The Complete Ecommerce Holiday Calendar: Every Commercially Relevant Date for USA & UK
72 commercially relevant dates in one filterable table — tier-classified, tagged by USA/UK market, with product categories and preparation start dates built in. The only ecommerce holiday calendar you need.
Muhammed Tüfekyapan
Key Takeaways
- 1 72 tier-classified ecommerce dates for USA and UK in one filterable table — filter by month, tier, or market
- 2 Limit discount campaigns to 6-8 per year and start Tier 1 preparation 8-12 weeks out — if a major event is within 60 days and prep has not started, you are behind
- 3 UK Mother's Day (March), Boxing Day, and Bank Holidays are the dates that catch international sellers off guard — run separate campaigns for each market where dates differ
Every year, Shopify merchants miss revenue because they discovered a commercially relevant date too late — or never knew it existed. UK Mother's Day in March catches US-focused sellers off guard. Singles Day passes without a campaign. Amazon Prime Day launches and competitors scramble. This ecommerce holiday calendar is your complete shopify campaign calendar — 72 filterable events for the USA and UK, each tier-classified with product categories and preparation start dates.
Each event is assigned a priority tier: 1 Mega (8–12 wks) · 2 Major (4–6 wks) · 3 Standard (3–4 wks) · 4 Niche (1–2 wks). This ecommerce holiday dates list covers both markets with tier classifications, category relevance, and preparation dates in one filterable view. All dates use 2026 for moveable holidays — verify annually. For the shopify seasonal marketing dates planning framework, three-phase campaign system, and discount depth strategy, read the Holiday Campaign Planning Guide.
The Complete Ecommerce Holiday Calendar
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Month
Tier
Market
72 of 72
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| Date | Event | Tier | Market | Top Categories | Prep Start |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day | 3 | 🌐 Both | Post-holiday sales, fitness, wellness, planners | Mid-Dec |
| Jan 1–5 | January Sales | 3 | 🌐 Both | Deep discounting all categories, winter clearance | Mid-Dec |
| Jan 19 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Mattresses, furniture, home goods, winter apparel | Early Jan |
| Jan 25 | Burns Night | 4 | 🇬🇧 UK | Scottish food, whisky, traditional foods, party supplies | Mid-Jan |
| Late Jan | Winter Clearance Sales | 3 | 🌐 Both | Winter apparel, boots, coats, holiday decor clearance | Early Jan |
| Feb 8 | Super Bowl Sunday | 3 | 🇺🇸 USA | TVs, sound systems, food, party supplies, fan gear | Late Jan |
| Feb 13 | Galentine's Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Gifts for friends, wine, chocolates, self-care | Early Feb |
| Feb 14 | Valentine's Day | 2 | 🌐 Both | Flowers, chocolates, jewelry, lingerie, perfume | Early Jan |
| Feb 16 | Presidents' Day Weekend | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Mattresses, furniture, appliances, winter clearance | Early Feb |
| Feb 17 | Pancake Day / Shrove Tuesday | 4 | 🇬🇧 UK | Pancake ingredients, cookware, frying pans | Early Feb |
| Late Feb | Winter-to-Spring Transition Sales | 3 | 🌐 Both | Winter clearance, early spring items, gardening, fashion | Mid-Feb |
| Mar 8 | International Women's Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Women's brands, beauty, fashion, self-care | Late Feb |
| Mar 15 | UK Mother's Day (Mothering Sunday) | 2 | 🇬🇧 UK | Flowers, chocolates, jewelry, beauty, personalized gifts | Early Feb |
| Mar 17 | St. Patrick's Day | 3 | 🌐 Both | Green-themed products, party supplies, food/beverage | Late Feb |
| Mid-Mar | March Madness Begins | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Sports merchandise, TVs, party supplies, snacks | Early Mar |
| Mar 20 | First Day of Spring | 4 | 🌐 Both | Spring fashion, garden supplies, home decor, outdoor gear | — |
| Late Mar | Spring Sales / Spring Break | 3 | 🌐 Both | Travel, swimwear, outdoor gear, spring fashion, garden | Early Mar |
| Apr 1 | April Fools' Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Novelty items, gag gifts, social media campaigns | — |
| Apr 3–6 | Easter Weekend | 3 | 🌐 Both | Chocolate, candy, gifts, spring fashion, home decor, toys | 3–4 wks prior |
| Apr 15 | Tax Day (USA) | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Tax refund surge: electronics, apparel, furniture | Early Apr |
| Apr 22 | Earth Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Sustainable products, eco-friendly brands, reusable items | Early Apr |
| Late Apr | Spring Clearance | 3 | 🌐 Both | Spring-to-summer transition, fashion, home | Mid-Apr |
| May 4 | Early May Bank Holiday | 3 | 🇬🇧 UK | Long weekend: travel, outdoor, fashion, garden, BBQ | Mid-Apr |
| May 4 | Star Wars Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Pop culture merchandise, toys, collectibles, apparel | Late Apr |
| May 10 | US Mother's Day | 2 | 🇺🇸 USA | Jewelry, flowers, beauty, fashion, personalized gifts | Early Apr |
| May 25 | Memorial Day | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Outdoor furniture, grills, summer clothing, travel | Early May |
| May 25 | Spring Bank Holiday | 3 | 🇬🇧 UK | Long weekend: travel, outdoor, fashion, garden | Early May |
| May–Jun | Wedding Season | 3 | 🌐 Both | Gifts, home goods, registries, fashion, beauty, jewelry | Ongoing |
| Jun 5 | World Environment Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Sustainable products, eco-friendly brands, reusable items | Late May |
| Jun 19 | Juneteenth | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Cultural products, books, apparel, educational materials | Early Jun |
| Jun 21 | Father's Day | 2 | 🌐 Both | Electronics, tools, sporting goods, grooming, tech | Mid-May |
| Jun 21 | Summer Solstice / First Day of Summer | 4 | 🌐 Both | Summer clothing, outdoor gear, travel, beach products | — |
| Jun–Jul | Summer Kickoff Sales | 3 | 🌐 Both | Swimwear, outdoor, travel, fitness, BBQ | Late Jun |
| Jul 4 | Independence Day | 3 | 🇺🇸 USA | BBQ, outdoor furniture, patriotic decor, summer clothing | Mid-Jun |
| Jul 10–12 | Amazon Prime Day | 3 | 🌐 Both | All categories — run counter-sales with product-level pricing | Late Jun |
| Jul 30 | International Day of Friendship | 4 | 🌐 Both | Gifts, jewelry, personalized items | — |
| Jul–Aug | Summer Sale | 3 | 🌐 Both | Spring/summer inventory clearance, seasonal peak products | Late Jun |
| Aug 8 | International Cat Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Pet supplies, cat food, toys, accessories | Late Jul |
| Aug 25 | National Dog Day | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Pet supplies, dog food, toys, accessories | Mid-Aug |
| Aug 31 | UK Summer Bank Holiday | 3 | 🇬🇧 UK | Summer clearance, back-to-school, travel | Mid-Aug |
| Aug–Sep | Back to School Season | 3 | 🌐 Both | School supplies, clothing, electronics, dorm supplies, backpacks | Late Jul |
| Sep 7 | Labor Day | 3 | 🇺🇸 USA | Furniture, mattresses, appliances, electronics, clearance | Mid-Aug |
| Sep 13 | Grandparents Day | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Gifts, flowers, cards, personalized items | Early Sep |
| Sep 22 | First Day of Fall | 4 | 🌐 Both | Fall fashion, home decor, seasonal products | — |
| Sep 28 | National Coffee Day | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Coffee makers, coffee beans, mugs, subscriptions | — |
| Oct 1 | International Coffee Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Coffee products, subscriptions, specialty beans, mugs | — |
| Oct 4 | World Animal Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Pet products, eco-friendly items, charitable partnerships | — |
| Oct 10 | World Mental Health Day | 4 | 🌐 Both | Wellness products, self-care, meditation tools | — |
| Oct 12 | Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples' Day | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Fall sales, 3-day weekend, furniture, fashion | Early Oct |
| Oct 31 | Halloween | 3 | 🌐 Both | Costumes, candy, decorations, party supplies, makeup | Mid-Sep |
| Late Oct | Bonfire Night Prep (for Nov 5) | 4 | 🇬🇧 UK | Fireworks, outdoor clothing, party supplies | Mid-Oct |
| Nov 1–10 | Early Bird Black Friday Deals | 1 | 🌐 Both | Early November deals, VIP early access, strongest discounts first | Sep |
| Nov 5 | Bonfire Night / Guy Fawkes | 4 | 🇬🇧 UK | Fireworks, outdoor clothing, party supplies, food/beverages | Mid-Oct |
| Nov 11 | Veterans Day | 4 | 🇺🇸 USA | Patriotic merchandise, military discounts, charitable campaigns | Late Oct |
| Nov 11 | Remembrance Day | 4 | 🇬🇧 UK | Charitable giving. Respectful approach required | — |
| Nov 11 | Singles Day (11/11) | 3 | 🌐 Both | All categories. Self-gifting focus. Growing Western event | Late Oct |
| Nov 26 | Thanksgiving | 3 | 🇺🇸 USA | Food, home decor, entertaining supplies, travel | Early Nov |
| Nov 27 | Black Friday | 1 | 🌐 Both | ALL categories. Peak shopping day of the year | Sep |
| Nov 28 | Small Business Saturday | 3 | 🌐 Both | Artisan goods, small businesses, unique products | — |
| Nov 30 | Cyber Monday | 1 | 🌐 Both | Online-only deals, tech, electronics, digital goods | Sep |
| Nov 27–30 | BFCM Weekend | 1 | 🌐 Both | Most critical 4-day period. 20–30% of annual revenue | Sep |
| Dec 1 | Giving Tuesday | 4 | 🌐 Both | Charitable giving, purpose-driven brands, donation matching | Late Nov |
| Dec 1–5 | Cyber Week Continues | 3 | 🌐 Both | Extended Cyber Monday deals, catching late BFCM shoppers | — |
| Dec 7 | Green Monday | 3 | 🌐 Both | One of biggest online shopping days before shipping deadlines | Late Nov |
| Dec 14–15 | Free Shipping Day | 3 | 🌐 Both | Last day for free shipping with Christmas delivery guarantee | — |
| Dec 14–22 | Hanukkah | 3 | 🌐 Both | Gifts, Judaica, food items, family products | Late Nov |
| Dec 19 | Super Saturday | 3 | 🇺🇸 USA | Biggest in-store day. Last-minute shoppers, gift cards | — |
| Dec 23–24 | Last-Minute Shopping Rush | 3 | 🌐 Both | Digital products, gift cards, local pickup, emergency gifts | — |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day | 1 | 🌐 Both | Gift giving — the anchor event of Q4 | Oct |
| Dec 26 | Boxing Day | 3 | 🇬🇧 UK | Massive UK sale day. Comparable to Black Friday | Mid-Dec |
| Dec 26–31 | Post-Christmas Sales | 3 | 🌐 Both | Returns, clearance, gift card redemption, self-gifting | Mid-Dec |
| Dec 31 | New Year's Eve | 3 | 🌐 Both | Party supplies, fashion, champagne, beauty | Mid-Dec |
Key Insight: The most missed dates on this ecommerce holiday calendar are the ones that differ between markets. UK Mother's Day in March, Boxing Day in December, and USA-specific events like Labor Day and Presidents' Day catch international sellers off guard every year. Filter by market above to see exactly which dates apply to your store.
Monthly Marketing Themes
Beyond single-day events, month-long marketing themes create extended opportunities on your shopify campaign calendar. These themes are not discount events — they are content and product curation opportunities that most ecommerce holiday dates list resources ignore. Feature relevant products in email newsletters and social posts throughout the month.
| Month | Key Marketing Themes |
|---|---|
| January | Veganuary, Dry January, New Year Fitness Rush, Organization Season |
| February | American Heart Month, Black History Month, Wedding Season Preview |
| March | Women's History Month, National Craft Month, National Nutrition Month |
| April | National Pet Month (USA), Stress Awareness, Garden Month, Earth Month |
| May | Graduation Season, Mental Health Awareness, National BBQ Month (USA) |
| June | Pride Month, Men's Health Month, Wedding Season Peak |
| July | Summer Sales Season Peak, National Ice Cream Month (USA) |
| August | Back-to-School Shopping (VERY HIGH), National Wellness Month, Summer Clearance |
| September | Fall Fashion Launch, Self-Improvement Month, Back-to-School Final Push |
| October | Breast Cancer Awareness, Cozy Season / Fall Products, Pre-Holiday Shopping |
| November | Movember, Holiday Shopping Season Begins (HIGHEST intensity) |
| December | Holiday Shopping Season (HIGHEST), Advent Calendar Season |
Monthly themes are underused goldmines in most shopify seasonal marketing dates strategies. Veganuary and Dry January in the UK drive significant product demand throughout January — not just on a single day. Wedding Season from May through June creates a sustained gifting opportunity. Cozy Season in October sets the emotional stage for Q4 purchasing. Add these themes alongside the date-specific events on your ecommerce holiday calendar for maximum coverage.
December Shipping Deadlines
Shipping deadlines during December create more urgency than any discount you can offer. "Order by December 17 for guaranteed Christmas delivery" converts browsers who would otherwise wait. Add these dates to your shopify campaign calendar and switch your countdown timers from "sale ends" to "last day for standard shipping" during the final two weeks.
| Shipping Service | USA Deadline | UK Deadline |
|---|---|---|
| Standard / Ground / 2nd Class | Dec 15–17 | Dec 18 |
| 3-Day / 1st Class | Dec 18–19 | Dec 20 |
| Express / 2-Day | Dec 21–22 | — |
| Overnight / Special Delivery | Dec 23 | Dec 23 |
| Digital Products / Gift Cards | Dec 24 | Dec 24 |
Important: Shipping deadlines vary by carrier and are announced annually. Confirm exact cutoff dates with USPS, UPS, FedEx, and Royal Mail each November. The dates above are approximate based on typical carrier schedules. Build a 1-day safety buffer into your published deadlines.
Key Insight: After each standard shipping deadline passes, switch your messaging to the next available option. "Standard shipping has closed — order by Dec 21 for Express delivery, or choose a digital gift card for instant delivery." Growth Suite's genuine countdown timers can reflect these shifting deadlines with days-hours-minutes precision.
How to Use This Calendar Strategically
Having a complete ecommerce holiday calendar is only useful if you act on it. Here is the monthly rhythm that turns this shopify campaign calendar from a reference page into a revenue system — a proper holiday marketing schedule online store owners can follow year-round.
The Monthly Check-In Process
On the first working day of every month, open this ecommerce holiday calendar and scan the next 60 days. Identify every Tier 1 and Tier 2 event in that window. If preparation has not started for any of them, begin immediately — you are likely already behind your competitors. This is the core habit that separates proactive shopify seasonal marketing dates planning from reactive scrambling.
For Tier 3 events, check whether they match your product catalog. A jewelry store has no reason to campaign for Back to School. A pet store has every reason to campaign for National Dog Day. Relevance beats frequency every time.
Tier 4 events are email and social media hooks. They do not need campaigns, budgets, or discounts. A themed email subject line ("Happy National Coffee Day — here are our 5 best mugs") costs nothing and keeps your brand visible between major campaigns.
Choosing Your Annual Campaign Lineup
Most stores should limit discount-based campaigns to 6–8 per year. Running more creates offer fatigue where customers learn to wait for the next sale instead of buying at full price. Use this online store marketing calendar to select your annual shopify campaign calendar lineup:
- Pick 2–3 anchor events from Tier 1 and Tier 2 that align with your products. These get full three-phase campaign treatment.
- Add 3–5 Tier 3 events relevant to your catalog. These get single focused campaigns with one campaign type.
- Schedule quiet periods between campaigns. Back-to-back discounts train customers to never buy at full price.
- Use Tier 4 events for engagement only. Themed emails, social posts, curated collections — no discounts needed.
Not every date on this ecommerce promotional calendar USA UK is for every store. The strategic value is in knowing the full landscape so you can choose deliberately rather than reactively.
Tip: Track which holidays actually drove ROI for your specific store. After each campaign, run a post-campaign retrospective. Feed those results back into next year's ecommerce holiday calendar selection. Data beats assumptions — the holidays that matter for your online store marketing calendar may not match the ones you expected.
USA vs UK: Key Calendar Differences
If you sell in both the USA and UK, these are the dates that cause the most confusion on your holiday marketing schedule online store plan. Understanding these differences is critical for any ecommerce promotional calendar USA UK strategy. Many sellers using a single shopify seasonal marketing dates plan for both markets miss these entirely.
| Event | USA | UK | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mother's Day | May (2nd Sunday) | March (Mothering Sunday) | Run two separate gift campaigns 8 weeks apart |
| Boxing Day | Not observed | Dec 26 — comparable to Black Friday | UK stores need a separate Boxing Day campaign |
| Bank Holidays | Not applicable | May (x2), Aug — strong shopping weekends | UK stores: treat as mini sale weekends |
| Thanksgiving | Nov (4th Thursday) | Not observed | Black Friday still applies to UK, but no Thanksgiving |
| January Sales | Moderate | One of biggest shopping periods of the year | UK stores: plan January sales as a major event |
| Pancake Day | Not observed | Major grocery/cookware day (Shrove Tuesday) | UK food/cookware stores: do not underestimate this |
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Muhammed Tüfekyapan
Founder of Growth Suite
Muhammed Tüfekyapan is a growth marketing expert and the founder of Growth Suite, an AI-powered Shopify app trusted by over 300 stores across 40+ countries. With a career in data-driven e-commerce optimization that began in 2012, he has established himself as a leading authority in the field.
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