From holiday celebrations to cultural observations, plan your TikTok marketing around these key events.
Whether you’re growing your business or establishing your brand, marketing is all about timing.
Holidays and seasonal moments create great opportunities to reach your target customers, but the key is knowing which moments to plan for and how to stand out. To help you create more effective annual marketing plans, we prepared this Marketing Calendar. Explore it to discover the right moments for bringing your brand into the conversations on TikTok.
Choose up to three major holidays that best align with your brand. For example, if you sell jewelry, you may want to focus on Mother’s Day. If you run a custom stationery business, then back-to-school season would be a good fit.
Download our guide for help with dates and timelines.
It’s best to get the ball rolling on a major holiday initiative two months ahead of the actual date. This gives you plenty of time to capture the attention of your audience and build momentum before you need them to take action.
Scroll on to discover your key moments
New year, new beginnings. The start of the year encourages wellness, recognizes achievement and offers a chance to reflect on history.
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As year-end festivities draw to a close, it’s a good time for brands to reach the sober-curious. From resolution-makers setting healthy goals to people already living a sober lifestyle, Dry January is a great way for beauty, home, food and beverage and entertainment brands to join the “New Year, New Me” trend. Get inspiration from Kiala Nutrition.
of TikTok users notice brands celebrating niche holidays
Embrace your inner film fan! January kicks off a string of ceremonies honoring the best of the best. From giving props for red carpet style to praising incredible performances, there are plenty of chances to engage with cinema-loving customers all month long.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science US, Holiday Shopping Behavior Custom Research 2020, conducted by Walnut Unlimited
Martin Luther King Jr. Day honors the birth of the influential American civil rights leader and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. Take time to speak to his legacy on the occasion, and show your support year-round by amplifying Black leaders and business owners on TikTok.
Throughout January: Get Organized Month
January 20: International Day of Acceptance
Celebrate the Black community, romance, and all the possibilities of the new year.
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The best time to #SupportBlack businesses is all year round, but February in particular is all about celebrating Black achievements and elevating Black voices, and that includes Black-owned businesses. Use this month to share the story and inspiration behind your Black-owned business or highlight the stories of those who have inspired you. It's also a great time to partner with Black creators and let their unique voices and creativity further illuminate your brand.
TikTok is 1.8x more likely to introduce users to new topics they didn't know they liked
Also known as Spring Festival or Chinese New Year, the #LunarNewYear is celebrated across Asia and in cities around the world. Since this holiday symbolizes the new year and a fresh start, look for opportunities to show how your brand can help customers make that leap. Promote your services with our Lead Generation tool, which lets customers share their contact information, respond to questions and schedule appointments with your business — all within the app.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science Global Entertaining Ads Study 2022 conducted by Marketcast
Love is in the air, and for small businesses in beauty, food & beverage, apparel and more, so are selling opportunities! Entice and delight your customers this Valentine’s Day with In-Feed Ads, and plan your marketing with Reach & Frequency Buying to extend your audience. Need inspiration? Check out e-commerce jewelry brand Regaluxa.
February 2: Groundhog Day
February 11: Football's biggest game
February 13: Mardi Gras
February 19: Presidents Day
Springtime sparks excitement for summer vacations and spring trips while offering the perfect opportunity to honor powerful women around the world.
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Summer Travel Planning
Vacation mood: On. Summer travel planning is a go, so it’s time for brands across verticals to connect with customers eagerly shopping for their next big getaway. Set up Audience Insights to learn about new audiences. Want to explore more? Discover how clothing brand Madewell used TikTok targeting strategies to reach new audiences.
Spring Break
Before summer vacations start, spring break is when students unwind. Help families and college-age travelers relax by engaging with members of your community who are ready for some time off.
of female users say they come across content on TikTok that they relate to
A focal point for women’s rights and gender equality, this day helps highlight and celebrate the achievements of women everywhere. On #InternationalWomensDay, use your TikTok platform to join in the conversation and highlight female stories.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science US, Holiday Shopping Behavior Custom Research 2020, conducted by Walnut Unlimited
March 10: Ramadan begins
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 31: Easter
The hunt for adventure begins! Get one with nature and groove to the tune of artistic expression, retail therapy and planetary health.
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of small businesses using TikTok said the app was easy to use, and 73% said it was fun to use
Calling all live-music lovers! April is when some of the biggest — and most hotly-anticipated — music festivals kick off in the US and Canada. TikTok In-Feed Ads are a great way to organically capture the excitement and adventure of festival season.
Source: Hello Alice 2022 Small Business Digital Marketing Trends
Tax Day
Unexpected money is the most fun to spend! With refunds hitting bank accounts, there’s excitement stirring over opportunities the extra funds offer. Put your products or services front and center by promoting them to customers ready to treat themselves after getting a bit back.
Resonate with customers passionate about our planet on the day of the world's largest environmental movement, with global events coordinated by over 1 billion people in 193 countries. No matter your industry, showcasing your eco-friendly business on TikTok pays off. Take a look at how Dorsal Bracelets brought their sustainable jewelry brand to more than 5 million users.
April 1: April Fools' Day
April 8: Ramadan ends
Honor, appreciation and creation! This month, show some love to the people who have enriched our lives and made an impact on our communities.
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of small business owners said that TikTok helps them tell stories in a creative way
Pay tribute to generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders whose history, culture and achievements have enriched our country. Use TikTok Audience Insights to help plan compelling creative and find out how users are celebrating all month long.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science Global Entertaining Ads Study 2022 conducted by Marketcast, featured in TikTok What’s Next 2023 Trend Report
The first week of May honors entrepreneurs across the US who bring new ideas to life and play a vital role in growing our economy. Tell people your brand story with a campaign showing what makes your small business unique.
There’s nobody like Mom! Celebrated on various dates across the world, this special day honors mothers, motherhood and maternal figures. Lift sales for this heartfelt holiday by finding new audiences eager to show their love and appreciation. See how The Bouqs Co. used Spark Ads and the TikTok Pixel to increase visibility and conversions.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
May 7: National Teachers’ Day
May 27: Memorial Day
Loud and Proud! Summer celebrations for making strides as a society are in full swing — engage, empower, educate.
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Pride Month
Here’s a great opportunity for your brand to show its support for the LGBTQIA+ community. Whether you create a special rainbow-colored product, donate money to a targeted charity or publicly voice your support for the rights of the queer community, Pride campaigns are a chance to express your values to your customers. Check out #Pride on the Creative Center for content ideas and tips.
Don't forget about Dad! While it may lag behind Mother's Day as a shopping occasion, expected per-person spending on Father's Day has been on a steady uptick for several years according to the National Retail Federation. For inspiration this Father’s Day, download our Playbook and check out how barware company Crew Supply Co. boosted sales in just one month.
TikTok is 1.8x more likely to introduce people to new topics compared to traditional social platforms
Also called Emancipation Day, Juneteenth became a federal holiday in the US in 2021. It commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans with prayer, speeches, educational events, family picnics and more. Show your support by educating your community and amplifying Black voices.
Source: Hello Alice 2022 Small Business Digital Marketing Trends
June 14: Flag Day
June 20: Summer solstice
Patriotic and Shopaholic! You can be both as the season has entered a full fun zone - it’s giving celebration and sales.
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Among TikTok users who took an action off-platform as a result of TikTok, 90% said the platform makes them happy — and never gets boring
Summer is in full swing, which means big savings and deep discounts for shoppers. It’s an ideal time for brand verticals like automotive, professional services, travel, and more to reach new customers. Learn how B2B service Goodcall drove quality user sign-ups at low costs.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science US TikTok Made Me "Blank" It Research 2022, conducted by MarketCast. NA-only stat. Featured in TikTok What’s Next 2023 Trend Report
It’s giving red, white, and blue — for TikTok users in the US, July 4th is a celebration of all things patriotic that embody the American spirit. Let sparks fly when you try out Spark Ads, turning some of your highest-performing posts into ads that maximize impact.
July 17: World Emoji Day
July 30: International Day of Friendship
As summer comes to an end, capture the hearts and minds of those who are heading back to school.
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of people who took an off-platform action as a result of a TikTok say they obtained reviews from Creators they trust on TikTok more than any other platform
The back-to-school season is a perfect time to engage with students, teachers, and parents, too. Businesses of all kinds — from apparel and accessories, automotive, government, social media, financial services, and food and beverage can benefit from the end-of-summer rush. Get inspiration from Photomath, a math learning platform, that leveraged TikTok Creator Marketplace to authentically reach and engage with their target demographic.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science US TikTok Made Me "Blank" It Research 2022, conducted by MarketCast, US-only stats. Featured in TikTok What’s Next 2023 Trend Repor
August 9: Book Lovers Day
August 26: National Dog Day
Eat, drink and celebrate the histories and the contributions of those who came before us. Spread the love, spread the knowledge.
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of users feel TikTok connects them with people from different backgrounds and cultures around the world
Founded in honor of the American labor movement, this Monday holiday weekend is enjoyed with BBQs, parades, retail sales — and a goodbye to summer days. Plus, it’s the ideal time to get the jump on holiday with Lead Generation ads that can help you collect information from interested customers.
Source: Source: TikTok Marketing Science Global Diversity on TikTok Study 2022, conducted by Flamingo Group
Close out the month with cooler temps and welcome autumn with football kickoffs — a can’t-miss time for professional and college football megafans. Big sporting moments are an ideal time for automotive, gaming, home, and entertainment brands. Excite and entice your community - check out SEEQ Supply’s success story.
In the US, September is dedicated to the culture and achievements of Americans whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central, and South America. Grow your community on TikTok by shining a light on your products or services that celebrate Hispanic and Latinx culture. This #hispanicheritagemonth, show your support year-round by building relationships with Hispanic and Latin business owners and sharing your business story.
September 8: Grandparents’ Day
Pumpkin spice who? Sweater weather has officially begun, and cozy vibes are here to stay.
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TikTok users have +30% stronger emotional responses to ads on TikTok vs. ads on other platforms
October 10 is the global day advocating for education and awareness of #mentalhealth. Join TikTok users in sharing content from mental health experts and helping to break down stereotypes and stigmas around mental health advocacy.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science US Brand Building study 2022, conducted by DIRT
Halloween
Werewolves howl, and ghosts are on the prowl! #Halloween is a great time for small businesses across many verticals to connect with customers and show off their playful side — get your brand noticed with Audience Targeting. Need more inspo? Check out how West Coast Fitness captured the attention of relevant users.
October 11: International Day of the Girl
October 24: United Nations Day
Be thankful, and show gratitude for the ones you love. Autumn is in full swing, and the anticipation of holiday joy is everywhere!
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Over half of TikTok users (57%) rate Spark Ads as attention-grabbing
The Friday after Thanksgiving marks the official start to the holiday shopping rush, and kicks off a busy week of shopping both in-store and online. This tentpole shopping day is crucial for businesses in apparel, beauty, home, electronics, and more. It’s also an ideal week to maximize your results and scale with Audience Insights. Read more on how NEST New York drove website traffic during peak shopping season.
Source: Source: TikTok Marketing Science Global Diversity on TikTok Study 2022, conducted by Flamingo Group
In the midst of the holiday rush, this is your time to shine. Rally support from your community and inspire TikTok users to #shopsmall to help growing brands like yours continue to thrive. Learn how The Woobles, the crotchet starter kit company, capitalized on the busy shopping season with tools like Value-Based Optimization.
Throughout November: Native American Heritage Month
November 11: Veterans Day
November 28: Thanksgiving Day
As the year comes to a close, the days are filled with joy, giving back, and the flurry of last-minute shopping.
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Cyber Monday
Tech shoppers rejoice! Cyber Monday lands on the week after Black Friday, with even more deals, discounts, and promotions, primarily in the technology and electronics vertical. Engage eager shoppers browsing for the hottest deals with Spark Ads, which help maximize your impact on top-performing posts. Looking for more inspiration? Learn how first aid company MyMedic found success promoting their #BlackFriday and #CyberMonday sales.
63% of TikTok users use TikTok to plan or celebrate the holidays
The season that’s merry and bright means shopping and gift-giving are in high gear. Connect with and convert new customers during this magical — and sometimes hectic — period with thoughtful brand storytelling. Lean into tools like Shop Ads to drive seamless in-app purchases, and read about MySmile’s success using Video Shopping Ads for more inspiration.
Source: TikTok Marketing Science US, Holiday Shopping Behavior Custom Research 2020, conducted by Walnut Unlimited
New Year’s Eve
Wave goodbye to the year in style — and join TikTok users all over the world in celebrating new beginnings. Engage and delight customers with year-end deals, exclusive discounts, and can’t-miss savings on all they’ll need for the upcoming year.
On TikTok, user engagement and purchase intent remain high, even in the weeks following the holidays (known as Q5). From late December through mid January, lean into the post-holiday season to both extend the impact of your holiday campaigns and get a head start on goals for 2024. With historically lower CPM rates during the Q5 time frame, it’s a great time to make the most of your marketing dollars.
December 2: Giving Tuesday
December 21: Winter Solstice