Plan ahead by adding these 100+ key dates and strategies to your marketing calendar now (your future self will thank you).
We get asked a lot about what dates and holidays provide the best opportunities to text subscribers with timely offers or educational content. Our 2023 text messaging calendar is full of actionable tips and ideas for each marketing holiday, so you can engage subscribers and drive revenue with timely text messages.
Once you’re ready to dig in and start scheduling your campaigns, use our SMS Planning Calendar Template. It’s got everything you need to track marketing moments, which audiences you’re engaging, and campaign status.
Explore our top SMS tips and strategies for 2023’s key marketing dates.
Be sure to bookmark this post so you can reference it throughout the year, and also download our full 2023 calendar PDF. You can also download calendars for the UK, Canada, and Australia.
January 2023 Holidays
January 1: New Year’s Day
Curate a seasonal lookbook for your SMS subscribers, and inspire them to step confidently into the new year.
January 3: Festival of Sleep Day
Share a helpful sleeping tip and your most relaxing products to help subscribers recharge from the holidays and start the year refreshed.
January 11: National Take the Stairs Day
Drive traffic to your stores with BOPIS deals, encouraging subscribers to step up and get active.
January 14: Dress up Your Pet Day
Give your subscribers another reason to embrace their furry friends’ fashion by offering 10% off pet clothing and accessories.
January 16: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Engage your subscribers with your brand’s purpose. Share opportunities to volunteer with organizations your brand supports, or let them know a portion of your sales will be donated to make an impact.
January 19: National Popcorn Day
Get your subscribers to pop over to your website with a 15% discount on salty snacks—and a movie recommendation.
January 22: Lunar New Year
Have potential new subscribers try their luck at winning a Year of the Rabbit giveaway with a Spin-to-Win sign-up unit.
January 25: Opposite Day
Embrace this childhood holiday by sharing a “goodnight” message in the morning with a percent-off discount.
January 26: Spouse’s Day
Help your SMS subscribers show appreciation for their other half while treating themselves with a BOGO offer on small gifts and products.
January 29: National Puzzle Day
Share a puzzling riddle using Attentive’s Two-Way Journeys™, and instantly reward those who respond correctly with an exclusive offer.
February 2023 Holidays
February 2: Groundhog Day
On this day full of anticipation, try using an A/B test, where one segment receives an “Early Spring” prize and the other gets a “Late Winter” discount.
February 9: National Pizza Day
Use Attentive’s Two-Way Journeys™ to give personalized product recommendations based on the subscriber’s favorite pizza toppings.
February 11: Make a Friend Day
Promote your loyalty programs and customer communities so engaged subscribers can build a stronger relationship with your brand and like-minded customers.
February 12: Game Day
Tackle game day engagement by having your subscribers reply with which team they’re rooting for. Then, reward them with either a winning offer or a consolation discount after the game.
February 14: Valentine’s Day
Win over the hearts (and wallets) of your last-minute shoppers with free two-day shipping and “gifts of experience” recommendations.
February 17: National Random Acts of Kindness Day
Launch a “buy one, give one” deal to support a cause that’s important to your brand.
February 20: President’s Day
Send a patriotic-themed text message, and share a three-day discount to encourage subscribers to take advantage of the sale over the long weekend.
February 26: Tell a Fairy Tale Day
Tell your brand’s story in the form of a classic fairy tale to amuse your SMS audience while growing brand awareness.
March 2023 Holidays
National Nutrition Month
If you’re a health-related brand, educate subscribers on nutrition tips and healthy habits by sharing a helpful blog post or video.
March 8: International Women’s Day
Give your subscribers a behind-the-scenes look into your brand by spotlighting the strong women behind it and their stories.
March 12: Academy Awards
Nominate your products for custom awards—like a Best Actor award with a complimentary item as Best Supporting Actor—to drive product discovery.
March 12: Plant a Flower Day
Create a bundle offer of your spring bestsellers as a “bouquet” for your SMS subscribers.
March 14: Pi Day
Launch a punny Spin-to-Win sign-up unit on your mobile site for a chance to win a “slice of the deals pie.”
March 17: St. Patrick's Day
Using Attentive’s Two-Way Journeys™, have subscribers reply with their “luckiest” keyword (“HORSESHOE,” “CLOVER,” etc.) to receive a surprise offer.
March 20: First Day of Spring
Motivate your subscribers to start their spring cleaning by sharing tips and product recommendations.
March 21: National Poetry Day
Embrace your inner poet in your messaging to switch up your usual engagement and grab subscribers’ attention.
April 2023 Holidays
April 1: April Fool’s Day
Forgo the pranks of this holiday, and celebrate the day by sending a playful GIF promoting a 24-hour flash sale.
April 2: National Peanut Butter & Jelly Day
Bundle products that fit just as well as this classic pairing.
April 7: World Health Day
Celebrate healthcare heroes and encourage subscribers to shop by letting them know you’ll donate a percentage of every purchase to a charity.
April 9: Easter
Offer your SMS audience the convenience of free gift wrapping to stand out from other spring holiday sales and encourage subscribers to convert.
April 10: National Siblings Day
Send subscribers curated gift guides to help them find the perfect gifts for their loved ones.
April 11: National Pet Day
Ask customers what kind of pet they have with a Preference Collection form on your website’s sign-up unit. Use this zero-party data to welcome new subscribers with relevant pet product recommendations.
April 14: National Gardening Day
Embrace this holiday by sharing an SMS-exclusive offer for your green-thumbed subscribers, from hand cream to sun hats.
April 15: World Art Day
Text subscribers a GIF highlighting art pieces that speak to a range of tastes. Consider offering subscribers a dollar or percentage off to encourage them to add to their collection.
April 18: Tax Day
Send subscribers a reminder to submit their taxes—and to celebrate with an exclusive 18% off promotion to mark the date.
April 22: Earth Day
Encourage your subscribers to shop green and spend time in nature by sharing deals on sustainable items and outdoor equipment.
April 28: Arbor Day
Help subscribers get involved and drive sales by donating a percentage of their purchase to a conservation charity.
May 2023 Holidays
Mental Health Awareness Month
Help your subscribers take some time to focus on themselves, with self care tips and product recommendations.
May 2: National Teacher Appreciation Day
Share a curated gift guide to help subscribers say "thank you" to the teachers in their life.
May 13: National Apple Pie Day
Share something sweet by offering subscribers a free dessert with any purchase.
May 14: Mother’s Day
Send subscribers a helpful shipping deadline reminder to ensure their purchases arrive before the holiday. If your subscribers are last-minute shoppers, let them know about BOPIS or gift card options.
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
Give subscribers another reason to spoil their pups by sending a BOGO deal on pet toys.
May 24: National Scavenger Hunt Day
Celebrate the day by letting subscribers know they can find a hidden code on your website. Using Two-Way Journeys, instantly reward all those that find the code with a percent-off discount.
May 25: Geek Pride Day
Geek out with your SMS subscribers. Use conversational messaging to find what they’re passionate about, and recommend gadgets they may enjoy.
May 27: National Sunscreen Day
Send suncare tips to help subscribers soak up the sun safely. Use Text-to-Buy to make it easy for subscribers to restock on their sun protection by simply replying with a keyword.
May 29: Memorial Day
Mark the unofficial start of summer by giving subscribers 24 hours to shop the weekend-long sale before anyone else. Include a holiday-themed GIF to catch subscribers' attention.
May 30: National Creativity Day
Tap into your subscribers’ creativity and share user-generated content highlighting your most popular items.
June 2023 Holidays
June 4: National Cheese Day
Embrace this playful holiday by offering subscribers 20% off cheesy snacks.
June 7: Global Running Day
Share a curated collection of items to help runners hit the road—including gear, fitness equipment, and products for post-run recovery.
June 8: National Best Friends Day
Send SMS subscribers a BOGO offer to pick something special to treat their bestie—and themselves.
June 11: National Children’s Day
Offer subscribers 10% off so they can stock up on summer essentials for kids, including apparel, beach toys, and outdoor play equipment.
June 18: Father’s Day
If you use Attentive ConciergeTM, remind subscribers that your brand is just a text way for any product questions, shipping support, and gift recommendations for every type of dad.
June 19: Juneteenth
Share a list of organizations your brand supports to encourage subscribers to engage in anti-racism work through volunteering and donations.
June 21: Summer Solstice
Celebrate the official start of summer by sending a summer-themed GIF promoting a 24-hour flash sale.
June 27: National Sunglasses Day
Send subscribers a text highlighting your best-selling shades, and include a GIF previewing each pair. Bonus tip: if you offer virtual try-on, let subscribers know how easy it is to see how the frames look.
June 30: National Social Media Day
Invite subscribers to tag your brand on Instagram in their photos with your products for a chance to win an e-gift card and be featured on your grid.
July 2023 Holidays
July 1: International Joke Day
Lighten up your SMS channel with a punny message or meme related to your products to delight subscribers and drive revenue.
July 4: Independence Day
Celebrate with a seasonal GIF highlighting a 24-hour flash sale. So between the cookouts and fireworks, subscribers can shop and save.
July 5: National Bikini Day
Help subscribers find their perfect fit by sharing product reviews for your top-selling swimwear and accessories.
July 11-12: Amazon Prime Day
Drive subscribers to your brand's Amazon page (if you have one), or consider launching a competing sale that offers the kind of "lightning deals" consumers expect from Amazon's annual event.
July 13: National French Fry Day
Offer subscribers free fries with every online and in-store order above a given dollar amount.
July 15: National Clean Beauty Day
Remind subscribers about the benefits of your most popular clean beauty products, or educate them on the importance of clean beauty.
July 17: World Emoji Day
Diversify your campaign messages by telling your brand’s story using only emojis—following up with a quick “translation” to grow brand awareness.
July 23: Parents’ Day
Help subscribers celebrate their parental figures by sending a gift guide with recommendations for every interest.
July 29: National Lipstick Day
Embrace this holiday by sharing an SMS-exclusive offer for makeup lovers to find their new favorite shade. If you offer virtual try-on, let subscribers know how easy it is to see how different shades will look on them.
August 2023 Holidays
Throughout the month, recommend activities that are fun for the whole family and centered around your products.
August 4: National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day
Sweeten your subscribers’ day by offering them a free dessert with any purchase.
August 6: Sisters Day
Help subscribers celebrate their loved ones by highlighting your best-selling gift sets (so they can take part in the fun, too).
August 8: International Cat Day
Help subscribers give their feline friends the VIP treatment by sending a BOGO deal on pet toys and treats.
August 12: International Youth Day
Highlight the young voices making a difference in the world, and let subscribers know you’ll donate a portion of every sale to the organizations these leaders support.
August 15: National Relaxation Day
Share items that will help them achieve zen, including face masks, loungewear, and home linens.
August 17: National Non-Profit Day
Share the organizations your brand supports, and help subscribers give back by donating a portion of your sales on this day.
August 26: Women’s Equality Day
Women earn 84% of what men are paid in the United States, on average. Share what your brand is doing behind the scenes to promote women’s equality—from highlighting women leaders to your company’s mentorship programs.
August 30: National Beach Day
Offer subscribers 10% off to stock up on beach essentials before the end of the summer, like swimwear, sunscreen, and sunglasses. Remind shoppers of their shipping options so they can get their items in time for Labor Day.
September 2023 Holidays
September 4: National Wildlife Day
Educate subscribers about the measures your brand is taking to be more eco-friendly—from the impact of your sustainable products to giving back to conservation organizations.
September 4: Labor Day
Give subscribers early access to your Labor Day sale so they can shop their favorite items before anyone else. Include a GIF highlighting the limited-time nature of the sale.
September 6: Read a Book Day
If your brand doesn’t sell books, share recommendations to help subscribers achieve their optimum reading environment—from comfy pillows to bubble bath supplies.
Bonus tip: if you’re an apparel brand, recommend products inspired by your subscriber’s favorite literary characters (think: Daphne Bridgerton).
September 10: Grandparents’ Day
Let subscribers know about your personalization and gift-wrapping options so they can surprise loved ones with gifts.
September 20: National Fortune Cookie Day
Ask your subscribers about their favorite of your products and quickly share a relevant fortune using Attentive’s Two-Way Journeys.
September 21: International Day of Peace
Share the values and causes that matter to your brand, including how subscribers can get involved.
September 23: First Day of Fall
Help subscribers get ready for chillier weather by highlighting new seasonal items like sweaters, boots, earth-toned cosmetics, and fall decor.
September 25: National Cooking Day
Send subscribers a recipe to try out, and link to the items they’ll need to enjoy their meal—from groceries to cookware and table settings.
September 29: National Coffee Day
Offer subscribers a “perk,” like free shipping or a gift with purchase.
October 2023 Holidays
October 4: National Taco Day
Celebrate this tasty holiday by sharing a BOGO offer for tacos that subscribers can redeem in-store or with their delivery order.
October 9: Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Highlight Indigenous communities that are making a difference, and let subscribers know you’ll donate a portion of every sale to organizations supporting and celebrating their work.
October 14: National Dessert Day
Help subscribers indulge their sweet tooth by offering a free dessert to enjoy with their next online or in-store order. If you’re not a food brand, try “treating” subscribers to sweet steals like a free gift with purchase.
October 21: Sweetest Day
Send subscribers an inspirational gift guide so they can share something sweet with their loved ones.
October 28: National First Responders Day
Celebrate frontline workers and encourage subscribers to shop by donating a percentage of every purchase to a charity that supports them.
October 31: Halloween
Share a special “treat” with your subscribers via text messaging by offering a percentage or dollar amount off to help them celebrate.
November 2023 Holidays
November 3: National Sandwich Day
Offer subscribers a free side with their next order of a sandwich online or in-store.
November 11: Singles’ Day
Remind subscribers to embrace the single life and treat themselves with self-care product recommendations and a fun, empowering GIF.
November 12: National Happy Hour Day
Share a recipe for a good time, recommending products subscribers can enjoy during their next happy hour—from glassware to cocktail attire.
November 17: National Hiking Day
Share an SMS-exclusive offer for your outdoorsy subscribers to use on anything from hiking apparel to sunscreen.
November 23: Thanksgiving
Thank subscribers with an exclusive offer for free shipping, or a dollar-off discount they can redeem in-store.
November 24: Black Friday
Build excitement ahead of your Black Friday sale by giving subscribers early access to your Black Friday deals. Include a secret code they can redeem at checkout.
November 25: Small Business Saturday
If you’re a small business—or if your brand carries products from small businesses—highlight popular items in a virtual gift guide. Include a link to a landing page so subscribers can easily shop the featured items.
November 27: Cyber Monday
Ease your subscribers’ holiday shopping worries with Attentive Concierge. Remind shoppers they can always reach out via text for product recommendations, shipping questions, and 1:1 support.
November 28: Giving Tuesday
Share the organizations and causes your brand supports. Let subscribers know how they can give back—whether it’s purchasing items from a collaboration or donating directly to a partner organization.
December 2023 Holidays
December 1: World AIDS Day
Share a list of organizations your brand supports and encourage subscribers to volunteer or join you in making donations.
December 3: International Day of Persons With Disabilities
Tell the stories of the individuals and organizations who are making a difference in the world. Share how your brand is getting involved, and include a link for subscribers to learn more.
December 7: National Letter Writing Day
Offer subscribers a dollar or percentage off on their next order of cards or stationery. If your brand offers personalization options, let subscribers know how they can put their own touch on their items.
December 11: Green Monday
Inspire last-minute shoppers with a digital gift guide highlighting your best-selling items.
December 14: National Free Shipping Day
Remind subscribers of upcoming shipping deadlines, and offer them free shipping for 24 hours so they can get their last-minute gifts in time for the holidays.
December 15: National Cupcake Day
Treat subscribers to free shipping or delivery on their next order.
December 15: National Ugly Sweater Day
Recommend your most popular accessories subscribers can use to uplevel their ugly sweaters, from earrings to seasonal scarves.
December 21: Winter Solstice
Highlight buy online, pick up in-store (BOPIS), curbside pick-up, expedited shipping, or e-gift card options. Or incentivize shoppers with a winter solstice promotion, offering a small gift card with every purchase.
December 23: Super Saturday
Help last-minute shoppers complete their lists by suggesting e-gift cards.
December 26: Boxing Day
Invite your subscribers to “unwrap” a mystery offer by clicking on the link to reveal the deal. Bonus tip: Turn seasonal shoppers into repeat purchasers by offering store credit back with every purchase.
December 31: New Year’s Eve
Treat subscribers like VIPs with an SMS-exclusive New Year promotion. Include a holiday-themed GIF to immediately catch their attention.
Download the full 2023 calendar PDF
New UK, Canada, and Australia Text Messaging Calendars
There are reasons to celebrate, offer discounts, and keep customers engaged every month of the year…and in every country! Check out our unique marketing calendars and tips for the UK, Canada, and Australia.
For more inspiration, browse hundreds of text messaging campaigns sent by our customers in Texts We Love.
