SMS Strategies

2023 Text Messaging Calendar: Important Dates & Actionable Tips

monthly calendars
Published on
Jan 30, 2023
Written by
Caroline Cushner
Caroline is a Content Marketing Strategist on the Content Marketing team. She spends her logged off hours trying new recipes, hiking, and watching classic films.

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 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

National Family Fun Month

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. With Text-to-Buy, subscribers can easily purchase via text, then sit back and relax.

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.

Related Articles

Share