Top e-commerce holidays in 2025

Think about it: every major holiday comes with its own emotions, traditions and expectations. If you’re looking for easy marketing wins, holidays are as good as it gets - as long as you take the time to plan for them. By aligning your content with these occasions, you keep your brand relevant, relatable and in sync with the spirit of each season. However, it does take thoughtful planning to strike a balance between authentic engagement and effective promotion. 

 

Benefits of centering content around e-commerce dates 

Holidays come with built-in attention. From Halloween's spooky thrills to New Year's reflective vibes, these dates naturally generate buzz. All your content needs to do is meet your audience where they already are and tap into each season's momentum. 

These dates also drive action. Whether shopping, planning or engaging on social media, specific dates show a notable spike in consumer behavior. Events like Black Friday and Cyber Monday are prime examples, as they’ve become synonymous with deal-hunting. Ignoring these opportunities could mean missing out on a significant end-of-year sales boost. 

 

Tips for planning your content calendar 

Okay, when we said, "easy wins,” that was a slight exaggeration. Knowing important dates and acting on them are two very different tasks. Even with the best intentions, we all get busy and remembering what and when to market can slip through the cracks. This often leads to last-minute, poorly optimized content that doesn’t deliver the results you were aiming for.  

While it requires some upfront effort, a well-thought-out content calendar will help ensure your campaigns are timely, cohesive and aligned with your brand’s goals. Here are a few things to think about when putting your calendar together:  

• Start early: This may seem like a no-brainer, but taking this step seriously will save you and your team a lot of headaches. Advanced planning gives you the time to create high-quality, impactful campaigns. It also allows you to adjust to unexpected changes or opportunities.  
• Set deadlines: Work backward from the holiday to schedule brainstorming, production and publishing tasks. Remember that customers often expect to see promotions weeks in advance, particularly for major holidays like Halloween or Black Friday. As you build your content calendar, ensure your launch dates provide plenty of time for your audience to engage with your promotions and plan their purchases. 
• Segment your audience: Tailor content for specific demographics. For example, a back-to-school campaign might target parents differently than college students. Additionally, if you’re a construction company, a holiday like Valentine’s Day may not be relevant to your goals, so choose the holidays that best align with your brand and marketing goals. 
• Track and optimize: Keep an eye on your KPIs and take notes on what works best for your business. Use this information to help you strategize for next year.  

 

Top e-commerce holidays to plan for 2025 

 

1. New Year’s Day – January 1, 2025 

The start of a new year is synonymous with fresh beginnings, goal-setting and self-improvement. Many people are motivated to make changes, whether through personal resolutions, lifestyle shifts or exploring new products and services. 

Tip: Launch a campaign focused on helping your audience achieve their goals. Create downloadable guides, challenges or promotions tied to themes of renewal and improvement. 

2. Valentine’s Day – February 14, 2025 

Valentine’s Day is all about love, connection and thoughtful gestures. This holiday allows brands to engage audiences with heartwarming content and creative gifting ideas, whether it’s romantic relationships, friendships or self-love. 

Tip: Build a gift guide tailored to different relationships (partner, friends, self-care) and promote limited-time bundles or deals. Use emotional storytelling to connect with your audience and encourage early shopping. 
 

3. International Women’s Day – March 8, 2025 

This global holiday celebrates the achievements of women and advocates for gender equality. It’s a powerful moment for brands to align themselves with themes of empowerment, advocacy and inspiration. 

Tip: Highlight the stories of women leaders, employees or customers. Use your platform to support a cause or partnership that promotes equality and share the impact of those efforts with your audience. 
 

4. Mother’s Day – May 11, 2025 

A day dedicated to moms and mother figures, this holiday is one of the biggest for gifting. Audiences look for thoughtful and heartfelt ways to express gratitude and appreciation. 

Tip: Create curated gift bundles or offer personalization options for popular products. Share user-generated content that celebrates motherhood, or spotlight your team’s moms to connect emotionally with your audience.   

5. Father’s Day – June 15, 2025 

Father’s Day offers an opportunity to honor dads and father figures. Shoppers often seek practical, fun or memorable gifts to celebrate this day. 

Tip: Showcase products and services tailored to different “dad types” (grill masters, gadget lovers, adventurers). Share relatable stories or tips for making the day extra special. 
 

6. Independance Day - July 4th, 2025 

The excitement of summer peaks with Independence Day, making it a prime time for sales and festive marketing. Customers are looking for patriotic-themed products, summer essentials and holiday deals. 

Tip:  Create an email campaign with tips for hosting the ultimate 4th of July party or share festive recipes and activities on social media. 
 

7. Back to School – Late Summer/Early Fall Teasers Begin in June 

Though the school year officially kicks off later, early June is the perfect time to start back-to-school promotions. Parents, students and educators begin preparing for the academic year ahead. 

Tip: Offer early bird discounts on school essentials or “buy now, save later” deals. Create an email campaign highlighting back-to-school must-haves to help guide your audience’s purchasing decisions while driving engagement. 
 

8. Halloween – October 31, 2025 

Halloween is a celebration of all things spooky, creative and fun. It’s a perfect opportunity for playful campaigns that engage audiences of all ages through costumes, treats or themed products. 

Tip: Host a Halloween-themed contest on social media, encouraging users to share their costumes or creative ideas with a branded hashtag. Offer a prize for the most creative entry to boost engagement. 
 

9. Black Friday –  November 28, 2025  

Black Friday kicks off the holiday shopping season and is synonymous with massive discounts and deals. Consumers actively seek out bargains, making it one of the most profitable days of the year for retailers. 

Tip: Start teasing your deals early through email and social media. Use urgency-focused messaging like “Limited Stock!” or “Shop Before It’s Gone!” to drive conversions. 
 

10. Small Business Saturday – November 29, 2025 

This day celebrates the charm and value of supporting local and small businesses. It’s a chance for smaller brands to stand out by highlighting their uniqueness and personalized customer experience. 

Tip: Share your brand’s story on social media, emphasizing your journey and the impact of supporting small businesses. Offer exclusive discounts or free gifts to show appreciation for your customers. 
 

11. Cyber Monday – December 1, 2025 

Cyber Monday is all about online deals and digital shopping convenience. It’s an extension of Black Friday with a focus on tech, gadgets and online-exclusive offers. 

Tip: Create a one-day-only sale featuring online-exclusive bundles. Use email and social media to highlight fast-shipping options and limited-time promotions to boost urgency. 

 

12. Giving Tuesday – December 2, 2025 

This global movement focuses on generosity and charitable giving. It’s an opportunity for brands to highlight their values and make a meaningful impact. 

Tip: Partner with a nonprofit or pledge a percentage of sales to a cause. Encourage your audience to get involved by matching donations or sharing their stories of giving.   

13. Green Monday – December 8, 2025 

Known as one of the busiest shopping days in December, Green Monday captures the last-minute shoppers looking for holiday deals before shipping cutoffs. 

Tip: Promote eco-friendly products or sustainable gifting options to align with the “green” theme. Use this date to offer exclusive discounts with guaranteed delivery before the holidays. 
 

14. Free Shipping Day – December 14, 2025 

This day appeals to procrastinators who need their gifts delivered in time for the holidays. Offering free shipping removes a common purchasing barrier and encourages last-minute buys. 

Tip: Advertise “Free Shipping with Guaranteed Holiday Delivery” across all channels. Use a countdown to drive urgency and maximize conversions. 
 

15. Super Saturday – December 20, 2025

Super Saturday is the final major shopping day of the season, attracting last-minute shoppers both in-store and online. 

Tip: Emphasize “last chance” messaging with extended store hours or expedited shipping. Offer curated gift guides or pre-wrapped bundles to make shopping convenient and stress-free. 

 

Planning for 2025  

We know your busy planning and executing content for holidays relevant to your industry can be a heavy lift. If you’re looking for more help, our 2025 Social Media Field Guide is a great place to start! This resource makes it easy to quickly plan your 2025 social media strategy.
Not only does it include actionable tips and tricks, but it also features a comprehensive calendar packed with over 600 holidays and observances, themed post ideas and timely reminders tailored to every brand. 

Ready to take the next step? Check it out! 

If you’re looking for more personalized assistance, we’re here for that, too. Let’s chat about how we can support your goals!