inc. (@NianticLabs) April 4, 2018
May
May is here which means the nights are only getting hotter and longer.
That also means that it’s time for #MayThe4thBeWithYou hashtags, tequila, big hats, and BBQ.
May doesn’t just celebrate the start of summer with a day OOO, it also kicks off our summer marketing campaigns.
Monthly Observances
ALS Awareness
Asthma Awareness
National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
Clean Air Month
Global Employee Health and Fitness Month
National Barbecue Month
National Bike Month
National Hamburger Month
National Salad Month
National Photograph Month
Gifts from the Garden Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Military Family Appreciation Month
Weekly Observances
Food Allergy Awareness Week (second full week of May)
April 30-May 4 – National Tourism Week
April 30-May 4 – Drinking Water Week
April 30-May 4 – National Pet Week
May 7-11 – Teacher Appreciation Week
May 6- 12 – Nurse’s Week
Days
May 1 – Red Nose Day (date for 2020 not announced yet)
May 1 – May Day
May 1 – Mother Goose Day
May 2 – World Password Day
May 2 – Kentucky Derby
May 2 – Thank A Teacher Day
May 4 – Star Wars Day
May 4 – International Firefighters Day
May 5 – Cinco De Mayo
May 6 – National Nurses Day
May 8 – World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
May 8 – National Teacher’s Day
May 9 – National Receptionists Day
May 10 – Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 11 – Eat What You Want Day
May 12 – World Fair Trade Day
May 12 – Mother’s Day
May 14-17 – PGA Championship
May 15 – National Chocolate Chip Day
May 16 – Love a Tree Day
May 18 – Armed Forces Day
May 18 – National Bike to Work Day
May 18 – NASCAR Day
May 18-Jun 7 – French Open
May 19 – Armed Forces Day
May 22 – Indianapolis 500
May 20 – Be a Millionaire Day
May 24 – Victoria Day (Canada)
May 25 – Memorial Day
May 25 – Geek Pride Day
May 25 – National Wine Day
May 26 – Sally Ride Day
May 31 – World No-Tobacco Day
Popular hashtags for May:
- #RedNoseDay
- #MayDay
- #WorldPasswordDay
- #StarWarsDay & #Maythe4thBeWithYou
- #InternationalFirefightersDay
- #CincoDeMayo
- #MothersDay
- #BTWD
- #MemorialDay & #MDW
- #NoTobacco
Examples of May holiday marketing for brands:
Today only: turn yourself into a taco using our @Snapchat lens. Because Cinco de Mayo. pic.twitter.com/P4KwLdFNFZ
— Taco Bell (@tacobell) May 5, 2016
June
Brace yourself, we’re halfway through the year. That means heat waves, #RadDadsSquad pics, rainbow flags in shop windows, and summer getaways.
So while you’re dusting off the BBQ or hitting the links, now is the time to create shareable marketing campaigns like the ALS ice bucket challenge or the IHOP’s IHOb campaign.
Because if you don’t share it on social, did it really happen?
Monthly Observances
Men’s Health Month
National Safety Month
Acne Awareness Month
LGBTQ Pride Month
National Adopt a Cat Month
Aquarium Month
Candy Month
Weekly Observances
June 4-10 – Pet Appreciation Week
June 12-18 – Men’s Health Week
Days
June 1 – National Donut Day
June 2 – National Rocky Road Day
June 4 – Hug Your Cat Day
June 4 – National Cheese Day
June 5 – World Environment Day
June 7 – National Chocolate Ice Cream Day
June 8 – World Oceans Day
June 8 – National Best Friends Day
June 9 – Donald Duck Day
June 10 – Iced Tea Day
June 11-14 – Bonnaroo Music Festival
June 13 – National Weed Your Garden Day
June 14 – Flag Day
June 16 – Father’s Day
June 16 – World Juggler’s Day
June 18 – National Splurge Day
June 18-21 –U.S. Open PGA
June 19 – National Kissing Day
June 20 – First Day of Summer / Summer Solstice
June 21 – National Selfie Day
June 22 – National Take a Dog to Work Day
June 27 – National Handshake Day
June 27-July 19 – Tour de France
June 29 – Camera Day
June 29-July 5 – World Golf Championships-FedEx St. Jude Invitational
June 29-July 12 – Wimbledon
June 30 – Social Media Day
Popular hashtags for June:
Examples of June holiday marketing for brands:
If we can clean up 65,000 fun-loving festival goers at #Bonnaroo, we can take care of your mess too with our long-lasting, durable washers. #LifesGood #GetDirty
Posted by LG Electronics USA on Thursday, June 21, 2018
The largest delivery in @Amazon history. pic.twitter.com/xOhuJ7dLFy
— Jurassic World (@JurassicWorld) June 2, 2018
View this post on InstagramADVERTISEMENTCONTINUE READING BELOWA post shared by Mastercard (@mastercard) on
July
July is more than just another summer month. It’s also a chance to celebrate America’s independence, order too much stuff on Prime Day, share your favorite emojis, and watch golf.
When it comes to marketing in July, there are tons of opportunities to engage with your customers – from pet safety tips during the 4th of July to free shipping.
Monthly Observances
Ice Cream Month
National Grilling Month
National Picnic Month
National Independent Retailer Month
National Blueberry Month
Weekly Observances
July 15-21 – Capture the Sunset Week
July 16-22 – Independent Retailers Week
Days
July 1 – National Postal Worker Day
July 1 – International Joke Day
July 2 – World UFO Day
July 4 – Independence Day
July 4 – Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest
July 5 – National Bikini Day
July 7 – Chocolate Day
July 8 – Video Games Day
July 11 – National 7-Eleven Day
July 12 – Pecan Pie Day
July 13 – Rock Worldwide Day
July 13 – French Fry Day
July 15 – National Ice Cream Day
July 16 – World Snake Day
July 16-19 – Summer X Games
July 17 – World Emoji Day
July 18 – World Hepatitis Day
July 18 – Hot Dog Day
July 18 – Amazon Prime Day
July 19 – National Daiquiri Day
July 20 – National Moon Day
July 21 – #NoMakeUp Day
July 24 – Amelia Earhart Day
July 26 – Aunt and Uncle Day
July 28 – Parents’ Day
July 30 – Father-in-Law Day
July 30 – International Day of Friendship
Popular hashtags for July:
Examples of July holiday marketing for brands:
Amazon: Prime Day DealsThere are those who keep us cool by keeping theirs. Professionals in the art of refreshment – A/C techs, fridge specialists and pool professionals. We prefer to call them The Refreshionals. And they proudly present the only drink that's certified refreshing – the #JimBeamHighballpic.twitter.com/EYcueRZw9J
— Jim Beam (@JimBeam) July 15, 2019
Google are also giving their emojis a refresh. Blobs are out, and this is in 🔥https://t.co/NiE13afwDC
— World Emoji Day (@WorldEmojiDay) July 17, 2019
August
Let’s be honest: The reality is that August signals that summer will be over before we know it. It’s back-to-school season and every girl has a PSL on their Instagram feed.
So, whether your audience is heading off to experience dorm life for the first time, kicking back with a cold one for NFL preseason, or just Netflix and chill with your dog, August has something for every brand.
Monthly Observances
Back to School Month
National Golf Month
National Breastfeeding Month
Family Fun Month
Peach Month
Weekly Observances
August 6-12 – National Farmers’ Market Week
August 13-19 – National Motorcycle Week
August 13-19 – Feeding Pets of the Homeless Week
Days
August 1 – World Lumberjack Championships (2020 date TBD)
August 1 – NFL Preseason begins (2020 date TBD)
August 1 – National Girlfriends Day
August 2 – International Beer Day
August 2 – National Ice Cream Sandwich Day
August 5 – International Friendship Day
August 8 – International Cat Day
August 9 – Book Lover’s Day
August 10 – National S’mores Day
August 12 – Middle Child’s Day (Go Jan Brady!)
August 13 – Left-hander’s Day
August 16 – National Tell a Joke Day
August 18 – Bad Poetry Day
August 19 – World Photo Day
August 19 – World Humanitarian Day
August 20 – National Lemonade Day
August 21 – Senior Citizens Day
August 26 – National Dog Day
August 26 – Women’s Equality Day
August 30 – Frankenstein Day
August 31 – National Trail Mix Day
Popular hashtags for August:
- #InternationalCatDay
- #NationalBookLoversDay
- #WorldElephantDay
- #LefthandersDay
- #WorldPhotoDay
- #WorldHumanitarianDay
- #NationalLemonadeDay
- #NationalDogDay
- #WomensEqualityDay
Examples of August holiday marketing for brands:
Staples for Students Scholarship SweepstakesEnter our #DormBattlestation Giveaway for a chance to win the ultimate college setup, including gear from MSI Gaming,…
Posted by Newegg on Friday, July 20, 2018
Target Run with the Stauffer Family
Back-to-school season is here! Follow Papa Buz, Mila and Emma from Kcstauffer on their #TargetRun. ✏️ 🗒️ Start your list here: http://tgt.biz/742yu
Posted by Target on Monday, July 23, 2018
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Under Armour (@underarmour) on
September
Break out those bathing suits and sunglasses one last time as September brings the first signs of fall.
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