You should plan your content strategies, advertising campaigns, and promotional plans ahead to boost sales and increase profits.
In online retail or media publishing, you should use every opportunity to drive traffic and sales and convert users into regular customers. Holidays are the perfect occasion for targeting. Priority is to find events that are relevant to your company goals. The marketing calendar with important dates is here for you.
To help you start planning and save your time, we share a list of 30 world-famous feasts. Create a schedule and target your audience throughout the whole year. We recommend some ideas on how to do it meaningfully as even a good reason to celebrate can become a brand’s disaster or even crash.
Use the dates below to make 2022 a profitable year!
TL:DR – Download marketing calendar for 2022
Important dates and holidays in Q1
Table of Contents
New Year’s Day, January 1
Some countries celebrate New Year on different days. For example, in China, it comes from January 21 to February 21, depending on the moon phase. Indians celebrate the feast a few times per year. Moreover, many countries have different calendars. According to the Iranian Calendar, now it is 1399. So that’s the important message to your marketing department. Check the New Year dates before mailing greeting cards and promotional offers to the audiences.
A new year is an excellent chance to start all over again. Many people like challenges, bucket lists, commitments. They often adopt a new lifestyle or improve any skills. Use these facts in your marketing campaign. Help your customers reach their goals by providing helpful content or discount offers. And give them anything for free. People love giveaways.
Christmas Eastern Orthodox, January 7
Following the Julian calendar, the Orthodox Christian community observes the birth of Jesus Christ on January 7. So if your target audience lives in Ukraine, Bulgaria, Russia, or other places with Eastern Orthodox Christian society, prolong your Christmas campaign that you will likely prepare before December 25.
Christmas is a spiritual time. Everyone joins the family and eats a home-cooked meal. People usually give extraordinary gifts by purchasing them during the winter sales. Set special offers to your customers to attract their attention via social media channels, email campaigns, and advertisements. Write a blog post on how your business is preparing for Christmas time, or share any present ideas.
Chinese New Year, February 1 – February 15
This year, China has been observing New Year Day from February 1 to February 8. The festival is based on the Lunar Calendar, that’s why the dates vary a little every year. During the two-week celebration, people participate in Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, and Dragon Boat Festival.
It’s one of the brightest holidays in Chinese culture. If you work with the Chinese community or target people who adhere to the Chinese horoscope, then include this holiday in your marketing strategy. Use Tyger, the year’s symbol, as your main content and design element. Why not?
Olympic Games Beijing 2022, February 4 – February 20
The 2022 Winter Olympics, officially called the XXIV Olympic Winter Games and informally known as Beijing 2022, is an international winter sports event from 4 to February 20, 2022, in Beijing, Yanqing, and Chongli China.
We highly recommend verifying the USOC’s brand guidelines before carrying out any marketing campaigns. The reason is that it’s prohibited to use the Olympic properties. To connect your products or services with the Olympics, associate your brand with motivational slogans.
Valentine’s Day, February 14
The feast of love has spread around the world. People from every corner of the planet mark this day by presenting romantic gifts such as flowers, candies, soft toys, jewelry, and Valentine’s cards. Of course, it is not the whole list of stuff that lowers give to each other.
Preparing your Valentine’s Day marketing campaign, leverage fresh ideas to launch holiday traffic. Send charming emails with Valentine’s cards inside. Set some social media activity adding relevant hashtags to your posts. Write a blog article revealing new thoughts on how to spend the day of love and friendship.
International Women’s Day, March 8
March is a women’s month. They celebrate the feast of rights and gender equality. If your audience consists mainly of ladies, it’s one more chance to pay attention to your female customers and launch campaigns to make the most out of this girls’ holiday. Moreover, the date is associated with the beginning of spring. Use this season’s elements to create the design of your emails or a website.
To be different from your rivals, create a user-generated content (UGC) campaign and give a discount or a gift to award a winner. Also, write about female entrepreneurship or women from your industry and post the article to your blog and Facebook. Storytelling drives traffic and brings leads. You can support any local women’s community and run a charity. If females are your business’s principal readers or buyers, celebrate women’s day all year round.
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17
People from the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand celebrate St. Patrick’s Day, though the date is well-known everywhere. It is a cultural and religious holiday established on the death day of Saint Patrick, who was the foremost patron of Ireland. Traditionally, everyone who observes this feast wears green clothes and anything shamrock-shaped and participates in beer and musical festivals.
Important dates and holidays in Q2
April Fools’ Day, April 1
There is another good reason to show your sense of humor and add a cheerful mood to your brand’s tone of voice. Fools’ Day is famous in different countries, but mostly in the West. The main idea of April Fools’ Day is to joke and have fun. Usually, folks take part in various fests and wear extraordinary costumes.
Launch short videos on your social media channels, Youtube, or your website to drive engagement on this day. This way, you may use a viral marketing strategy to grow the audience.
Pesach, April 15
Pesach (or Passover) will be celebrated from April 15 to April 23. It’s one of the most important religious holidays in the Jewish calendar. Jewish people honor the liberation of Israelites whom Moses led out from Egypt.
Traditionally, a unique home service called the seder includes a festive meal. In addition, Pesach is observed for seven or eight days, depending on family customs. So make sure to congratulate your clients before beginning the major Jewish spring festival.
Easter, April 17
Easter and Christmas are two main Christian holidays, so don’t miss the holy days to send greeting cards to the audience that observes Easter Sunday. The holiday dates can be at any time between April 17 and April 24. Eastern and Western churches keep celebrating Easter according to the different calendars.
Earth Day, April 22
On this day celebrated since 1970, people support our planet’s protection from man-made harm and ecological disasters. They hold events and participate in charity events. Your target audience is those who care about a massive oil spill, wildfires, extinction of some animal species, and conscious consumption.
It would be best if you analyzed whether this theme is relevant to your business. But first of all, think if it correlates with your principles. If yes, demonstrate your company’s attitude toward saving the planet. Charity events are a good idea as well. You can demonstrate how your products can contribute to such movements.
Easter (Orthodox), April 24
According to estimates, there are more than 250 million Orthodox Christians globally. They celebrate Easter (or Pascha) based on the Julian Calendar instead of many western countries that follow the Gregorian one. A lamb, hard-boiled eggs, and red dessert wine are the most common Christian symbols associated with Easter.
Businesses that run spring sales around Easter are getting bigger and bigger. The first thing to remember is that holidays are religious. Therefore, you do not need to speculate on them.
Mother’s Day, May 8
Mothers, grandmothers, and mothers-to-be are the leading figures of this day. The holiday recognizes women’s important contributions to personal and social life. Mother’s Day originates from the USA, where it remains one of the meaningful days of the year.
Besides, the holiday is popular in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India, China, Japan, and most European countries. Since the celebration is becoming more marketable, many brands organize heartwarming campaigns. Many countries have different days for celebration, so verify them before targeting.
Eurovision Song Contest, May 10 – May 14
The international song contest released first in 1956 is little known in the USA because European countries mainly participate in it. The entertaining performances of the artists are always broadcasted live on air. Every participant presents an original song. Television viewers and jury members vote for the winner in the final stage.
Unfortunately, this year organizers announced the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest because of the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19 virus. But we hope that it will take place next year and you will be able to speak about this event through your social media channels.
Unfortunately, this year organizers announced the cancellation of the Eurovision Song Contest because of the recent outbreak of the Coronavirus COVID-19 virus. But we hope that it will take place next year and you will be able to speak about this event through your social media channels.
Cannes Film Festival 2020, May 17 – May 28
Suppose the film industry is a close theme to your customers and potential audience. In that case, it’s worth adding the festival to your holiday marketing strategy—one of the most incredible film events along with the Berlin International Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival.
The movie news and reviews will always be on top. Compose the list of the most rated films or create your short film and post it to the video blog. If your company is big, arrange polling for the best movie of the current year among the team members and publish the results on site. The event might be postponed or shifted to June or July concerning a coronavirus outbreak.
International Children’s Day, June 1
If you deal with children’s products or topics of responsible parenthood, then this day should be on top of your holiday list. The World Conference on Child Welfare proclaimed International Children’s Day in 1925. Since that, people annually celebrate on the first day of summer. The events are devoted to children’s rights and wellbeing.
Universal Children’s Day, another similar event, falls on November 20. The United Nations established it in 1954 to protect all children worldwide. If you do not know which date to choose for greetings, send your congratulations twice.
Father’s Day, June 19
People who live in the US, Canada, European countries, India, China, and Japan, besides Mother’s Day celebrate Father’s Day. Though, it’s not such a commercial holiday as Mother’s Day.
Many countries celebrate it on a different day, so check the dates before targeting the audience related to fatherhood. Then, reach high engagement by preparing some interactive content such as dad’s quizzes, photo contests, and personality tests.
Important dates and holidays in Q3
International Day of Friendship, July 30
On April 27, 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared July 30 as official International Friendship Day. Though as early as 1930, the founder of Hallmark cards incorporated the idea to celebrate friendship.
Historically many countries commemorate Friends’ Day on various days of the year. Prepare a few campaigns to launch them according to different dates. Set up a photo contest and give something for free to those customers who will post the funniest picture with their buddies on social media.
2022–23 UEFA Champions League, September 6, 2022 – June 10, 2023
The 2022–23 UEFA Champions League is the 68th season of Europe’s premier club football tournament organized by UEFA. The final will be played at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. The stadium was supposed to host the 2020-2021 UEFA Champions League Final, but it was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
One of the most significant football events, with millions of people worldwide cheering for their favorite club. It is an excellent opportunity to attract audiences by posting recent news, highlights, or your team’s predictions for the winner.
Oktoberfest, September 17 – October 3
It’s time to create fun content around world-famous beer and musical festivals. If your target audience is from Germany or a fan of the event, you should not miss these dates. It’s the world’s largest beer fest that attracts more than 6 million visitors from different corners to visit Munich.
Come up with a fun blog post to embrace the Oktoberfest spirit. Then, create funny marketing activities around your items or services. Finally, visit it by yourself and launch a live interactive show.
Rosh Hashanah, September 25
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year that falls in late September. It marks the start of the year 5783 on the Jewish calendar. Usually, Jews take two days off to gather with their families and prepare holiday meals. With Yom Kippur, it’s an important feast that carries religious significance.
That’s why do not make the greetings too commercial because, unlike the traditional celebration of New Year, Rosh Hashanah is a time for reflection and repentance of sins.
Important dates and holidays in Q4
World Mental Health Day, October 10
The World Health Organisation recognizes this day every year with the purpose of suicide prevention in the world.
Although it’s not a positive theme, you should highlight it, especially if your business is related to medicine.
Diwali, October 24
Hindu Festival of Lights is one of the most popular holidays of all Hindus worldwide. This is because it honors the triumph of good over evil and light over dark.
Preparation for Diwali takes a lot of time. Families clean and decorate their homes and buy new clothes and accessories to present during the festival.
Halloween, October 31
Halloween originally came from Ireland. Then, a festival marked the end of the harvest season and the coming of winter. Now Halloween is one of the favorite days of millions of people. Western countries arrange celebrations that are usually accompanied by spooky and, at the same time, funny activities.
Add this day to your marketing plan as it is viral among youth. Share some ideas with the audience about how your brand will be spending Halloween, showing the costumes and decorations you prepare. Then, send some “horrible” emails with the promotional offers of your products or services.
FIFA World Cup 2022, November 21 – December 18
This is one of the biggest sporting events of 2022 – The FIFA World Cup will occur in Qatar. It marks the first-ever football World Cup to be hosted in the Middle East and the second World Cup held entirely in Asia, besides the tournament held in South Korea and Japan in 2002. Because of Qatar’s summer heat waves, this World Cup will take place later than usual in November and December instead of the regular May, June, or July.
It is a huge international event that numerous people are excited about, it naturally presents an attractive marketing opportunity. So get creative and set free your competitive sporty side! Passions run high, so are engagement rates.
Black Friday, November 25
This crazy day means everything for the shoppers. It comes right after American Thanksgiving. So if you run an e-commerce business, you must start preparing Black Friday sales as early as possible.
Some companies choose another way of using high consumer interest for this period. They promote slow and responsible shopping, of course, offering discounts too. This way, they look different during the holiday shopping season.
Cyber Monday, November 38
Monday right after Black Friday is known as Cyber Monday. In the last few years, people have been shopping online more on this day because some retailers set even higher discounts.
While Black Friday is associated with the regular offline business, Cyber Monday brings much traffic to e-commerce brands. It is more popular in the USA and other western regions.
Hanukkah, December 18 – 26
The Jewish community commemorates The Festival of Lights, which is continuing eight days and nights. Even though families present gifts and organize everyday dinners, it’s not Christmas. Before adding this holiday to your plan, learn about its origin.
Candles are the main symbol of Hanukkah. Use it in your promotional campaigns and greeting cards. Propose any coupons for future sales by sending triggered emails to your customers.
Christmas Eve, December 24 – 25
Christmas is an annual religious holiday that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Billions of Christians worldwide celebrate it gathering with their families for traditional meals and gifts exchange. Christmas is a public holiday in many places so prepare your congratulations beforehand.
Besides the special offers that every company tries to offer each year, concentrate on warm-hearted greetings and wishes. Don’t miss sharing some fresh thoughts in a blog on how to spend Christmas or how to prepare an unusual present. Give some hints demonstrating your stuff as well.
New Year’s Eve, December 31
The last day of the year falls on December 31. Many countries celebrate it in pubs, nightclubs, concerts, or other public places. Traditionally, families gather at home for a typical dinner to say goodbye to the year. After feasting and gifts exchanges, people watch or light fireworks. New Year’s Eve celebrations go on the next day, on January 1. Besides public festivities, people from Ghana, South Sudan, and Bangladesh go to the church.
December is a perfect time to take stock of achievements and challenges. And it’s a good idea to tell your audience about the progress your business has made for the passing year.
Build stable customer relationships using holiday marketing calendar
We hope this guide will help you create your own 2022 marketing calendar based on your business needs. Every event is a good reason to improve brand awareness and boost sales, so use the opportunities for sincere greetings and marketing ideas.
Some holidays require thorough preparation. Start planning as early as possible not to miss important occasions and major holidays relevant to your brand.
To drive traffic constantly, use Adtelligent demand-side platform. It’s a self-serve advertising platform for granular targeting to reach your audience and boost performance and sales.