Big List Of Annual Marketing Holidays

I have been obsessing about the marketing holidays lately and how to capitalize on the popularity of these special times for sales! All my top tips and ideas in this super long and in depth article about the main marketing holidays including dates, hashtags and keywords you can use in blog posts and social media.

I have been obsessing about these A LOT lately and figured out that the “normal” way of doing these is to talk about the month the holiday is in, but in reality we need to be looking at it as a function of when we should start marketing!

With this in mind, I breaking this out by national holiday rather than month!

Who is this for? Bloggers, Etsy sellers and social media marketers!

Update!

Just a quick visual to show you the power of seasonal traffic spikes. This is the TRAFFIC to my website from a pin on Pinterest for 4th of July!

Seasonal Marketing Traffic Spike From Pinterest

Holiday Dates Methodology

Before I get started, I would like to talk about how I have come upon these dates for my marketing calendar.

#1 Google Trends – Google has data across years and in all kinds of different industries. They are the best place to check out your dates! Simply search for your holiday and then choose 5 years as the timeline. They all tend to look like this…

There is run-up to the event, a huge peak and then the precipitous drop when the holiday is over. This is the 5 year trend for New Years Eve, but it is like this for all the fixed holidays. Ones like Easter that move around are less fixed, but I figured out the amount of time before the holiday based on the peaks (see below).

Additional Resource: What Is Google Trends and How Do We Use It? by Amber Bracegirdle

#2 Pinterest 2018 Planner– Pinterest put out a report this year that details timelines for major holidays on their platform. I have a wee bit of an inkling that it might be important for Ecommerce sellers as it shows when interest really starts ramping up for planning holidays and occasions.

#3 Hashtags – I used the Hashtagify.me site to find related hashtags and then Instagram search to find even more!

#4 Keywords – Last but not least, I used Ubersuggest to search for related keywords.

Holiday Dates, Ideas, Keywords and Hashtags

New Years (January)

Additional Resources

Google Trends Dates – November 15 – January 4

Pinterest Dates – October-January

Pinterest Searches – Food, resolutions, party ideas, outfit ideas

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #NewYears, #NewYearsEve, #NYE, #NewYear, #NewYearsResolution, #HappyNewYear

Instagram Hashtags – #newyears, #newyearseve, #newyearsparty,

Keywords – Happy new years, destinations, resolutions, countdown to

Valentine's Day (February)

Additional Resources:

Google Trends Dates – January 8 – February 14

Pinterest Dates – December-March

Pinterest Searches – Ideas for kids, DIY, gifts for him, decor

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #ValentinesDay, #Valentine, #Valentines, #love, #Deals, #giveaway

Instagram Hashtags – #valentine, #valentines, #valentine_day, #valentineday, #valentinegift, #valentinesgift

Keywords – Card, outfit, gifts, quotes, flowers, ideas, roses

Spring (March/April)

Google Trends Dates – January 18 – March 15

Pinterest Dates For “Spring Break” – November-April, June-September

Pinterest Searches For “Spring Break” – Destinations, beach outfits, pictures, packing list

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #spring, #flowers, #fashion, #love, #inspiration, #summer

Instagram Hashtags – #spring, #springbreak, #springfashion, #springflowers, #springishere, #springstyle

Keywords – Season, spring break, plant bulbs, spring forward (time change), allergies

St. Patrick's Day (March)

Google Trends Dates – February 1 – March 17

Pinterest Dates – January-April

Pinterest Searches – Crafts for kids, outfit, desserts, decor

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #StPatricksDay, #StPaddysDay, #green, #Irish, #HappyStPatricksDay

Instagram Hashtags – #stpatricksday, #stpats, #stpattys, #stpatty, #stpattyday, #stpattysday

Keywords – Parade, shirts, outfits, celebrate, sayings

Easter (March/April)

Google Trends Dates – February 1 – April 19 (check date for this one… all still started in February)

Pinterest Dates – January-May

Pinterest Searches – Egg hunt ideas, crafts, decorations, dinner

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #Easter, #chocolate, #HappyEaster, #spring, #eggs, #bunny, #GoodFriday

Instagram Hashtags – #easter, #easterbasket, #easterdinner, #easterbrunch, #easterholiday

Keywords – Easter bunny, candy, coloring egg, Sunday, baskets, dinner, recipes, Lent (Christian holiday)

Summer (April/May)

Google Trends Dates – April 15 – June 15

Pinterest Dates -February-September

Pinterest Searches – Bucket list, wedding, dresses, recipes

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #Summer, #fashion, #love, #beach, #fun, #happy, #hot

Instagram Hashtags – #summer, #summertime, #summerday, #summerhair, #summerfashion, #summerdress

Keywords – Summer camp, dresses, jobs, vacation, summer time, dog days, endless, recipes, quotes

Cinco de Mayo (May)

Google Trends Dates – April 15 – May 5

Pinterest Dates -February-June

Pinterest Searches – Decorations, food, wedding ideas, party ideas

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #CincoDeMayo, #CincoDeDrinko, #recipe, #Mexico, #party, #tequila

Instagram Hashtags – #cincodemayo, #cincodedrinko, #cincodemayoparty

Keywords – Activities, food, drink recipes, crafts, decorations, Kentucky Derby, colors

Wedding (May/June)

Google Trends Dates – May – July (and the stats went nuts with the Prince Harry, Meghan Markle wedding in 2018)

Pinterest Dates – N/A

Pinterest Searches – N/A

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #wedding, #weddingdresses, #bridal, #fashion, #bride, #love

Instagram Hashtags – #wedding, #weddingdress, #weddingbells, #weddinghair, #weddingwire, #weddingguests

Keywords – Dress, cake, invitations, beach, gifts, flowers, venues, bands, song, guest, hairstyles

Mother's Day (May)

Google Trends Dates – April 1 – May 13 (check date for this one… all still started in April)

Pinterest Dates -February-June

Pinterest Searches – Crafts for kids, brunch, DIY gifts, grandma

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #MothersDay, #HappyMothersDay, #mothersdaygift, #moms, #mother, #gift, #mom

Instagram Hashtags – #mothersday, #mothersdaygift, #motherdayweekend

Keywords – Card, gift, brunch, diy, crafts

Memorial Day (May)

Google Trends Dates – March 15 – May 30 (check date for this one… all still started in March)

Pinterest Dates – April-June

Pinterest Searches – Food, tribute, activities, bbq

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #memorialday, #memorialdayweekend, #memorial_day, #Veterans, #USA, #military, #thankyou

Instagram Hashtags – #memorialday, #memorialdayweekend, #memorialdaysale, #memorialdayparade

Keywords – Activities, sale, quotes, happy, cemetery, events, brunch, deals, events, holiday

Graduation (May)

Google Trends Dates – March 15 – May 21

Pinterest Dates – May-June

Pinterest Searches – Party ideas, high school, gifts, cap decoration

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #graduation, #highschool, #classof, #party, #happy, #college

Instagram Hashtags – #graduation, #graduationday, #graduation_day, #graduationparty, #graduationpictures

Keywords – Cap, speech, gifts, diploma, gown, party, decorations

Father's Day (June)

Google Trends Dates – May 8 – June 21 (check date for this one… all still started in June)

Pinterest Dates – April-June

Pinterest Searches – Breakfast ideas, cake, gifts from kids, 1st father's day

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #FathersDay, #HappyFathersDay, #dad

Instagram Hashtags – #fathersday, #fathersdaygift, #fathersdayweekend, #fathersdaygifts, #fathersdaydinner

Keywords – Gifts, sale, ideas, cards, diy, necktie

4th of July (July)

Additional Resources:

Google Trends Dates – June 15 – July 4

Pinterest Dates – March-July

Pinterest Searches – Party ideas, food, outfit, nails

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #4thofjuly, #America, #IndependenceDay, #USA, #murica, #Merica, #freedom, #July4th

Instagram Hashtags – #4thofjuly, #4thofjulyweekend, #4thofjulynails, #4thofjulybaby, #4thofjulysale

Keywords – Activities, outfits, party, crafts, decorations, drinks, events, Independence Day, fireworks

Back To School (August)

Additional Resource: How To Do A Back To School Marketing Campaign

Google Trends Dates – July 1 – August 30

Pinterest Dates – July-October

Pinterest Searches – Outfits, hair styles, organization, lunch ideas

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #backtoschool, #education, #schoolsupplies, #BTS, #school

Instagram Hashtags – #backtoschool, #backtoschoolhair, #backtoschoolsale, #backtoschoolspecial

Keywords – Sale, backpack, ideas, hacks, hairstyles, shopping, supplies, school lunches

Labor Day (September)

Google Trends Dates – August 1 – Sept 15 (check date for this one… all still started in August)

Pinterest Dates – August-September

Pinterest Searches – Party ideas, food, outfits, decorations

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #LaborDay, #weekend, #summer, #sale

Instagram Hashtags – #laborday, #labordayparade, #labordayfun, #labordaywknd, #labordaysales, #labordayparty

Keywords – Sale, deals, weekend, events

Fall (September/October)

Google Trends Dates – July 15 – September 30

Pinterest Dates – N/A

Pinterest Searches – N/A

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #fall, #autumn, #pumpkin, #leaves, #nature, #October

Instagram Hashtags – #fall, #fallwedding, #fallback, #fallhair, #falldays

Keywords – Colors, dresses, recipes, fall back (time change), foliage, harvest, leaves

Halloween (October)

Additional Resources:

Google Trends Dates – September 15 – October 31

Pinterest Dates -August-October

Pinterest Searches – Costumes, decorations, food, makeup

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #Halloween, #horror, #costume, #Happy#Halloween, #pumpkin, #party

Instagram Hashtags – #halloween, #halloweenmakeup, #halloweeny, #halloweenparty

Keywords – Costumes, party, cocktails, crafts, diy, decorations, candy, pranks, pumpkin, skeletons, witch

Winter (October/November)

Google Trends Dates – November 1 – December 25th

Pinterest Dates – N/A

Pinterest Searches – N/A

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #winter, #snow, #cold, #Christmas

Instagram Hashtags – #winter, #winterwedding, #wintersun, #winterfun, #winterishere

Keywords – Ball, boots, coats, wonderland, wedding, snow, storm, break

Thanksgiving (November)

Additional resources:

Google Trends Dates – October 15 – November 30 (check date for this one… all still started in October)

Pinterest Dates – June-November

Pinterest Searches – Recipes, desserts, decorations, crafts

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #Thanksgiving, #Turkey, #HappyThanksgiving, #family, #thankful

Instagram Hashtags – #thanksgiving, #thanksgivingday, #thanksgivingeve, #thanksgivingbreak, #thanksgivingdinner, #thanksgivingweekend

Keywords – Dinner, turkey, Thanksgiving Day, recipes, crafts, desserts, quotes, parade

Black Friday (November)

Additional Resources:

Google Trends Dates – November 1 – November 30 (check date for this one… all still started November 1)

Pinterest Dates – June-January

Pinterest Searches – Deals, tips, shopping

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #BlackFriday, #win, #style, #free, newdeals

Instagram Hashtags – #blackfriday, #blackfridaysale, #blackfridaydeals, #blackfridayshopping, #blackfridaysales

Keywords – Sale, deals, ads, countdown

Hanukkah (December)

Google Trends Dates – November 15 – December 30 (check date for this one… all still started November 15-ish)

Pinterest Dates – N/A

Pinterest Searches – N/A

Hashtagify.me Hashtags – #Hanukkah, #holidays, #Chanukah, #gift, #gifts, #HappyHanukkah

Instagram Hashtags – #hanukkah, #hanukkahgifts, #hanukkahgift, #hanukkahparty

Keywords – Gifts, recipes, candles, crafts, festival of lights, menorah

Christmas (December)

Additional Resources:

Google Trends Dates – November 1 – December 25

Pinterest Dates – July-January

Pinterest Searches – Gift ideas, desserts, decorations, crafts

Hashtagify.me Hashtags -#Christmas, #MerryChristmas, #Jesus, #gifts, #holiday, #Bible

Instagram Hashtags – #christmas, #christmastree, #christmastime, #christmaseve, #christmastime, #christmasparty, #christmasgift, #christmaslights

Keywords – Carol, sales, tree, songs, vacation, lights, presents, gifts, bells, angels, cookies, decorations, food, holiday, music, nativity, party

Marketing Holiday's Wrapup

There you have it! Some of the main marketing holidays dates with relevant keywords and hashtags for your blogging and social media holidays. Knowing this data and being able to plan your marketing campaigns out ahead of time will make your planning simple and easy!

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Holiday Calendar Worksheet (Free Download – right click and pick save)
Pinterest Resource Guide
Google Trends

FREE MARKETING DATES WORKSHEET!

Free download... Marketing dates worksheet. Print it out to keep track of the major holidays during the year. Use these tips and ideas to spark your creative marketing ideas for your ecommerce and products. #marketing #infographic

Holiday Marketing Case Study

I thought it would be fun to show you in “real life” how targeting a holiday will work to grow your traffic and reach! So it is 4th of July here in the states, not a “popular” holiday at all, and in a dead time of year for my blog and sales.

But just admitting defeat and saying that I am not even going to try is not in my vocabulary which is why I started trying to “ride the wave” of holidays in the first place!

So here are actual stats for some of my 4th of July marketing efforts …

This first one is for my 4th of July and Patriotic Quotes page that I made a couple of years ago. It generated over 40K impressions on just the first 3 pins in Pinterest and resulted in 91 click throughs to my website. There are three “pins” shown there because one is mine and the other two are pins that other people shared to their own boards! And those are just the popular ones, there are many other pins out there that could be sending traffic to my site!

In fact, Google and Pinterest have sent the same amount of traffic to this page over the last month!

Now, is 300 hits to my 5 YEAR OLD POST going to set the world on fire? Probably not, but based on the fact that my traffic has dropped for my normal marketing posts because of the summer, every little bit helps!

Additional Resource: 3 Advanced Pinterest Marketing Strategies

Google

So now let's look at a post that I wrote specifically to rank for holiday keywords this year. My post, How To Create An Amazing 4th of July Marketing Campaign (Independence Day), got some more traffic to my site this year, but my ultimate goal is to have it around for years and to keep increasing it's views over time every July.

So first off, I wanted to check and see which keywords it ranked for this season!

As you can see, my traffic was split, some of it going to this post that talks about seasonal marketing and some of it that talks about actual 4th of July focused marketing.

Looking at this, I see that I was ranked somewhere in Google for “july marketing themes” because I did get a few clicks for that. So for NEXT year I want to make sure that I have that exact phrase in my post because it seems that people are searching for that phrase.

Popping over to my post I see that I DON'T have that exact phrase in my post…

Well doh, that is super easy to fix… I just added 4th of July to my “themes” subheader and will do better next year because of it!

Just little tiny tweaks like this will make a huge difference in the amount of traffic you receive next year and since you are using actual data about what is working, you know it relevant for your page!

Additional Resource: You could use the Google Search Console to reverse engineer the keywords that exact page ranks for, but I like using Keyword Hero because it compiles all that data for me automatically (#affiliatelink).

In all I got 488 hits to that page this month, not a bad start with a post that is brand new and super niche targeted to one specific holiday!