Key Marketing Dates for 2026: Your Key Marketing Calendar
Planning your marketing ahead is one of the smartest ways to stay ahead of competitors and make the most of seasonal opportunities. Whether you run a small business, manage a brand, or handle social media, knowing the key dates in 2026 can help you plan campaigns, promotions, and content that resonate.
In this guide, we’ve compiled the essential marketing calendar dates for 2026, including holidays, fun awareness days, and monthly celebrations that are perfect for creating engaging content and promotions.
Why You Need a 2026 Marketing Calendar
A marketing calendar isn’t just a list of dates- it’s a powerful tool for strategy and growth. By knowing when your audience is most likely to engage, you can:
Align campaigns with seasonal trends and celebrations.
Increase engagement on social media with relevant content.
Boost sales with timely promotions and offers.
Save time by planning your marketing in advance.
If you’d like a customised marketing calendar tailored to your business, we offer free consultations to help you plan campaigns that actually convert. Book your free consultation here
January 2026 Marketing Highlights
Monthly Celebrations: Ginuary, Dry January, Veganuary
1st Jan: New Year’s Day
5th Jan: Twelfth Night
6th Jan: National Shortbread Day
16th Jan: International Hot & Spicy Food Day
19th Jan: Blue Monday / National Popcorn Day
20th Jan: National Cheese Lovers Day
24th Jan: Peanut Butter Day
25th Jan: Burns Night
26th Jan: Australia Day
27th Jan: Chocolate Cake Day / Holocaust Memorial Day
31st Jan: Hot Chocolate Day
February 2026 Marketing Highlights
Monthly Celebrations: LGBT History UK
1st Feb: British Yorkshire Pudding Day
7th Feb: Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
9th Feb: National Pizza Day
14th Feb: Valentine’s Day
17th Feb: Chinese New Year (Year of the Horse) / Pancake Day
18th Feb: Ash Wednesday
20th Feb: Love Your Pet Day
26th Feb: UK National Chilli Day
March 2026 Marketing Highlights
1st Mar: St David’s Day
2-8th Mar: British Pie Week
5th Mar: World Book Day
8th Mar: International Women’s Day
14th Mar: Dog Theft Awareness Day
17th Mar: St Patrick’s Day (Northern Ireland)
18th Mar: Global Recycling Day
20th Mar: First Day of Spring / International Day of Happiness / Red Nose Day
25th Mar: International Waffle Day
April 2026 Marketing Highlights
Monthly Celebrations: Stress Awareness Month / National Pet Month / National Brunch Month
1st Apr: April Fool’s Day / Easter Monday (ENG, NIR, WAL)
3rd Apr: Good Friday
4th Apr: International Carrot Day
5th Apr: Easter Sunday
14th Apr: Garden Day
21st Apr: Late Queen Elizabeth II’s 100th Birthday / National Tea Day
22nd Apr: Earth Day
23rd Apr: St George’s Day
May 2026 Marketing Highlights
4th May: May Day / Star Wars Day / Early May Bank Holiday
6th May: 3-Year Anniversary Coronation of King Charles III and Camilla
11th May: Eat What You Want Day
13th May: World Cocktail Day
16th May: International Day of Light
17th May: International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia & Transphobia / World Baking Day
18–31st May: Chelsea Flower Show
20th May: World Bee Day
25th May: Spring Bank Holiday
29th May: National Biscuit Day
June 2026 Marketing Highlights
1st Jun: World Milk Day
3rd Jun: National Fish and Chips Day
6th Jun: Canterbury Pride Festival
13th Jun: World Gin Day
15th Jun: National Beer Day
17th Jun: International Lemon Drizzle Cake Day
18th Jun: International Picnic Day / Clean Air Day
21st Jun: Make Music Day UK / Summer Solstice
27th Jun: Armed Forces Day
July 2026 Marketing Highlights
5th Jul: Thank You Day
7th Jul: World Chocolate Day
13th Jul: Battle of the Boyne (Northern Ireland)
25th Jul: Cheese & Wine Day
August 2026 Marketing Highlights
3rd Aug: Summer Bank Holiday (Scotland)
8th Aug: International Cat Day
13th Aug: Prosecco Day
17th Aug: National Cupcake Day
25th Aug: National Banana Split Day
27th Aug: National Burger Day
31st Aug: Summer Bank Holiday (ENG, NIR, WAL)
September 2026 Marketing Highlights
5th Sep: International Charity Day
9th Sep: Emergency Services Day
10th Sep: World Suicide Prevention Day
16th Sep: National Fitness Day
25th Sep: World's Biggest Coffee Morning
27th Sep: World Tourism Day
October 2026 Marketing Highlights
1st Oct: World Vegetarian Day / International Coffee Day
2nd Oct: World Smile Day
3rd Oct: Buy British Day
5th Oct: World Teachers Day
10th Oct: World Mental Health Awareness Day
13–19th Oct: UK Coffee Week
16th Oct: World Food Day
26th Oct: Pumpkin Day
28th Oct: RSPB Feed The Birds Day
31st Oct: Halloween
November 2026 Marketing Highlights
1st Nov: World Vegan Day
4th Nov: Roast Dinner Day
5th Nov: Guy Fawkes Day
8th Nov: Remembrance Sunday
11th Nov: Remembrance Day
14th Nov: King Charles III’s Birthday
19th Nov: International Men’s Day
27th Nov: Black Friday
28th Nov: Small Business Saturday
30th Nov: St Andrew’s Day (Scotland) / Cyber Monday
December 2026 Marketing Highlights
Monthly Celebrations: Advent
1st Dec: First Day of Advent
10th Dec: Human Rights Day / Christmas Jumper Day
25th Dec: Christmas Day
26th Dec: Boxing Day
31st Dec: Hogmanay / New Year’s Eve
How to Make the Most of These Marketing Dates
Knowing the dates is only half the battle. The real impact comes when you turn them into a strategy that fits your brand and audience:
Social Media Campaigns: Share timely posts, reels, or stories tied to holidays or awareness days.
Email Marketing: Plan newsletters and promotional campaigns around key dates.
Seasonal Promotions: Offer limited-time discounts or bundles for special occasions.
Blog & SEO Content: Write articles and guides using relevant long-tail keywords to boost search traffic.
If planning all of this feels overwhelming, our marketing services can take the stress off your hands. From content planning to social media management and campaign execution, we’ll help you get results that matter. Book a free marketing consultation today.