Hashtags help people connect by building communities that generate buzz and creating social media holidays for followers to celebrate together. Hashtag holidays are social media events that drive engagement, spark conversations and offer timely opportunities for brands.
From #DressUpYourPetDay to #CustomerAppreciationDay, there are hundreds of hashtag holidays to choose from. By using the right ones, you can forge relationships with your ideal customers and reach your goals on social. But it can be difficult to determine which ones are relevant for your brand and will resonate with your audience.
We’ve curated a comprehensive list of the top hashtag holidays for 2025. Read on to learn more about how to find the right social-specific holidays to spice up your calendar and brand examples that stood out to us from 2023 and 2024.
What are hashtag holidays?
Hashtag holidays are special days—ranging from global celebrations to quirky, themed occasions—that gain traction on social media through their designated hashtags.
You’re probably familiar with big ones like #ValentinesDay, #InternationalWomensDay and #AprilFoolsDay. But what about celebrating #NationalDonutDay on June 7th or #PlanForVacationDay on January 30th?
Every month offers unique opportunities to tap into these social media moments, making your posts feel timely, relevant and engaging.
Creating your hashtag holiday strategy
Like any social media plan, your holiday hashtag strategy needs thoughtful planning. Follow these simple steps to craft a strategy that aligns with your goals and engages your audience.
Choose relevant hashtag holidays
It’s important to understand your brand’s social goals and objectives, and your audience’s needs to help you avoid celebrating hashtag holidays that may not be relevant.
According to the latest edition of The Sprout Social Index™, the main reason consumers follow brands on social is to stay informed about new products and services, so look for ways to tie hashtag holidays to your offerings. For example, #NationalBookDay content is a perfect fit for a library.
Be thoughtful about what holidays work for your brand and how to incorporate them into your social media calendar.
When determining which hashtags are right for your brand, ask yourself two questions:
- Does this hashtag seem like a natural fit for the brand?
- Will this hashtag holiday resonate with my audience?
Use consumer data for decision-making
Social listening provides a deeper understanding of your audience. It helps marketers analyze online conversations, identify trending topics and uncover opportunities to engage with relevant themes.
For example, Sprout’s Social Listening solutions help you monitor discussions around your industry and brand. This will help you find the hashtags and topics your audience cares about most, giving you a clear direction on which hashtag holidays to prioritize.
Similarly, Sprout Tags help you track the hashtags your brand already uses to identify which ones are driving engagement and refine your strategy.
Combining social listening insights with hashtag tracking through Sprout Tags will enable you to align your content with audience interests, tap into trending conversations and boost the results of your hashtag holiday campaigns.
Research hashtag holidays before creating content
Once you’ve identified holiday hashtags that align with your audience, dive deeper to ensure your content feels relevant and timely. Look at how other brands in your industry approached similar holidays last year and evaluate what resonated with their audiences.
As the holiday approaches, refresh your research with updated social listening data to identify trending conversations and themes. This will give you a clear picture of how people are celebrating this year and help you create content to reflect real-time sentiment and global context.
Prepare your hashtag holiday content in advance
Don’t wait until the holiday to create your content. Once you have a great idea, start resource planning accordingly. Then, begin the process of creating your content, getting it approved and scheduling it in advance.
Don’t forget to have fun and get creative with your posts. Use hashtag holidays as an opportunity to showcase your brand’s personality by adding humor, trending formats or interactive elements like polls and quizzes.
You can also engage your audience by posting user-generated content (UGC)—ask them to share photos, stories or ideas related to the holiday and feature their contributions in your posts.
Repurpose content where it makes sense. For example, if you’re celebrating #NationalPizzaDay, repurpose an old recipe post with updated visuals or pair it with a trending meme for a fresh spin.
Note: The fun nature of hashtag holidays makes them the perfect opportunity to collaborate with other members of your team. Loop in your teammates as soon as possible if you’re planning to join forces.
2025 hashtag holidays to include in your monthly calendar (with examples)
Here are some of our favorite hashtag holidays from 2023 and 2024 and the brands that nailed their execution.
January hashtag holidays
#NationalTriviaDay
As the Jeopardy of hashtag holidays, #NationalTriviaDay marks the day every year when people (and brands) can flaunt their niche knowledge. For Trivia enthusiasts, January 4 is the highlight of their year.
In 2024, Infiniti USA engaged its Instagram followers with a fun quiz, challenging them to name as many showcased car models as possible. The post garnered thousands of engagements from car enthusiasts worldwide.
Apply it: Use this holiday as a chance to gamify your new product announcements or brand history. Ask your community if they know how your products are made or if they remember the original name of your top products. Watch the likes, replies and answers come streaming in.
#NationalHatDay
January 15 is #NationalHatDay—a perfect time to show your love for hats. It’s also a great opportunity to host an interactive giveaway to spark conversations and increase engagement.
For example, Lids celebrated #NationalHatDay with a giveaway offering branded merchandise and a gift card to one lucky winner. The contest encouraged people to like, tag friends and comment—a simple yet effective way to boost engagement.
Apply it: Use #NationalHatDay to showcase your branded swag. Offer prizes that reflect your brand’s personality and encourage followers to participate by tagging friends or sharing personal stories.
#NationalPieDay
Every year on January 23, people all over the US celebrate one of America’s favorite desserts. #NationalPieDay is a perfect hashtag holiday for pie shops. But restaurants and food manufacturers aren’t the only brands who can get a slice of this social buzz.
9GAG celebrated #NationalPieDay with a playful screenshot game. Viewers were encouraged to take a screenshot of a spinning pie carousel, with the pie they landed on revealing their “pie personality.” This interactive approach captivated their audience and turned a simple post into a highly engaging activity.
Apply it: Are there creative and interactive ways your product can intersect with pie? If so, lean into them when planning your content.
February hashtag holidays
#NationalPizzaDay
As one of the most delicious hashtag holidays, #NationalPizzaDay on February 9 is an ideal opportunity to showcase your gooey cheese and buttery crust and rally your customers around fan-favorite offerings.
Dominos launched a National Pizza Day contest to engage their audience. In the comments section of the Instagram post about their giveaway, their most loyal fans were eager to share their go-to pizza order.
Apply it: Whether you’re expanding your offerings to include pizza or you’re a long-established chain, people love a chance to win free items from your menu. Host a giveaway or contest to celebrate this holiday.
#GalentinesDay
While Galentine’s Day officially originated on the show “Parks and Recreation,” February 13 became widely celebrated on social as a way for everyone to go all-out for their besties.
Last #GalentinesDay, KushKards showcased a curated collection of pink greeting cards and gift sets perfect for celebrating friendships.
Apply it: How can your products cater to best friends? Try creating a #GalentinesDay gift guide or share ideas on how to celebrate your bestie with the help of your brand.
#LoveYourPetDay
Celebrated on February 20, #LoveYourPetDay is a special day for pet owners to show off their beloved furry companions. It’s a heartwarming opportunity for brands to tap into the universal love for pets.
Last #LoveYourPetDay, Spectrum Collections celebrated by showcasing their Lady and the Tramp collection. Their post featured adorable pet-themed products, perfectly tying their offering to the holiday. They also encouraged followers to share pictures of their pets, offering a chance to be featured on their Instagram stories.
Apply it: Consider highlighting pet-themed products, sharing user-generated content of customers’ pets or behind-the-scenes content of employees with their pets. Make it a fun and rewarding day for your audience to engage with your brand.
March hashtag holidays
#PopcornLoversDay
#PopcornLoversDay is observed on March 10. The hashtag holiday is a chance for snack enthusiasts to enjoy new popcorn flavors and desserts.
Hidden Valley Ranch celebrated #PopcornLoversDay by sharing a fun post of an unlikely pairing: popcorn and ranch. The post sparked curiosity about the unique pairing and created buzz around their product.
Apply it: When celebrating #PopcornLoversDay on social, brands should take a cue from Hidden Valley Ranch and pair popcorn with an activity related to their product or service.
#WorldStorytellingDay
#WorldStorytellingDay on March 20 brings an ancient tradition to a modern forum by connecting people through stories.
In 2023, the co-founder of the nonprofit organization Child Arise shared an article about the power of the world’s smallest storytellers, children. The humanitarian organization’s #WorldStorytellingDay LinkedIn post summarized their mission and how storytelling helps them transform the lives of children worldwide.
Apply it: Use #WorldStorytellingDay to tie your content back to your mission or the history of your brand.
April hashtag holidays
#NationalSiblingsDay
Let’s hear it for the siblings. #NationalSiblingsDay on April 10 celebrates the special bond siblings share.
Some brands celebrate the hashtag holiday literally. Last year, Southwest Airlines introduced their customers to siblings on their flight crews in this TikTok video.
Apply it: If you have siblings working at your organization, consider highlighting them on #NationalSiblingsDay. You can also feature other siblings like adorable animals and famous families.
#EarthDay
#EarthDay is more than just a hashtag holiday—it’s the world’s largest environmental movement. Social media helps the cause gain momentum, which is why every April 22 your feeds are flooded with Earth appreciation content.
Grove Collaborative, the sustainable cleaning and personal care products brand, takes #EarthDay to the next level by celebrating #EarthMonth. They held a contest in honor of Earth Month to highlight Sustainable Superstars from their community.
Apply it: If you post on #EarthDay, make sure to align your content with your corporate responsibility initiatives. A post with no action to back it up will fall flat. Show your audience what you’re doing to give back, and take a moment to highlight your community members who are leading the sustainability charge.
May hashtag holidays
#StarWarsDay
#Maythe4thBeWithYou—or #StarWarsDay—on May 4 is the celebration of all things Star Wars. Prepare your Baby Yoda memes and Chewbacca cosplay and queue up all 12+ movies.
On #Maythe4th, LEGO rounded up user-generated content of their legendary LEGO Star Wars sets. The result was an awe-inspiring carousel that reminded their fans of epic battles they could build in their homes.
Apply it: This quirky hashtag holiday isn’t right for every brand. But if your community is made up of die-hard Star Wars fans, they’ll appreciate you venturing to a galaxy far, far away. Just be sure to use the right lingo and create relevant content, or you could risk ending up on your community’s dark side. May the force be with you.
#InternationalMuseumDay
#InternationalMuseumDay, celebrated annually on May 18, shines a spotlight on the importance of museums in cultural exchange and education. It’s an opportunity tothe perfect occasion to explore art, history, and innovation—whether virtually or in person.
In 2024, on #InternationalMuseumDay, ICOM shared a communications kit designed to help museums worldwide participate in the celebrations. Their campaign encouraged museums to engage with the theme by hosting events, sharing stories, and promoting their role as knowledge hubs.
Apply it: Partner with museums or cultural institutions to create content that aligns with the theme. Share stories, host educational sessions, or spotlight museum collections to inspire your audience to appreciate the transformative power of museums.
June hashtag holidays
#NationalDonutDay
On the first Friday of June, we celebrate #NationalDonutDay and pay homage to the glazed, cream-filled treats.
When you picture donuts, it’s hard not to imagine racks of sugary goodness offered at Dunkin’. In 2024, the brand gave away free donuts to everyone who purchased a beverage for the hashtag holiday. They promoted the giveaway with a cheeky message to fans on social.
Apply it: It’s hard not to love free donuts. Offering a donut giveaway will help generate foot traffic to your store and engagement on social. Even if you aren’t a donut maker, try partnering with a baked goods company to generate foot traffic and make the most of the occasion.
July hashtag holidays
#WorldUFODay
If you believe in aliens, you’re not alone. Some 65% of Americans believe intelligent life exists outside of Earth. On July 2 social media users commemorate the quest to learn more about what lies beyond the stars with #WorldUFODay.
Even if you don’t have a sci-fi brand, you can still create out-of-this-world content. For example, the City of Las Vegas celebrated the hashtag holiday with an ode to the alien-themed attractions in their city.
Apply it: Don’t overthink it. Find a fun, playful way to link your brands’ offerings to the alien phenomenon.
August hashtag holidays
#NationalLazyDay
#NationalLazyDay on August 10 is a hashtag holiday we can all get behind. Who doesn’t need an excuse to take a break and be cozy?
La-Z-Boy, the comfy furniture company, showed their customers how they help make everyday lazy. They paired videos of people resting in their famous recliners on the Plaza.
Apply it: How do your products/services give your customers a chance to be “lazy”? Take a cue from La-Z-Boy and show your followers how you can help them sit back and relax.
#WorldPhotographyDay
Did you know 61,400+ photos are taken every second? #WorldPhotographyDay on August 19 gives people an opportunity to share their love of photography.
Philanthropic pet service organization Vets4Pets Cross Hands asked followers to share photographs of their pets on the theme of “What’s a day like for your pet?” using the hashtag #AnEntireDay.
Apply it: If you’re a photography brand, share the people behind your company’s favorite photos and ask your customers to share their favorites with you. This holiday is a great opportunity to build community and true connection.
September hashtag holidays
#NationalGrandparentsDay
On the first Sunday after Labor Day in the US, we celebrate all our beloved grandparents on #NationalGrandparentsDay.
To celebrate the occasion, Papersource, the paper goods company, shared instructions for how to make homemade cards for parents who have been “promoted” to grandparent status. The sweet tutorial endeared and inspired their followers.
Apply it: Celebrate the hashtag holiday by presenting your audience with grandparent gift guides made with your products. Or take a page from Papersource’s content strategy and share DIY ideas.
#WomensHealthAndFitnessDay
The last Wednesday of September is #WomensHealthAndFitnessDay. This hashtag holiday celebrates rituals that promote women’s well-being and encourage women to find joy in movement.
To celebrate, Dr. Teal’s wellness and personal care brand created a video about improving the sleep cycle. The video featured their Epsom salt products as the perfect addition to recovery routines.
Apply it: If your brand is in the wellness industry, carve out a spot in your content calendar for #WomensHealthAndFitnessDay. Show your audience how to use your products to support their fitness journey and overall well-being.
October hashtag holidays
#InternationalCoffeeDay
Perhaps the most beloved hashtag holiday of all, #InternationalCoffeeDay on October 1 celebrates our collective love of java.
On #InternationalCoffeeDay, the U.S. State Department celebrated with a coffee break alongside their incredible team, enjoying everything from Turkish coffee to frothy espressos. Highlighting the diversity in flavors and camaraderie, they invited others to explore opportunities to join the team.
Apply it: Make coffee the star of your content on #InternationalCoffeeDay. Turn your logo into latte art. Show your team recharging with a cup of joe. Give away free coffee to everyone who visits your store. Give the people what they want: coffee.
#NationalCatDay
If there’s anything pet parents love, it’s a chance to show you their pets. On #NationalCatDay on October 29, cat owners spoil their kitties with extra love and post their favorite photos and videos of them.
Tocaboca celebrated #NationalCatDay by creating a video of all cats in the TocaBoca world. The video asked viewersviews to choose their favorite cat and drop the number in the comments. An easy-peasy way of engaging with their follower-base.
Apply it: How do cats play a role in your business? Do remote employees have cats who crash their video calls? Feature them in your next video. Also, with Halloween around the corner, you can give your cat content a spooky twist.
H4: November hashtag holidays
November marks the start of the festive buzz, bringing with it the perfect opportunity to explore holiday season hashtags. Use these trending tags to join the fun and engage with your audience!
H3: #GivingTuesday
#GivingTuesday marks the Tuesday after Black Friday when people turn their spending toward nonprofits.
On #GivingTuesday, The Ottawa Mission partnered with @dymonselfstorage, which lit its facilities green to symbolize hope, health, and new beginnings. DYMON matched donations made on December 2– and 3 and pledged to donate a meal for every share of their post, encouraging the community to unite to support those experiencing homelessness.
Apply it: Unless you’re an NGO or partnering with one, don’t promote your content on #GivingTuesday. Instead, amplify and make space for organizations that are serving communities in need.
December hashtag holidays
December is filled with festive spirit, making it the perfect time to leverage popular Christmas holiday hashtags like #MerryChristmas and #ChristmasEve for meaningful engagement. Explore some other popular holiday hashtags below.
#NationalCupcakeDay
Who doesn’t like cupcakes? Celebrated on December 15, #NationalCupcakeDay is an ideal holiday for bakeries, food brands and even lifestyle businesses to engage with their audience in a fun way.
Wilton used this opportunity to showcase its best-selling cake decorating products and encouraged followers to check out the recipes by clicking the link in the bio. Their unique cupcakes created curiosity among the viewers and this in turn helped them get thousands of engagements on and off social media.
Apply it: Share festive cupcake recipes, host cupcake decorating contests or offer special discounts. Sweeten the day by engaging your audience and showcasing your creativity!
#Festivus
Although the show “Seinfeld” ended long ago, it’s still influencing pop culture. In the show, the character George Constanza’s family celebrated #Festivus as an alternative to Christmas. Since then, Dec 23 has become a holiday season hashtag observed by Seinfield superfans.
The Mets joined the #Festivus fun on Instagram, sharing a playful post that read, “Festivus is your heritage, George. Happy Festivus!” The caption brought nostalgic humor from the Seinfeld-inspired holiday, engaging their followers with a clever nod to pop culture.
Apply it: If your community is full of Seinfeld appreciators, make room in your holiday content calendar for #Festivus. Be sure to include nods to holiday traditions like displaying an aluminum pole and performing the airing of grievances.
What’s next for your content in 2025
Now that you know some of the hashtag holidays coming up in 2025, it’s time to start planning. Remember to stay true to your brand by choosing relevant hashtags that will help foster a deeper connection with your target audience.
Use our 30-day social media plan template to ensure your social media content aligns with your community’s interests and contributes to overall business value. By completing just one task each day for the next 30 days, you can fully transform your social content.
The post Hashtag holidays that need to be part of your strategy in 2025 appeared first on Sprout Social.
