2026 Social media holiday calendar
We get it — keeping track of all the fun holidays, national days, and social media-worthy moments throughout the year can be overwhelming. To make things easy, we've created the one and only 2026 social media holiday calendar you need to make new connections and strengthen the ones you already have with your audience.
Right after the holiday calendar for social media, you'll find content ideas, hashtag suggestions, and social media content examples for the key dates!
Let's make 2026 a year of high engagement, virality, and strong bonds!
Click to jump: 2026 social media holidays 📣
2026 Holiday calendar for social media
January 2026
All month
National Hobby Month
All month
Veganuary
All month
Dry January
January 01
New Year's Day
January 02
National Science Fiction Day
January 02
World Introvert Day
January 02
International Stop Spam Day
January 03
International Mind-Body Wellness Day
January 04
World Braille Day
January 04
National Spaghetti Day
January 05
National Bird Day
January 06
Cuddle Up Day
Cuddle Up Day is all about warmth, comfort, and connection. Whether you are snuggling with a loved one, a pet, or a cozy blanket, it is a simple excuse to slow down and enjoy closeness. Embrace the coziness and share the love.
January 11
Learn Your Name in Morse Code Day
January 12
Clean Off Your Desk Day
January 13
National Gluten-Free Day
January 13
Make Your Dream Come True Day
January 14
World Logic Day
January 14
Take the Stairs Day
January 16
National Nothing Day
National Nothing Day was created as a day to celebrate nothing at all. Unlike other observances that demand activities or traditions, this one is intentionally uneventful. Celebrate by doing absolutely nothing and enjoying a rare moment with no added obligations.
January 19
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (US)
January 19
National Popcorn Day
January 21
Museum Selfie Day
January 21
National Hugging Day
January 22
Celebration of Life Day
January 24
International Day of Education
January 24
National Compliment Day
January 27
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 28
Data Privacy Day
January 28
International Lego Day
January 29
National Puzzle Day
January 30
National Fun at Work Day
January 30
National Croissant Day
January 31
National Hot Chocolate Day
February 2026
All month
Black History Month (US and Canada)
February 01
National Freedom Day (US)
February 01
World Hijab Day
February 02
World Wetlands Day
February 02
Groundhog Day (US and Canada)
February 02
2FA Day
February 04
Facebook anniversary
February 04
World Cancer Day
February 05
World Nutella Day
World Nutella Day celebrates the iconic hazelnut spread through recipes, treats, and shared moments. It works well for playful food content and lighthearted engagement.
February 06
National Wear Red Day (US)
February 06–22
Olympic Winter Games Milan-Cortina 2026
February 10
Safer Internet Day
February 11
International Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 12
Giving Hearts Day
February 12
Fat Thursday
February 13
World Radio Day
February 14
Valentine's Day
February 17
Lunar New Year
February 17
Mardi Gras
February 17
Random Acts of Kindness Day
February 18
Ash Wednesday
February 18
National Battery Day
February 18
Ramadan begins (Estimated; varies by moon sighting)
February 20
World Day of Social Justice
February 20
National Day of Solidarity with Muslim, Arab, and South Asian Immigrants (US)
February 21
International Mother Language Day
February 22
Single Tasking Day
Single Tasking Day highlights the value of focus in a multitasking world. It's a great moment to encourage intentional work, digital boundaries, and calm productivity.
February 23
Pinocchio Day
February 26
Carpe Diem Day
February 27
World NGO Day
February 28
Rare Disease Day
March 2026
All month
Women's History Month (US)
March 01
Share a Smile Day
March 03
Simplify Your Life Day
March 03
World Wildlife Day
March 03–04
Holi and Holika Dahan (dates vary by region)
March 06–07
Global Day of Unplugging
A 24-hour digital detox that encourages people to step away from screens and reconnect offline.
March 08
International Women's Day
March 09
Barbie Day
March 10
Mario Day
March 13
World Sleep Day
March 14
White Day
March 14
Pi Day
March 15
Everything You Think Is Wrong Day
March 16
Everything You Do Is Right Day
March 17
St. Patrick's Day
March 18
Global Recycling Day
March 20
Nowruz
Nowruz marks the Persian New Year and the start of spring, centered on renewal, fresh beginnings, and hope.
March 20
International Day of Happiness
March 20
March Equinox
March 20
Eid al-Fitr (estimated, varies by moon sighting)
March 21
World Down Syndrome Day
March 21
World Poetry Day
March 22
World Water Day
March 25
International Waffle Day
March 27
World Theatre Day
March 28
Earth Hour
March 30
International Day of Zero Waste
March 31
World Backup Day
March 31
Transgender Day of Visibility
April 2026
April 01
April Fool's Day
April 01
National Walking Day
April 02
World Autism Awareness Day
April 02
National DIY Day
April 03
Good Friday
April 05
Easter Sunday
April 06
Easter Monday
April 06
National Açaí Bowl Day
National Açaí Bowl Day celebrates the colorful, nutrient-packed bowl typically topped with fruit and granola. It's a strong fit for food, wellness, and lifestyle content, and a quick hook for spring-themed posts.
April 07
World Health Day
April 08
International Day of Pink
April 10
Global Work From Home Day
April 13
National Scrabble Day
April 14
Look Up at the Sky Day
April 14
Vaisakhi (Baisakhi)
April 17
Blah Blah Blah Day
Blah Blah Blah Day is a lighthearted moment that nudges people to act on all the reminders they've been hearing. It works well for humorous content, productivity tips, and brand updates that have been pending.
April 18
National Exercise Day
April 19
Bicycle Day
April 21
World Creativity and Innovation Day
April 22
International Mother Earth Day
April 23
World Book and Copyright Day
April 25
World Malaria Day
April 28
World Day for Safety and Health at Work
April 29
International Dance Day
April 30
Stop Food Waste Day
April 30
International Jazz Day
April 30
National Bubble Tea Day
May 2026
All month
Mental Health Awareness Month
May 01
International Workers' Day
May 01
Vesak (Buddha Day)
May 02
International Harry Potter Day
May 03
World Press Freedom Day
May 03
World Laughter Day
May 04
Star Wars Day
May 04
Anti-Bullying Day
Anti-Bullying Day is dedicated to raising awareness about the harm bullying causes and encouraging kinder, safer communities. It's a strong moment for values-led content and supportive messaging.
May 05
World Portuguese Language Day
May 07
World Password Day
May 08
World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
May 08
World Donkey Day
May 09
Europe Day
May 09
National Lost Sock
Memorial Day
National Lost Sock Memorial Day is a humorous day to mourn the mystery of missing socks. It's perfect for relatable memes, quick polls, and light brand humor that invites your audience to share their own stories.
May 10
Mother's Day (observed in many countries)
May 15
International Day of Families
May 15
Bike to Work Day
May 17
World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
May 17
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
May 18
International Museum Day
May 20
World Bee Day
May 21
International Tea Day
May 22
International Day for Biological Diversity
May 27
World Marketing Day
May 31
World No Tobacco Day
May 31
National Smile Day
National Smile Day celebrates the impact of a smile on mood, connection, and confidence. It's a simple moment for uplifting, community-focused content.
June 2026
All month
Pride Month
Pride Month is celebrated throughout June and honors the LGBTQ+ community, their history, identities, and ongoing fight for equality. It’s a time to amplify diverse voices, show allyship, and celebrate self-expression and inclusion. If you choose to participate as a brand, sincerity and authenticity are a must. Avoid rainbow washing or surface-level posts that don’t reflect real support. Instead, share real stories, spotlight LGBTQ+ creators or employees, support relevant causes, and back your message with meaningful actions year-round.
June 01
Say Something Nice Day
June 01
Global Day of Parents
June 03
World Bicycle Day
June 05
World Environment Day
June 08
World Oceans Day
June 11–July 19
FIFA World Cup 2026
June 12
World Day Against Child Labour
June 14
World Blood Donor Day
June 15
Nature Photography Day
June 18
International Picnic Day
June 20
World Refugee Day
June 21
Summer Solstice
June 21
International Yoga Day
June 21
Father's Day
June 21
Selfie Day
Selfie Day celebrates self-expression through photos. It's a strong moment for creators, teams, behind-the-scenes content, and community spotlights that feel human and personal.
June 23
International Women in Engineering Day
June 25
Global Beatles Day
June 26
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
June 30
Social Media Day
Social Media Day highlights the impact of social platforms on communication, creativity, and community. It's a great time to share wins, lessons learned, top-performing posts, and a look at what's next.
July 2026
July 01
International Joke Day
July 06
International Kissing Day
July 07
World Chocolate Day
July 11
World Population Day
July 15
Give Something Away Day
July 17
World Emoji Day
World Emoji Day celebrates the playful visual language of digital communication. It's perfect for interactive posts, emoji polls, caption games, and story stickers that boost replies and shares.
July 18
Nelson Mandela International Day
July 19
National Ice Cream Day (US)
July 19
FIFA World Cup final
July 20
National Moon Day
July 28
World Nature Conservation Day
July 30
International Day of Friendship
August 2026
August 01
World Wide Web Day
August 08
International Cat Day
August 09
International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples
August 09
Book Lovers Day
August 10
Lazy Day
August 12
International Youth Day
August 15
National Relaxation Day
August 19
World Humanitarian Day
August 19
World Photography Day
August 20
World Mosquito Day
August 23
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition
August 26
International Dog Day
August 26
Women's Equality Day (US)
August 27
Just Because Day
Just Because Day encourages spontaneous acts of joy with no big reason needed. It's ideal for surprise offers, random shout-outs, small gifts, and playful content that feels genuinely human.
August 30
National Beach Day (US)
August 31
International Overdose Awareness Day
September 2026
September 01
World Letter Writing Day
September 05
International Day of Charity
September 06
Read a Book Day
September 07
Labor Day (US)
September 08
International Literacy Day
September 09
Teddy Bear Day
September 10
World Suicide Prevention Day
September 11–13
Rosh Hashanah (begins at sundown, varies by location)
September 15
International Day of Democracy
September 18
Cheeseburger Day
September 21
World Gratitude Day
September 21
International Day of Peace
September 22–23
September Equinox
September 25
World Dream Day
World Dream Day centers on imagining bold futures and taking small steps toward them. It works well for goal-setting content, community prompts, and brand storytelling around long-term vision.
September 27
World Tourism Day
September 29
World Heart Day
September 30
International Podcast Day
October 2026
All month
Breast Cancer Awareness Month
All month
Cybersecurity Awareness Month
October 01
International Coffee Day
October 01
World Vegetarian Day
October 02
World Smile Day
October 04
World Animal Day
October 05
World Teachers' Day
October 09
World Post Day
October 10
World Mental Health Day
October 11
International Day
of the Girl Child
International Day of the Girl Child highlights the challenges girls face worldwide and supports rights, education, and opportunity. It's a meaningful moment for values-driven content, partnerships, and community spotlights.
October 13
International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
October 16
World Food Day
October 24
United Nations Day
October 25
World Pasta Day
October 28
National Chocolate Day
National Chocolate Day is a simple seasonal hook for cozy creative, limited offers, and playful user-generated content prompts.
October 31
Halloween
November 2026
All month
Movember
November 01
World Vegan Day
November 04
Stress Awareness Day (UK)
November 05
World Tsunami Awareness Day
November 08
Diwali (date varies by region)
November 10
World Science Day for Peace and Development
November 13
World Kindness Day
November 14
World Diabetes Day
November 15
National Recycling Day (US)
November 16
International Day for Tolerance
International Day for Tolerance promotes understanding and respect across cultures, beliefs, and communities. It's a good opportunity for thoughtful posts, community guidelines reminders, and education-led content.
November 19
World Toilet Day
World Toilet Day highlights the importance of safe sanitation and hygiene. Brands can use this day to amplify nonprofit work, share educational content, or support awareness efforts with sensitivity and respect.
November 19
International Men's Day
November 20
Universal Children's Day
November 21
World Hello Day
November 25
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
November 26
Thanksgiving (US)
November 27
Black Friday
November 28
Small Business Saturday
November 30
Cyber Monday
December 2026
December 01
World AIDS Day
December 01
GivingTuesday
December 01
National Women Support Women Day
December 03
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
December 03
Let's Hug Day
Let's Hug Day is a reminder of the comfort and connection that a simple hug can bring. It's a natural fit for community-led posts, gratitude messages, and warm end-of-year storytelling.
December 04
National Cookie Day
December 04
Hanukkah begins (at sundown, dates vary)
December 05
International Volunteer Day
December 05
World Turkish Coffee Day
World Turkish Coffee Day celebrates the tradition of brewing and serving Turkish coffee. It's a cozy seasonal moment for rituals, hospitality-themed content, and warm community engagement.
December 07
National Slime Day
December 08
Pretend to Be a Time Traveler Day
December 09
Christmas Card Day
December 10
Human Rights Day
December 18
World Arabic Language Day
December 18
International Migrants Day
December 21
December Solstice
December 24
Christmas Eve
December 25
Christmas Day
December 26
Boxing Day
December 26
Kwanzaa begins
December 28
International Cinema Day
International Cinema Day marks the anniversary of the first commercial movie screening in 1895. It's a great excuse for watchlists, short-form storytelling, and community prompts about favorite films.
December 31
New Year's Eve
Social media holiday hashtags
Hashtags help your content reach people who are already engaging with specific moments and conversations. During holidays and awareness days, they act as discovery tools that connect your posts with users searching or browsing around the same topic.
A simple approach works best:
- One broad topic hashtag related to your industry
- One holiday or observance hashtag
- One branded or campaign-specific hashtag
You definitely don’t need to overload your posts.
Even if a hashtag isn’t trending, it can still increase visibility in smaller, more relevant feeds. On platforms like Instagram, placing hashtags in the comments instead of the caption can help keep your post visually clean while still benefiting from reach. And TikTok hashtags are known for their power to expand your reach.
What to post and how to plan around social media holidays
A social media holiday calendar works best when it supports your strategy, not when it dictates it. You don't need to post on every single date. Instead, focus on the moments that align with your audience, brand values, and available resources.
You can start by grouping social media holidays into themes such as
- Community and culture
- Education and awareness
- Humor and internet culture
- Seasonal and lifestyle moments
- Product or feature relevance
Once grouped, decide what role each holiday plays. Some days are perfect for storytelling, others for interaction, and some for campaigns or promotions.
Engaging content ideas to keep things fresh
To avoid repetition throughout the year, rotate your content formats for each social media holiday and build a small mix of repeatable series. Different formats serve different goals, so choose them based on what you want the post to achieve when celebrating holidays on social media.
- 💎 Carousels for step-by-step tips, checklists, myths vs. facts, and save-worthy summaries.
- 🎬 Short-form video for storytelling like Instagram Reels, behind-the-scenes moments, tutorials, before-and-after content, and quick reactions to trends.
- 💬 Polls and questions for low-effort engagement, audience research, and collecting content ideas directly from your community.
- ⚡ Stories for quick updates, daily moments, countdowns, reposting user-generated content, and testing ideas before turning them into bigger posts.
- 🎤 Live sessions for Q&As, product walkthroughs, interviews, and community discussions that build trust and real-time connection.
- 🧩 Keep a simple content bank with your best hooks, prompts, and visuals.
- 🔄 Reuse high-performing ideas in new formats, refresh the angle, and tie them to different holidays or themes instead of starting from scratch every time.
Get ahead with holiday campaigns
For larger moments, early planning makes a noticeable difference. So, announcing or teasing a campaign before the actual holiday helps you stand out on social media platforms before timelines become crowded.
For example, seasonal sales or year-end campaigns often perform better when they start weeks in advance instead of launching on the exact day. Planning ahead also gives you time to prepare visuals, approvals, and alternative formats.
Creative greeting cards & timing
Social media holiday greeting cards are a timeless tradition. But to make them stand out, add a unique spin that reflects your brand’s personality. You can share your greeting card a few days before the big holiday to give it a higher chance of being seen. Posting right on the holiday may result in it getting lost in the sea of other holiday content.
If you’re maintaining a holiday social media calendar, consider batching your seasonal designs in advance so your social media calendar holiday plans don’t get derailed when timelines get busy.
Show off your brand's personality
Holidays aren't just about the big celebrations—they're a chance to showcase your brand's culture and values. For quirky observances like National Pizza Day or National Techie Day, get creative and relate them back to your brand. A fun story about how your team celebrates (or doesn't celebrate) these quirky days can build a stronger connection with your audience.
This is where social media holidays shine: They give you a low-pressure reason to show up, be human, and build community. It's one of the biggest benefits of using a holiday calendar for social media instead of planning content in isolation.
A simple framework to plan social media holiday content
Use this quick workflow to turn any date in the calendar into a clear, purposeful post without overthinking it:
- Pick the date
Choose a holiday that aligns with your audience, brand values, or current goals. You don't need to use every holiday. - Choose the goal
Decide what the post is meant to achieve. This could be awareness, engagement, traffic, conversions, or community building. - Choose the format
Select the format that best supports your goal, such as a carousel, short-form video, story, poll, or live session. - Write the hook
Focus on the first line or visual. Tie it directly to the holiday and make it clear why it matters to your audience. - Publish and measure
Track engagement, saves, clicks, and comments. Note what worked and reuse the insight for the next holiday.
Giveaways & contests: Perfect for holidays
Who doesn't love a good giveaway?
Holidays provide the perfect excuse for engaging in contests or interactive giveaways. Whether it's a caption contest with a holiday theme or a simple like-to-enter giveaway, these activities can spark excitement and drive traffic to your page. The key is to keep it relevant to the holiday and your audience's interests.
When you're using the 2026 social media holiday calendar, shortlist giveaway-friendly moments early so you can line up legal checks, prizes, and creative assets without rushing.
Review and learn from holiday campaigns
After major holidays or campaigns, take time to review performance. Look at engagement, saves, clicks, and comments rather than only reach.
You should ask questions like:
- Which holidays drove meaningful interaction?
- What formats worked best?
- Did timing affect performance?
These insights help refine your approach and make your social media holiday calendar for future years more effective and less guesswork-driven.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions
What holiday is today?
Today’s holiday depends on the date and your location. Social media holidays include global observances, awareness days, and fun internet trends. Checking a holiday calendar helps you identify what’s being celebrated today and whether it’s relevant for your audience.
What is the next holiday on the calendar?
The next holiday depends on the current date. A holiday calendar helps you see upcoming global observances, awareness days, and social media moments so you can plan content ahead instead of posting last minute.
What is a holiday calendar?
A holiday calendar is a list of important dates, including public holidays, awareness days, and social media holidays. It helps individuals and teams plan campaigns, content, and promotions around moments people already care about.
How to create a holiday calendar in Excel?
To create a holiday calendar in Excel, list dates in one column and holiday names in another. Add notes for campaign ideas, platforms, or content types. Color-code key moments and update them regularly to keep your planning organized.
Is this an international calendar?
Yes. The calendar includes global observances and widely recognized regional holidays. For region-specific campaigns, always confirm local public holidays.
Why do some dates vary?
Some observances follow lunar calendars or begin at sundown. Time zones and moon sightings can shift dates slightly depending on location.
Do I need to post on every holiday?
No. The most effective holiday calendar for social media is selective. Focus on relevance, not volume.
How far ahead should I plan?
Major campaigns benefit from planning four to eight weeks ahead. Smaller social media holidays can usually be planned one to two weeks in advance.
What's the difference between a holiday calendar and a content calendar?
A holiday calendar shows what's happening. A content calendar defines what you'll post, when, in what format, and for what goal.
How should I choose the right holidays for my brand?
Use three filters: relevance to your audience, alignment with your brand values, and your ability to add something meaningful or entertaining to the conversation.
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