The 2025 Marketing Calendar for Restaurants: the Top Tool for Hospitality Groups

Are you a restaurant owner? Impossible to miss the social networks to guarantee the success of your establishment. You still have to have time and find of good post ideas... Good news: Malou offers you its new 2025 digital marketing calendar 📅

holidays tend to involve full‑venue experiences, staffing changes and special menus, whereas “national food days” lend themselves to limited‑time dishes or social media content tied to a specific item.‍

👉 Here are all the dates to anticipate for 2025 and help your content stand out.

Why use a Marketing Calendar for your Restaurant Strategy?

Because in food, timing is everything.

‍Every year, season after season, freshly picked ingredients and new recipes take center stage, every holiday or local traditions bring people together. What they all have in common: food. Whether it's Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas the Super Bowl or Valentine’s Day, restaurants and hospitality business have a year full of high impact moments.

Every date on a Marketing Calendar set the pace for your restaurant’s strategy. From major holidays to fun themed days, each one is an opportunity to get creative, stand out online and bring customers in.

Using a Food Calendar or an online tool is the best way to:

• Stay ahead of the curve for top marketing efficiency. Matching content ideas with key events allows you to make noise all year-long. Instead of scrambling for inspiration, your marketing team will know exactly which holidays or foodie observances are coming up.

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• Optimize SEO for all your restaurants. Updating online info can be a struggle for businesses and failing to do it is penalized by Google. With a Calendar, you can build a routine and know exactly when to change your openings, menu, reservations, etc.

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• Adapt to seasonal relevance. People’s dining habits change every season. A Calendar helps you plan menus and special offers (think bottomless brunches, summer limited edition drinks) and avoid off-peak hours.

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• Create experiences, which Americans are craving in 2025. Exclusive collaborations with other brands, cooking classes, themed parties will increase customers AND boost online visibility.

Top tip: personalize your Marketing Calendar. Make sure to mark your own milestones (ex: your brand's date of birth). Identify dates that directly relate to your concept. World Vegan Day, Italy Day, Cookie Day... These “national days” are the perfect opportunity to put you in the spotlight, become a "love brand" and build loyalty. 

Think :

• International News. Some brands are famous for their creativity during Elections.

Élection présidentielle : Krispy Kreme célèbre la “doughmocracy” – Pour l’élection 2024, la chaîne de donuts a joué sur le mot “dough” (pâte) et “democracy” en offrant un donut original glacé gratuit à toute personne portant un autocollant “IVoted”people.com. Certaines boutiques distribuaient même leur propre sticker « IVoted ».

• Food holidays.

‍National Pancake day is famously celebrated by IHOP.

• Awareness days or Social impact days. If your brand is vegan, sustainable, pro-women rights, this is the day‍
• Themed days. National Siblings Day, National Dog Day...Don’t underestimate the power of quirky national days for social media.

The 2025 Marketing Calendar: Food Dates,Themed Days and Holidays Restaurants Need to Be Ready For

January 2025

Highlights: new year, new resolutions. And lot's of partying. The whole month can be dedicated to:

• 1-31 -"Veganuary": no food with a face
• 1-31 - "Ginuary"
• 1-31 - "Dry January": think bottomless brunch

You can invent your own month "brand name + -uary"

📅 New Year’s celebrations & Winter Highlights

Jan 1 - New Year’s Day. Many diners like to go out for brunch on the first day of the year. Offer a recovery brunch or “bottomless mimosa” special.

It's also National Bloody Mary Day.

‍Jan 20 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day: A federal holiday honoring the civil‑rights leader. Consider making a donation to a local nonprofit or hosting a community brunch.

Jan 29 - Chinese New Year. The lunar new year begins on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, the Year of the Snake. Consider a special menu: a Chinese take on your star dish, a Chinese fusion trendy menu, or simply wish guests a Happy Lunar New Year on social media.

🍴Food & Hospitality Observances

Jan 4 – National Spaghetti Day - Very Insta-worthy for Italian restaurants. Show off your pasta, techniques, and sauces.

Jan 5 – National Whipped Cream Day

Jan 6 – National Bean Day / National Shortbread Day

Jan 7 – National Tempura Day. Time to fry. Add shrimp or veggie tempura to your menu.

Jan 9 – National Apricot Day

Jan 10 – National Bittersweet Chocolate Day

Jan 11 – National Milk Day. Great for coffee shops. Try a vegan milk appreciation post.

Jan 13 – National Gluten‑Free Day Highlight your gluten‑free options and make the yummy.

Jan 14 – National Hot Pastrami Sandwich

Jan 15 – National Bagel Day

Jan 16 – World Spicy Food Day. On social media, “heat challenge” tasting menus or salsas are trending.

Jan 17 – International Italian Cuisine Day. This is THE day for Italian restaurants.

Jan 18 – National Gourmet Coffee Day.

Jan 19 – International Popcorn Day: Showcase house‑made popcorn flavors.

Jan 20 – National Cheese Lover’s Day. Offer curated cheese boards and pairing flights.

Jan 22 – National Blondie Brownie Day.

Jan 23 – Community Manager Appreciation Day & National Pie Day. Offer a slice of house‑made pie and give your community manager a social shout‑out.

Jan 24 - National Peanut Butter Day. An American treasure. Great for bakeries or PB‑inspired dessert.

Jan 25 – National Irish Coffee Day

Jan 26 – National Green Juice Day. January being usually "detox-oriented", take advantage of it.

Jan 27 – National Chocolate Cake Day. Share your pastry chef’s mouth‑watering top chocolate dessert on a Instagram Reel.

Jan 29 – National Corn Chip Day. Perfect for a chips‑and‑dips happy hour.

Jan 30 - National Croissant Day. Oui oui monsieur. Turn your star sandwich in a croissant or get creative with puff pastry.

February 2025

Valentine's Day, Candlemas, National Snack Food Month, Potato Lovers Month, Canned Food Month, and Chocolate Lovers Month... February rimes with fun opportunities.

📅 Valentine’s Season & February Highlights

Feb 2 – Groundhog Day / Candlemas: Everybody loves this quirky mid-winter tradition. Use it as a chance to promote cozy dishes, host a fun "shadow or no shadow?" poll on socials for the arrival of spring or anything groundhog related.

Feb 2 – Grammy Awards: The perfect excuse for a music-themed menu or a red-carpet watch party.

Feb 9 – Super Bowl LIX: For the biggest sports event, "game days", make sure to update your Google Business Profile attributes. "Casual", "Good for Groups", "Serves alcohol, Happy Hour drink and food", "Has TV", "Outdoor Seating". Publish themed Google Posts with SEO keywords : Watch the Super Bowl here”, “Live Champions League game tonight”

Feb 14 – Valentine’s Day: Great timing for prix-fixe menus, premium specials or heart-shaped desserts. A lot of brands go rogue to make more buzz online: celebrate Galentine’s Day (friends only), organize a lonely hearts mixer or launch an anti-Valentine’s campaign (free drink for singles only).

Example: A few years ago, the restaurant at MOB HOTEL Organized the event “Without Valentine”, especially for singles with original content designed for social networks.

Feb 17 – Presidents’ Day: For this federal holiday, highlight extended brunch hours or patriotic-themed specials to attract long weekend diners. You can also go rogue if create content on the current president.

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🍴Food & Hospitality Observances

Feb 1 - Ice Cream for Breakfast Day (first Saturday) - The perfect quirky themed day if ice-cream is part of your brand. Why not a social media post "Eat ice-cream in your pj's ?"

Feb 2 – Heavenly Hash Day

Feb 3 - Carrot Cake Day - One of the best American dessert. Why not joke about the "only veggie that tastes divine in a cake" ?

Feb 4 - Homemade Soup Day, Stuffed Mushroom Day - If colds are going around, as they do in February, use it for a "homemade chicken soup" special.

Feb 5 - Chocolate Fondue Day, World Nutella Day

Feb 6 - Chopsticks Day - Try an Instagram poll or film your staff. Who can and can't use chopsticks?

Feb 7 - Fettuccine Alfredo Day

Feb 8 - Potato Lovers Day

Feb 11 - Peppermint Patty Day

Feb 12 - Plum Pudding Day

Feb 13 - Tortellini Day, Italian Food Day - Italian restaurants, this is your day.

Feb 14 - Cream-Filled Chocolates Day

Feb 18 - Drink Wine Day - A very joyous themed day, perfect for special offers on wine and wine tasting. Jokes on day drinking welcome.

Feb 19 - Chocolate Mint Day

Feb 20 - Cherry Pie Day, Muffin Day

Feb 21 - Sticky Bun Day, Pancake Day

Feb 22 - Margarita Day - Think Girls night theme event.

Feb 23 - Banana Bread Day - Coffee shops should collaborate for the "ultimate Banana Bread" Battle. Or create a poll on client's top tricks in recipes.

Feb 24 - Tortilla Chip Day, Cupcake Day (Canada)

Feb 25 - National Pancake Day

Feb 26 - Personal Chefs Day - This is THE day where restaurants honor their Chefs. Show the art and passion behind each meal.

Feb 27 - Chili Day (last Thursday), Strawberry Day

Feb 28: First Day of Ramadan - Make sure to wish "Ramadan Mubarak" to your clients.

March 2025

Days are getting longer. Don't forget these dates: International Women’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, First Day of Spring as well as Women’s History Month.

‍Ex: 30 days, 30 dishes created by woman (an Instagram series).

📅 Spring Kick off & Themed dates

Mar 2 – Academy Awards (Oscars): The 97th Oscars aired live from LA. Another great day for Celebrity Trivia or red carpet themed parties.

Mar 8 – International Women’s Day: Celebrate women in your team and in your community. Spotlight Stories or Reels, themed menu... Why not an exclusive collaborative dish created by two woman Chef. Why not sharing recipes of your mothers and grandmothers. You can also offer gifts to customers, donate part of your profits to associations, etc.

Famous example from a restaurant group: McDonalds flipped their M to form a W for “Women” back in 2020.

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Mar 9 – Daylight Saving Time Begins: Spring forward one hour. Don’t forget to update your hours on Google Business Profile for SEO!

Mar 16 – Selection Sunday: The March Madness bracket reveal kicks off basketball season. Offer bracket challenges, beer flights, and snack platters.

Mar 17 – St. Patrick’s Day: Classic Irish specials like corned beef and cabbage, green drinks, and Guinness promotions always do well. For a lighter touch: premium whisky tasting, special sauce with deglaced whisky.

Mar 20 – First Day of Spring: Time to bring back seasonal dishes, highlight outdoor seating, and go big on fresh flavors. Show seasonal ingredients on social media, communicate on your local producers and farmer's market.

Mar 31 – Cesar Chavez Day (CA): In California and a few other states, March 31 is a big night for restaurants and bars.

🍴 Food & Hospitality Observances

Mar 1 - Fruit Compote Day, Peanut Butter Lover’s Day

Mar 2 - Banana Cream Pie Day

Mar 3 - Cold Cuts Day

Mar 4 - Pound Cake Day

Mar 5 - Cheese Doodle Day

Mar 6 - Frozen Food Day, Oreo Day, White Chocolate Cheesecake Day

Mar 7 - Cereal Day - Try a poll "top childhood cereals" or dare a cereal inspired dessert.

Mar 8 - Peanut Cluster Day

Mar 9 - Crabmeat Day, Meatball Day

Mar 10 - Pack Your Lunch Day - The perfect day for promotions or special to-go lunches.

Mar 12 - Registered Dietitian Day (2nd Wed)

Mar 13 - Popcorn Lovers Day (2nd Thurs) - Goes well with a movie themed night

Mar 14 - Bake a Pie Day, Potato Chip Day

Mar 15 - Peanut Lovers Day, Pears Hélène Day, Maple Syrup Saturday (3rd Sat), Food Supply Celebration Day

Mar 16 - Artichoke Hearts Day

Mar 17 -  St. Paddy’s Day & Irish Food Day

Mar 18 - Oatmeal Cookie Day

Mar 20 - Great American MEAT-OUT, Ravioli Day

Mar 21 - Strawberry Day (CA), French Bread Day

Mar 22 - World Water Day

Mar 23 - Chip & Dip Day, Melba Toast Day

Mar 24 - Cheesesteak Day - Honor Philadelphia's classic

Mar 25 - International Waffle Day - Launch a bottomless waffle brunch

Mar 26 - Nougat Day, Spinach Day, Whole Grain Sampling Day (last Wed)

Mar 27 - Spanish Paella Day

Mar 28 - Something on a Stick Day

Mar 29 - Lemon Chiffon Cake Day

Mar 30 - Turkey Neck Soup Day

Mar 31 - Clams on the Half Shell Day, Oranges and Lemons Day, Tater Day

April 2025

Highlights: Spring is (finally) in full swing. April is packed with creative opportunities. World Health Day and Earth Day are usually big on Instagram. Think pranks first (April 1st) then the whole month can be dedicated to your brand depending on your cuisine :

• National Garlic Month - If you are a French Restaurant, time to shine
• National Grilled Cheese - Another American treasure to cherish
• National Soft Pretzel Month - Perfect to grow revenue with a "on-the-go" offer
• National Soy Foods Month - Vegan and Asian restaurants, make sure you show your top tofu dishes. "Tofu deliciousness challenge" could be fun.

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

Apr 1 – April Fool’s Day - Clients love a good creative prank, especially online. Fake menu items, joke collabs, “surprise” ingredient switches, get playful and keep it friendly. Don’t be afraid to stir the pot.

Example : Cinco’s Cantina's prank. The New Hampshire-based Mexican Restaurant created quite a buzz on Intagram after (fake) announcing they would stop making fajitas and birrias tacos.

Apr 4 – National Burrito Day (First Thursday of April) - This day performs well on socials. Go wild: dessert burritos, sushi burritos, or limited-time collabs with local taquerias.

Example : on April 4 2025, Chipotle launched « Burrito Vault », an online game to guess burrito combinations and win a year of free burritos.

Apr 7 – World Health Day - Quite an important day for many brands. Share social media posts about your ingredients, their local sourcing or nutritious value.

Apr 9 – Eid al-Fitr (date may vary) A meaningful moment for many. Acknowledge by offering celebratory dishes or simply share a thoughtful message of joy and community.

Apr 20 – Easter Sunday - Expect strong reservations. Prix-fixe brunch menus, floral decor, family-oriented offerings, and kids' egg hunts work well. Update Google hours and create bookable links in your bio and Google Profile.

Apr 22 – Earth Day - Time to go green. Showcase composting, waste-reduction efforts, reusable packaging, and partnerships with eco-friendly suppliers. If you’re farm-to-table, this is your day to shine.

Example : in 2024, Peet's Coffee launched a "BringYourOwnCup" initiative with a 25% reduction everytime a client would order a vegan plant-based meal.

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Apr 30 – International Jazz Day
Great for cocktail bars, wine bars, and any restaurant with a vibe. Curate a playlist, host a local band, or run a “Duke Ellington Martini” night.

🍴 Food & Hospitality Observances

Apr 1 – Sourdough Bread Day - French bakeries, share an IG Reel of your chef scoring the perfect crust (with sound on).

Apr 2 – Peanut Butter & Jelly Day - Why not a high-low special: foie gras + berry jam on brioche.

Apr 3 – Chocolate Mousse Day

Apr 5 – Caramel Day

Apr 6 – Carbonara Day - Italian concepts: this is your moment. "The real Carbonara" being a hot topic among foodie, you can stir the pot.

Apr 10 – Cinnamon Crescent Day - Ideal for bakeries, coffee shops, or anyone who does viennoiserie. Run a limited batch with icing drizzle or nut topping and share it on socials.

Apr 13 – Peach Cobbler Day

Apr 16 – Eggs Benedict Day -For this brunch classic, showcase your best variations.

Apr 18 – Animal Crackers Day

Apr 21 – Tea Day - Great for so many hospitality groups. Create detailed posts on tea and run an online giveaway for a free tea tasting.

Apr 23 – Picnic Day - If your brand offers takeaway kits, this is a great marketing hook. Promote curated baskets for parks, rooftops, or beaches.

Apr 25 – Zucchini Bread Day

Apr 27 – Prime Rib Day

Apr 30 – Oatmeal Cookie Day

May 2025

May kicks off patio season, brunch overload and major traffic from Mother’s Day to Memorial Day. It's also the month of many celebrations:

• National BBQ Month
• National Beef Month
• National Egg Month
• National Hamburger Month
• National Salad Month
• National Salsa Month
• National Strawberry Month - short and seasonal

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

May 1 – May Day & Labor Day (International Workers’ Day) - Dedicate a post to your staff

May 4 – Star Wars Day

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo - Busy day for Mexican, Tex-Mex, and tequila-forward concepts. Offer special menus, tasting flights (mezcal, micheladas, tacos), mariachi bands, or highlight regional Mexican dishes beyond tacos.

May 12 – Mother’s Day - The biggest brunch day of the year. Prix-fixe menus, floral drinks, tableside gifting (like a macaron box for each mother), or family-style feasts work well. Offer early-bird reservation perks. Don’t forget a photo booth moment or printed cards.

May 20 – World Bee Day - Highlight your honey-based dishes or cocktails. Show off any partnerships with urban beekeepers.

May 27 – Memorial Day - The official start of summer for many diners. Think cookouts, BBQ specials, outdoor games, or frozen drinks. It’s also a great time to extend happy hour, launch a new patio menu, or preview summer items. Remember to update Google Business Profil. Create Google Posts showing your patio, outdoor seatings, etc.

🍴 Food & Hospitality Observances

May 1 – Chocolate Parfait Day

May 2 – Truffle Day - Perfect for French, Italian, or upscale American restaurants. Shave a little extra and make it worth the upcharge.

May 3 – Raspberry Popover Day

May 6 – International No Diet Day - A great excuse to push indulgent dishes, monster desserts, or “treat yourself” specials. Many creative ideas for social.

May 8 – Coconut Cream Pie Day

May 9 – Butterscotch Brownie Day

May 10 – Shrimp Day

May 11 – Eat What You Want Day - Perfect social content day. Encourage customers to tag their “forbidden” order. Showcase your most over-the-top items unapologetically. Launch polls and dare clients to free food tasting.

May 13 – Hummus Day - Why not a hummus-themed dips and drinks Happy Hour

May 14 – Buttermilk Biscuit Day

May 15 – International Day of Families - Emphasize your family-friendly setting, group dining offers, or kid-friendly menus.

May 17 – Pizza Party Day (3rd Friday in May) - Offer a pizza party kit, turn your dining room into a party vibe, or go wild with toppings. Great for engagement and delivery traffic.

May 18 – I Love Reese’s Day

May 20 – Pick Strawberries Day

May 24 – Escargot Day - French restaurants: it’s your moment. Otherwise, lots of potential jokes for other restaurants.

May 25 – Wine Day - Perfect for wine bars, Italian trattorias, French bistros, or even pizza restaurants with a good wine list. Create flights or highlight your sommeliers.

May 28 – Brisket Day

May 31 – Macaron Day

June 2025

June is the start of the very busy summer season, patio weather, grilling season and summer kickoffs. Use school graduations and Father's Day to push for outdoor dining and drink specials. Don't forget Pride Month! As well as:

• Pride Month
• National Candy Month
• National Iced Tea Month
• National Soul Food Month

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

June 1–30 – Pride Month. Show real support, not rainbow-washing. Partner with LGBTQ+ chefs, teams, or local causes. Create a Pride menu, host a drag brunch, or spotlight queer-owned suppliers. Make sure your brand walks the talk.

June 2 – National Leave the Office Early Day - A quirky opportunity for great social media content leading to happy hour traffic. Offer a cheeky “out of office” cocktail, "Cheers to my Boss", or a “3pm is the new 5pm” promo.‍

June 8 – World Oceans Day - If you serve sustainable seafood, now’s the time to talk about it. Share your sourcing practices or highlight an ocean-themed special menu. Tie it into any eco-initiatives (like banning plastic straws or composting shells).

June 14 – Flag Day (U.S.)

June 15 – Father’s Day - Not as brunch-heavy as Mother’s Day, but a big one for steakhouses, BBQ joints, burger concepts, and whiskey bars. Try prix-fixe menus, beer pairings, or “dad jokes and wings” activations. Think dad jokes contests on socials (winner - most likes - gets 10% off).

June 20 – First Day of Summer (Summer Solstice)

June 21 – Make Music Day (World Music Day)

🍴 Food & Hospitality Observances

June 1 – Olive Day - Share your top Martini recipe

June 2 – National Rotisserie Chicken Day - Works great for delivery and pickup .

June 3 – Egg Day - An opportunity for brunch and breakfast spots to create great content.

June 4 – Cheese Day - Cheeseboards, raclette, mozzarella bar, wine pairings... All brands can also use this day to create "cheesy posts" on Insta.

June 5 – Ketchup Day

June 6 – Applesauce Cake Day

June 7 – Chocolate Ice Cream Day

June 9 – Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Day

June 11 – German Chocolate Cake Day

June 13 – Cupcake Lover’s Day - Post a flight of mini cupcakes, launch a seasonal flavor, or offer a giveaway on social.

June 17 – National Eat Your Vegetables Day - Perfect for plant-forward restaurants, or as an opportunity to make veggies craveable. You can be ironic and show off your carott cake.

June 18 – Sushi Day

June 20 – Vanilla Milkshake Day

June 22 – Onion Rings Day

June 25 – Strawberry Parfait Day

June 27 – Pineapple Day - Pizza places: launch polls about "pineapple as toppings" on Instagram.

July 2025

Peak summer and festivities. A lot of cocktail-themed days (mojito, margarita, daiquiri). Make sure all platforms are updated with your summer information. July is also:

• National Culinary Art Month
• National Hot Dog Month
• National Ice Cream Month
• National Grilling Month
• National Watermelon Month - Great fruit on social media

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

July 4 - Independence Day - Think red and white, offer grill-inspired specials, picnic baskets, patriotic cocktails, and firework-friendly menus. Promote family meals for pickup or throw a July 4th rooftop party. Don’t forget to update your Google hours—many diners will search last-minute.

July 7 – World Chocolate Day From dark chocolate mousse to brownie sundaes, this day was made for decadent dessert posts.

July 20 – National Ice Cream Day (3rd Sunday of July) - Sundae bars, freakshakes, sorbet pairings, or ice cream sandwich collabs. This one is very postable. Think colorful visuals, limited flavors, or even behind-the-scenes scooping videos.

July 24 – National Tequila Day - Run tequila flights, frozen margarita specials or spiked granitas. A great opportunity for social buzz with drink recipes, bartender spotlights, or cocktail reels.

July 30 – International Friendship Day - Not a major dining day, but perfect for marketing & specials: a 2-for-1 dessert, “bring a friend” lunch deal, Instagram giveaway. "Tag your best friend and get a free dessert."

🍴 Food & Hospitality Observances

July 1 – Creative Ice Cream Flavor Day - Push boundaries with your gelato or soft-serve game. Ask your followers to come up with the quirkiest ice-cream flavor, make them vote and launch it as an all-summer special.

July 3 – Fried Clam Day

July 6 – Fried Chicken Day - Gen Z loves fried chicken, from Korean to Soul Food. This day drives strong engagement. Limited spice-level challenges also work well. Or "rate the crunchiness" with an influencer. 

July 9 – Sugar Cookie Day

July 11 – Mojito Day

July 13 – French Fry Day - One of the biggest food days of the year. Offer custom fry flights, dipping sauces, truffle upgrades, or viral formats like tornado fries.

July 14 – Mac & Cheese Day

July 15 – Gummy Worm Day

July 17 – World Emoji Day - On social: challenge guests to describe their favorite dish using only emojis. Internally: create an emoji-only menu for fun.

July 19 – Daiquiri Day

July 21 – Junk Food Day - Push your most indulgent, over-the-top creations. Or do the opposite: push your healthiest dishes but make them look loaded.

July 23 – Vanilla Ice Cream Day

July 25 – Wine and Cheese Day

July 28 – Milk Chocolate Day

July 29 – Chicken Wing Day

July 31 – Avocado Day - Get creative with avocado toast towers, guac flights, or sweet avo treats.

August 2025

Last month of summer. Delight your clients and followers with sales on cold drinks, ice cream, snacks... Anything to help beat the heat and enjoy endless summer nights. August is also:

• National Sandwich Month - 30 days, 30 shades of Sandwich
• National Panini Month
• National Peach Month

August 1–31 – National Sandwich Month - Feature a different signature sandwich each week, create a limited-time collab with a local bakery or deli, or launch a “design your own sandwich” promo for customers. Create a "non sandwich sandwich" or turn a star dish into a sandwich. Make it to-go to push sales.

August 1–31 – Back-to-School Month - Offer family meal bundles, student specials, or coffee deals for parents. Great time to relaunch loyalty programs or takeout campaigns.

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

August 5 – National Work Like a Dog Day - Post a behind-the-scenes story or run a cheeky “hard-working happy hour.”

August 15 – National Relaxation Day - Think chill playlists, low-ABV cocktails, CBD dishes or “treat yourself” desserts. Great for brunch spots and cafés.

August 16 – National Rum Day

August 19 – National Soft Ice Cream Day - Create limited-time swirls, post a Reel of your most photogenic cone, or launch a BOGO deal. This day drives strong foot traffic for dessert shops and fast-casual spots.

August 26 – National Dog Day - Huge opportunity for pet-friendly restaurants, breweries, or patios. Offer “puppuccinos”, dog treat menus, or photo contests. Invite guests to tag their pups for a chance to win a brunch.

🍴 Food & Hospitality Observances

August 1 – National Raspberry Cream Pie Day

August 3 – National Watermelon Day - Super visual and seasonal. Highlight cocktails, salads, desserts, or even grilled watermelon dishes.

August 4 – National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day

August 6 – National Root Beer Float Day

August 8 – National Frozen Custard Day

August 9 – National Rice Pudding Day
Not widely celebrated, but can be a fun way to modernize a nostalgic dessert. Try cardamom, coconut, or seasonal fruit spins.

August 10 – National S’mores Day

August 11 – National Panini Day - Run a sandwich special with panini-only offerings, or create a custom press-and-go menu for lunch rush.

August 12 – National Julienne Fries Day
Go fancy with thin fries or mix up your fry offerings. Pair with craft sauces and dips for added engagement.

August 13 – National Filet Mignon Day

August 18 – National Fajita Day - Crackling skillets, tableside service, or fajita bars. This day is highly postable and thus great for reels or TikTok content.

August 20 – National Bacon Lovers Day - Indulge the bacon crowd: maple bacon donuts, bacon jam burgers... Or go full vegan bacon to stir the pot.

August 24 – National Waffle Day - Great for brunch content: sweet waffles, savory sandwiches, chicken and waffles. Offer themed toppings or waffle flights.

August 28 – National Red Wine Day - Social media tip: red wine and cheese pairings perform well on Reels.

August 31 – National Eat Outside Day - Celebrate your patio, terrace, or rooftop. Host a sunset dinner, live music or picnic-themed service.

September 2025

As summer winds down and work starts again; your customers will likely be taking advantage of the long weekend that comes with Labor Day. Then, as we transition into early fall, focus on promoting cozy treats and drinks (like hot coffee and mulled cider). September is also:

• Better Breakfast Month
• National Biscuit Month
• National Chicken Month
• National Honey Month

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

Sept 1 – Labor Day (Federal Holiday) - End of summer celebration. Perfect for BBQ bundles, picnic menus, or all-day brunch. Many families dine out, so extended hours and special menus work well.

Sept 2–8 – National Waffle Week (1st full week of Sept)

Sept 4 – National Wildlife Day - If you're sustainability-focused or use ethical sourcing, highlight farm partnerships, plant-based dishes, or zero-waste practices.

Sept 5 – National Cheese Pizza Day

Sept 6 – National Coffee Ice Cream Day

Sept 7 – National Beer Lover’s Day - Perfect for breweries, gastropubs, and beer gardens. Host a tasting event or flight promo. 2025 is big on low-alcoholic and non alcoholic beverages. Try a blind test with soft beers.

Sept 8 – National Ampersand Day

Sept 13 – National Peanut Day - Great for Southeast Asian or Southern-inspired restaurants.

Sept 16 – National Guacamole Day - Guac flights, extra guac promos, or add-on upgrades work well. Encourage “dip cam” or tableside guac on socials.

Sept 17 – National Apple Dumpling Day - The opportunity to transition into "fall" content. Lead with warm apple dishes or cinnamon specials.

Sept 18 – National Cheeseburger Day -A high-performing day for casual and fast-casual spots. Run a $5 burger promo or showcase a secret menu item or secret sauce.

Sept 20 – National Queso Day - Highlight your signature queso, nacho platters, or run a “drip cam” contest.

Sept 20 – World Cleanup Day - A global effort launched by the UN to encourage community cleanups. Restaurants can spotlight sustainability efforts, compost programs, or host local cleanup teams

Sept 20 to Oct 5 – Bavarian Oktoberfest. Great for beer gardens and German-themed menus or snacks (pretzels, etc.)

Sept 21 – International Day of Peace

Sept 22 – First Day of Fall (Autumn Equinox) - Social media love fall. Time to roll out pumpkin spice, squash, cider, cinnamon, maple...

Sept 23 – National Snack Stick Day - A good hook for cured meats, charcuterie boards, or “snack hour” bar pairings.

Sept 24 – National Cherries Jubilee Day

Sept 26 – National Pancake Day

Sept 27 – National Chocolate Milk Day

Sept 28 – National Drink Beer Day

Sept 29 – International Day of Awareness of Food Loss & Waste - Established by the UN, this day promotes food sustainability and waste reduction. Communicate on all initiatives like compost, waste-tracking, or donating surplus food. Explain how you reduce waste creatively (fermentation, pickled food, jars, etc.)

Sept 29 – National Coffee Day - One of the most engaging food holidays. Offer free coffee, loyalty boosts, latte art contests, or partner with a local roaster.

Sept 30 – International Podcast Day - If you are a group, chain or franchise, it's time to speak out. Engage your audience with audio: promote your founder’s guest spots, share behind-the-scenes episodes, or highlight a foodie podcast you love.

October 2025

Trick or treat? With October, mostly treats. Spooky celebrations and fall festivities drive customers in. Clients and followers love seasonal drink, food and ingredient. October is also the:

• Vegetarian Awareness Month - Vegan restaurants, it's your time to shine. 30 days, 30 dishes? 1 month vegan challenge?
• National Pasta Month
• National Pizza Month
• National Apple Month
• National Cookie Month
• National Dessert Month
• National Seafood Month
• Pink October

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

October 1: International Coffee Day - Key day for coffee shops, specialty coffee, baristas... Partner with local roasters, offer free espresso shots with meals or create a pairing menu (one dish, one type of coffee: cold brew, flat white...)

Oct 4 – National Taco Day (Saturday) - A big one. Think taco flights, secret tacos, or “Tacos & Tequila” bundles.

Oct 10 – World Mental Health Day

Oct 13 – International Hamburger Day

Oct 14 – Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day (Federal Holiday)

Oct 16 – World Food Day (UN) - A powerful moment to talk about sourcing, food justice, local producers, or food education. Could tie into donations or educational posts.

Oct 17 – National Pasta Day

Oct 20 – International Chefs Day - Showcase your kitchen team, their favorite dishes, or a behind-the-scenes mini doc on Reels.

Oct 24 – International Champagne Day: perfect for bubbly flight promos, sparkling cocktail nights, or brunch pairings.

Oct 25–31 – Halloween Week - Theme your menus, decor, and cocktails. Costume brunches, trick-or-treat dessert menus, or staff costume battles always perform well.

Oct 31 – Halloween - The biggest activation day. Host parties, spooky food menus, pumpkin drink specials, or horror Trivia. Don’t forget candy for the little ones with themed takeout packaging. You can also go rogue: homemade candy, vegan candy...

Example : Dunkin’ Donut launched a "Spider Donut" during Halloween 2024 with a character called « SpideyD ». A huge success on Instagram.

🍴Food & Hospitality Observances

Oct 1 – World Vegetarian Day - During this Vegetarian Awareness Month, October 1st is the peak day.

Oct 6 – National Noodle Day - A good one for Asian concepts and fast-casual bowls. Spotlight your ramen, pho, noodle stir-fry, or show the hand-made noodle process.

Oct 9 – World Egg Day

Oct 10 – National Cake Decorating Day

Oct 11 – National Sausage Pizza Day

Oct 14 – National Dessert Day - A strong performer for Instagram. Run a dessert tasting board, sampler flight, or free dessert with dine-in meal.

Oct 15 – National Red Wine Day

Oct 16 – National Liquor Day / World Bread Day - A good opportunity for bakeries & restaurants that ferment, bake or mix in-house.

Oct 18 – National Chocolate Cupcake Day
Run a “first 50 customers get one free” special or showcase your baker’s wildest creation.

Oct 20 – National Chicken & Waffles Day

Oct 21 – National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day

Oct 22 – National Nut Day - Could be fun for new dishes (pistachio cream, walnut bitters, almond crusts) or for puns "going nuts".

Oct 23 – National Boston Cream Pie Day

Oct 25 – National Greasy Foods Day - Perfect for a hangover takeaway.

Oct 26 – National Pumpkin Day - The day to go hard on all things pumpkin, lattes, pies, soups, ravioli, or even pumpkin beer.

Oct 28 – National Chocolate Day

Oct 29 – National Oatmeal Day

Oct 30 – National Candy Corn Day

Oct 31 – Caramel Apple Day (also Halloween!)

November 2025

Gratitude, comfort food, and cozy vibes take center stage. From Movember to Thanksgiving, this month is rich in cause marketing, seasonal flavors, and feel‑good community campaigns. November is the month of:

• Movember (Men’s Health Awareness Month) - go full moustache
• National Bread Month
• National Fun With Fondue Month
• National Peanut Butter Lover’s Month
• National Pepper Month
• World Vegan Month

Nov 1 – World Vegan Day

Nov 3 – World Sandwich Day

Nov 11 – Singles’ Day - This huge e-commerce event (originating from China) recently became more global. Restaurants can tap into it with solo dining menus, self-love happy hours, or limited offers for “just one.”

Nov 13 – World Kindness Day / International Day Against Poverty

Nov 14 – World Diabetes Day

Nov 16 – International Day for Tolerance -Great for inclusive brands: highlight your multicultural staff, diverse menu inspirations, or community initiatives.

Nov 17 – International Philosophy Day - This one’s niche, but quirky venues or wine bars can use it for “deep conversation” nights, quote‑themed table tents, or philosopher-inspired cocktails.

Nov 19 – World Toilet Day - Launch an Instagram campaign to encourage customers to take selfies in your toilets (make sure the lighting is great, decorate them).
All selfies should tag your location (great for SEO), the top 3 best ones get 20% off the next meal.

Nov 20 – International Children’s Rights Day - If your venue is family‑friendly, spotlight kids’ menu perks, donate to a children’s charity, or organize a meal giveaway for local families.

Nov 20 – Beaujolais Nouveau Day (always third Thursday of November) - A French tradition that American wine bars and brasseries love to adopt. Celebrate the arrival of the new vintage with a tasting flight, small plates, and storytelling about the wine’s origin.

Nov 21 – World Television Day

Nov 27 – Thanksgiving - A key holiday. Classic strategy: offer a dine‑in Thanksgiving menu, a takeout dinner box, or reinterpret the traditional dishes with a twist.
The Pincers once swapped the turkey for their signature lobster to hilarious effect. Don’t be afraid to riff off tradition if your tone fits.

Nov 28 – Black Friday - Perfect moment to offer limited gift card discounts, special tasting menus, or early bird brunches for post-shopping recovery. Or go the opposite way: quite brunch on black friday.

Nov 29 – Small Business Saturday - Reinforce your local roots. Share your story, showcase staff, or partner with other small producers for a collaborative menu.

Nov 29 – World Giving Day - Launch a donation drive, offer a percentage of the day’s revenue to a local cause, or invite your community to bring items for a food pantry.

Nov 30 – Buy Nothing Day (also known as No Shopping Day)

December 2025

The winter holiday season is here. Festive vibes, winter menus, charitable spirit, and big nights leading to New Year’s Eve. High-volume dining opportunities. On social media, spread joy, offer gifts and promotions, countdown to Christmas. December is also the:

• National Eggnog Month
• National Fruit Cake Month
• Worldwide Food Service Safety Month

📅 Seasonal Events & Holidays

Dec 1 – First Day of Advent - An early moment to start festival menu teasers, showcase holiday baking calendars, or announce seasonal promotions. Advent calendars could work well on stories or physical calendars in-house.

Dec 5 – World Volunteer Day & International Equal Opportunities Day - Great themes for community-minded restaurants.

Dec 6 – St. Nicholas Day - Popular in European communities; bakeries or cafés can sell brioche, spiced cookies, or treat boxes inspired by this Saint's tradition.

Dec 8 – World Climate Day & Green Monday

Dec 10 – Human Rights Day

Dec 13 – International Raclette Day - A dreamy fit for bistros, alpine concepts, and French restaurants. Offer raclette boards, seasonal fondue, or cheese-pairing events to go with wine or charcuterie.

Dec 19 – International Christmas Sweater Day - Host a themed holiday night: ugly sweater wearers get a discount or free festive drink. Fun photo ops + social shares.

Dec 20 – Human Solidarity Day

Dec 20 to Jan 5 – Holiday Season / Christmas Holidays - Peak travel and family gatherings. Offer holiday menus, festive bundles, reservation promotions, or takeaway boxes fit for family dine-in.

Dec 22 – First Day of Winter

Dec 24 – International Sangria Day

Dec 25 – Christmas Day - For restaurants open on Christmas: offer special holiday meals, prix-fixe menus, festive décor, and generosity gestures, think kid-friendly desserts, personalized plating, or gratitude cards. Or go the opposite way "Christmas with friends": allow people to celebrate outside with their chosen family.

Dec 26 – Boxing Day - Consider post-Christmas brunches, bubbly specials, or leftover-inspired menus.

Dec 31 – New Year’s Eve - The biggest night of the year. Offer celebratory menus, champagne or cocktail pairings, party vibes, plate stamping, or photo booths. Share countdown content and limited party seating availability. Ask guests for their New Year’s resolutions to boosts engagement and share the best ones.

🍴 Food & Hospitality Observances

Dec 2 – International Sambaday

Dec 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Dec 11 – International Mountain Day

Dec 15 – Esperanto Day

Dec 21 – World Orgasm Day - Tread carefully: focus on cheeky dessert marketing, indulgent cocktails, or playful dessert duets. Only if it matches brand tone and local culture.

Top Digital Tool : the MalouApp Marketing Calendar

Remembering every food holiday, sporting event and public holiday is tough. MalouApp, Malou’s all‑in‑one marketing platform for restaurants, includes a built‑in Marketing Calendar pre‑loaded with these key dates !

Plan posts for Instagram, Facebook, Google, TikTok and set reminders for special menus directly in the platform. Make sure your info is always up to date on all platforms for SEO, all year long. With MalouApp you’ll never miss an opportunity to engage guests and boost sales.

Curious to see how it works? Book a free demo or reach out to our US team at +1 929 494 52 10 !