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National celebrations, awareness days, fundraising challenges and other calendar events can be highly useful when assembling your brand’s social media content plan. Whether they relate directly to your business or industry, or you simply want to make your audience aware of an important cause, incorporating a selection of them into your upcoming strategy is a great way to boost your reach and engagement, and show your followers what really matters to you. To help you identify your favourites, we’ve put together this handy infographic outlining some of the top UK national days in 2023. Once you’ve checked out the graphic, scroll down below it to view our content ideas for each event!
January
All month - Veganuary
Go meat-free, enjoy vegan food and learn about the benefits of veganism throughout January. A fantastic event for restaurants, cafés and other food and drink brands to incorporate into their marketing plans, especially those that focus on plant-based products of course.
All month - Dry January
Dry January is a public health campaign which encourages people to go alcohol-free for the month in order to experience the wellbeing benefits of sobriety. This is an excellent opportunity for beverage brands and hospitality businesses to promote soft drinks and remind customers that there are plenty of ways to have fun without booze!
1st January - New Year’s Day
The first day of the year is the perfect time for a fresh start! Wish your followers a Happy New Year, reflect on your business achievements from 2022 and share your excitement for 2023. Because New Year’s Day falls on a Sunday next year, the official bank holiday will take place on the following day, Monday 2nd January.
16th January - Blue Monday/Brew Monday
Every year, the third Monday of January is dubbed ‘Blue Monday’, supposedly due to it being ‘the most depressing day of the year’ here in the Northern Hemisphere. Mental health charity Samaritans prefers to call it ‘Brew Monday’ however, encouraging people to reach out for a cup of tea and a catch-up with those they care about.
22nd January - Chinese New Year
On the traditional lunisolar and solar Chinese calendar, the next Year of the Rabbit begins on Sunday 22nd January. Celebrations will conclude on Sunday 5th February with the iconic Lantern Festival.
25th - Burns Night
This day celebrates the life and work of Robert Burns who is considered to be the national poet of Scotland. Add this one to your diary if your business is Scottish, has locations in Scotland or is hosting a traditional Burns Supper of haggis, neeps and tatties!
February
All month - LGBT History Month
Throughout February, the history of the LGBTQ+ community is acknowledged and celebrated, along with the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements. It’s the perfect time for you to uplift your LGBTQ+ team members and show your support for your fans and customers in the community.
4th - World Cancer Day
This day aims to raise awareness of cancer and encourage its prevention, detection and treatment. Supported by cancer charities worldwide, its goal is to unite people together in the fight against the global cancer epidemic. Are you planning to do some fundraising?
14th - Valentine’s Day
The most romantic day of the year! Show your love for your customers and fans, and don’t forget to promote Valentine’s-themed products, meals or getaways during the run-up to this event.
21st - Pancake Day
Observed in many Christian countries, Shrove Tuesday is informally known as Pancake Day here in the UK, and is the last day before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. It’s another good one for food and hospitality brands to celebrate, particularly those specialising in breakfast foods!
March
1st - St David’s Day
This is Wales’ official national day, honouring the country’s patron saint, St David. It features bright yellow daffodils, green leeks and vibrant traditional dress, and is of course a great event for Welsh businesses to celebrate on social!
2nd - World Book Day
On this day, every child in full-time education in the UK and Ireland is given a voucher to be spent on books. The day’s motto is ‘Changing lives through a love of books and reading’. Why not share a Story or photo of your team dressed up as their favourite book characters?
17th - Comic Relief (Red Nose Day)
Comic Relief’s annual telethon will take place on Red Nose Day as always. If your brand is fundraising for this brilliant charity, share your team’s efforts on social and let your audience know how they can get involved.
17th - St Patrick’s Day
Ireland’s official national day honours the country’s patron saint, St Patrick, and is celebrated in both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, so if your brand is Irish or has locations in either country, share your festivities on social media!
18th - Global Recycling Day
A day to recognise the important role of recycling in protecting the planet and reducing waste. Let your audience know what steps your business is taking to help the environment and reuse materials, for example in your product packaging.
19th - Mother’s Day
Share your gratitude and appreciation for mums and other maternal figures on Mothering Sunday, or promote cards, gifts, flowers or dinner reservations for the occasion.
26th - BST Begins
The clocks go forward by one hour on 26th March, marking the start of British Summer Time.
April
1st - April Fools Day
Prank your social media followers and pretend you’re launching a crazy new product, make up a fake name for a rebrand or design a spoof ad campaign on April Fools Day. (Just remember to tell them it was a joke afterwards so nobody’s left confused or disappointed!)
7th - Good Friday
Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and is also a bank holiday, marking the start of the Easter weekend. It usually falls within the two-week Easter break for UK schools.
9th - Easter Sunday
Time to feast on chocolate, take part in an egg hunt and wish your audience a Happy Easter! If your business is in the food and drink industry, promote your best Easter-themed treats, or if you’re a part of the hospitality industry, share fun family events in your area that can be combined with a visit to your location.
23rd - St George’s Day
England’s official national day honours the country’s patron saint, St George. It’s not a bank holiday, but is still a great day to add to your diary if your brand wants to celebrate all things traditionally English - such as Shakespeare, whose birthday was also on this day!
May
All month - National Share-a-Story Month
You can use this event to share the story of your business and how it first started, or ask your followers to tell their own stories in the comments.
All month - National Walking Month
National Walking Month is hosted by UK charity Living Streets and promotes walking as an alternative to driving, for health, safety and environmental purposes. Are you planning to take part?
20th - World Whisky Day
Perfect for pubs, bars and distilleries, this day celebrates all types of whisky, from American bourbon to classic Scotch. Promote the whiskies available on your drinks menu or share a tasty cocktail recipe.
22nd-28th - British Sandwich Week
This is another fun event for restaurants, cafés and other food brands. Post some sandwich trivia, offer a deal or discount on sandwiches, or participate in the official ‘Sammies’ awards!
June
All month - Pride
Pride Month honours the 1969 Stonewall uprising and is a celebration of the LGBTQ+ community. Just like LGBT history month, Pride is a great opportunity to show support for your LGBTQ+ team members, fans and customers.
5th - World Environment Day
This day encourages awareness and action for the protection of the environment. Share some key facts with your audience, or tell them how your brand is doing its bit to help reduce pollution and stop climate change.
8th - World Oceans Day
Much like World Environment Day, this day aims to remind people of the importance of protecting our oceans, and raise awareness of water pollution and its impact on marine wildlife.
15th - Beer Day Britain
A big event for pubs, bars and breweries to celebrate! Promote your best beers and invite your followers to join the National Cheers To Beer at 7pm.
18th - Father’s Day
Display your gratitude and appreciation for dads and other father figures on this day, or promote cards, gifts, activities or dinner reservations.
28th - Eid al-Adha
Also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, this is one of the main holidays celebrated in Islam. Celebrate with your Muslim team members, fans and customers!
July
All month - Plastic Free July
Share your brand’s efforts to reduce its plastic waste throughout July and take the opportunity to educate your audience about the devastating environmental effects of single-use plastics.
All month - National Picnic Month
Another relevant promotional event for food and drink brands, picnic month is an ideal time to encourage your fans to enjoy some fresh air and eat outdoors with friends and family.
All month - Talk To Us
Samaritans’ awareness campaign takes place every July, reminding people that they’re here for anyone who is struggling and needs someone to listen. Share some mental health resources with your followers and let them know that help is available.
15th - Social Media Giving Day
Created by Givver.com, which was a platform for fundraising on Twitter in 2013, this day celebrates the generosity and charitable capabilities of social media. Thank your followers for their support by giving something back to them, or donate to an organisation of your choice.
August
8th - International Cat Day
This is the purr-fect day for feline fans to show their appreciation for cats and educate people about how they can be protected. Are any of your team members cat lovers?
19th - World Photo Day
World Photo Day is an annual worldwide recognition of the art, craft, science and history of photography. Post your brand’s favourite pictures on social using the #WorldPhotographyDay tag, or ask your customers to share UGC of themselves enjoying your product or service.
26th - International Dog Day
Just a couple of weeks after International Cat Day, it’s time to celebrate our canine companions! Upload a cute photo of your office dog or donate to a relevant charity.
28th - Summer Bank Holiday
On bank holiday Monday, share summer vibes with your social media followers, promote family days out or ask them how they’re spending the day off work.
September
All month - Organic September
If your food and drink business or restaurant uses organic ingredients, September is an ideal time to highlight this and inform your audience why organic farming is beneficial for our climate, nature and health.
5th - International Day of Charity
Does your business regularly donate to, or carry out fundraising activities for, a specific charity? This is the perfect day to share your reasons for partnering with a particular organisation, and celebrate the contributions you’ve made so far.
10th - World Suicide Prevention Day
This is an important day for sharing mental health support resources such as hotlines and other contact details for anyone in your community who might be struggling or feeling low.
22nd - Car Free Day
Car Free Day is another event hosted by Living Streets which encourages people to become less car-dependent and travel by foot instead. You could post a Story showing your team members walking to work instead of driving, or promote public transport usage.
25th - International Week of Happiness at Work
This is a time to champion your team members and show your appreciation for their ongoing hard work. Remind them (and your social audience) of the achievements they’ve made, share a group photo or ask them to describe what makes them happy at work.
30th - World’s Biggest Coffee Morning
Macmillan encourages people to host their own coffee mornings on this day in order to raise money for cancer support. Is your business taking part?
October
All month - Black History Month
Here in the UK, Black History Month commemorates the achievements and contributions - and acknowledges the struggles - of Black Britons throughout history. On this day, your business can celebrate its team members of African or Caribbean descent, share key facts or provide information about events taking place in your area.
1st - World Vegetarian Day
World Vegetarian Day raises awareness of veggie diets and outlines the benefits of vegetarianism. Go meat-free and promote your brand or restaurant’s vegetarian products or dishes.
4th - World Animal Day
This day aims to improve animal welfare standards around the globe. Your business can get involved by making a pledge or sharing important animal facts on social media.
12th - Diwali
Also known as the Festival of Lights, this five-day festival is one of the most important Hindu celebrations.
30th - BST ends
The clocks go back by one hour on 30th October, marking the end of British Summer Time.
31st - Halloween
Post some autumn recipe ideas, ask your followers to share photos of their creatively carved pumpkins or make a list of your team’s favourite horror films for some spooky Halloween content.
November
1st - World Vegan Day
Just like Veganuary, World Vegan Day celebrates vegan food, drink and lifestyles, and is a great event for restaurants, cafés and other food and drink brands to add into their social content.
5th - Bonfire Night
Remember, remember, the fifth of November... Bonfire Night commemorates Guy Fawkes’ failed attempt to blow up the Houses of Parliament in 1605 as part of the Gunpowder Plot. You can mention firework displays in your local area or ask your followers if they’re attending any bonfire events.
17th - Children In Need
With the help of iconic mascot Pudsey Bear, BBC Children In Need’s annual telethon takes place in November. Is your business raising funds for this excellent charity?
24th - Black Friday
The biggest sale event of the year! Promote your biggest deals and discounts, and share the excitement with your customers.
27th - Cyber Monday
Originally intended as the online counterpart of Black Friday, which used to be for in-store shopping only, Cyber Monday is now simply seen as an extension of the Black Friday weekend, with deals and discounts continuing or new ones being announced.
30th - St Andrew’s Day
Scotland’s official national day celebrates the country’s patron saint, St Andrew. As with Burns Night, add this event to your calendar if your business has Scottish roots or locations in Scotland.
December
7th-15th - Hanukkah
Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a Jewish celebration which takes place across eight nights and days. Wish your Jewish team members and followers a Chag Sameach! (Happy Holiday)
24th - Christmas Eve
The big day is almost here... Share your excitement with your social media followers or ask them about their families’ Christmas Eve traditions.
25th - Christmas Day
Whether your business is open or closed on Christmas Day, wish your audience a Merry Christmas and spread the festive cheer to everyone in your online community!
26th - Boxing Day
Boxing Day is a popular shopping holiday with huge sales taking place at many stores - both online and offline - so if your brand is participating, don’t forget to shout about it on social, and let customers know that they should grab your best deals before they’re gone.
31st - New Year’s Eve
It’s time to wrap up 2023, reflect on the achievements your brand has made this year and get ready to party! As with Christmas Day, the type of messaging you share on New Year’s Eve will depend on whether your business is open or closed on this day and New Year’s Day.
Summary
From National Cheese Toastie Day to World Donkey Day, there are plenty more niche awareness days that may be relevant to your business - the list is endless! However, we hope you’ve found our selection beneficial and that you’ll add some of them into your 2023 content calendar to celebrate with your followers.
Which events are you planning to incorporate into your brand’s marketing plan? Don’t forget to save our infographic so you can refer to it throughout the year. Please note, some dates may be subject to change.
