5 Essential Marketing Calendars for 2021 Planning a content and communications strategy in advance can often lead to writers block. Which is why we’ve put together 5 calendars to help inspire you throughout the year. We take a deep dive into the important dates for Marketers and across 4 main industries Retail : Education : Travel : Publishing We hope some of these dates give you inspiration for ways in which to connect with your audiences throughout the year. Key dates for marketers in 2021 For marketers, having a calendar full of key promotional dates, events, and holidays is essential. Because the most successful marketers will be planning their campaigns and promotions well in advance. Ensuring they can schedule a smooth year ahead, and hit those targets. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive month on month marketing calendar to help you navigate the industry in 2021. Key dates for January 1st January – New Year’s Day 1st – 31st January – Dry January 1st – 31st January – Ginuary 1st – 31st January – Veganuary 6th January – National Shortbread Day 12th – 13th January – SEJ eSummit Virtual Conference 12th – 21st January – NRF 2021: Chapter One Virtual 18th January – Blue Monday 20th January – National Cheese Lovers Day (U.S) 20th – 21st January – Digital Food & Beverage Virtual Event 25th January – Burns Night 26th January – Australia Day 27th January – Chocolate Cake Day 27th January – Digital Summit GO! 27th – 29th January – NamesCon Online 27th – 28th January – Mailcon Virtual Experience 2021 28th January – Social Media in Beauty Day 28th – 29th January – eTail Europe Virtual Event Key dates for February 1st – 28th February – LGBT History Month 5th February – World Nutella Day 7th February – Yorkshire Pudding Day 9th – 10th February – Digital Food & Beverage Connect 10th – 11th February – MGS Global Virtual Conference 3.0 11th February – Digiday: Amazon 201 12th February – Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox) 14th February – Valentine’s Day 16th February – Pancake Day 16th February – Shrove Tuesday 17th February – Ash Wednesday 17th February – Influencer Marketing Conference 20th February – Love Your Pet Day 23rd – 25th February – eTail Virtual Summit & Expo 23rd – 24th February – eTail Connect Spring 24th – 25th February – B2B Online 24th – 25th February – Digital Marketing for Financial Services 24th – 26th February – Digital Summit At Home: Content & Social 24th – 26th February – Digiday: Publishing Summit Worldwide 24th – 26th February – The MarTech Summit: Virtual APAC 25th – 26th February – Social Media Strategies Summit Key dates for March 1st March – St David’s Day 1st – 5th March – Podfest Global Summit 1st – 7th March – British Pie Week 2nd – 3rd March – DX3 Canada 4th March – World Book Day 4th – 5th March – Digital Analytics Hub: Virtual 8th March – International Women’s Day 9th – 11th March – eTail Germany 10th – 12th March – Digiday Media Buying Summit Live 10th – 12th March – GDS Digital Marketing Summit: North America 14th March – Mother’s Day 16th – 18th March – Digital Travel MEA 17th March – St Patrick’s Day 17th – 18th March – IRX & eDX 20th March – First Day of Spring 24th – 25th March – #DMWF North America 24th – 26th March – Digiday Glossy Modern Commerce Forum Live 25th March – International Waffle Day 25th – 26th March – BrightonSEO 25th March – The MarTech Summit: Virtual Europe 28th March – BST starts 28th – 29th March – Holi 29th – 31st March – Digital Summit At Home: SMB 29th – 31st March – Retail Global Key dates for April 1st April – April Fool’s Day 2nd April – eCOM360 2nd April – Good Friday 4th April – Easter Sunday 4th April – International Carrot Day 5th April – Easter Monday 6th – 8th April – Content 360 Week: Singapore) 7th – 8th April – MarketingProfs B2B Forum 10th April – Siblings Day 11th April – National Pet Day 12th – 23rd April – Digital City Festival 19th April – Bicycle Day 21st April – National Tea Day 21st – 23rd April – Digiday Modern Retail Summit Live 22nd April – Earth Day 23rd April – St George’s Day 26th – 27th April – SearchLove New York 27th – 28th April – Adobe Summit 27th – 28th April – Savant eCommerce Stockholm 27th – 29th April – Content Marketing Conference 28th – 29th April – EiQ: The Intelligent Email Gathering Key dates for May 3rd May – May Day 4th May – Star Wars Day 5th – 7th May – Confab Content 5th – 7th May – ANA Email Evolution Conference 11th May – Advanced Email Conference 11th May – National Eat What You Want Day 11th – 12th May – C3 (Conductor) 11th – 13th May – PI LIVE Global 12th – 13th May – Social Media for Government 13th May – World Cocktail Day 16th May – International Day of Light 17th May – World Baking Day 17th – 18th May – Interact 21 17th – 19th May – Digiday Programmatic Marketing Summit Live 17th – 19th May – Digiday Programmatic Marketing Summit Live 17th – 19th May – iMedia Online Retail Summit: New Zealand 18th May – Pharmaceutical Social Media Conference 18th – 19th May – SMX London 18th – 19th May – Savant eCommerce Berlin 18th – 19th May – eTail Asia Virtual Summit 20th May – World Bee Day 25th – 29th May – Chelsea Flower Show 27th May – E-Commerce Berlin Expo 29th May – National Biscuit Day 30th May – 13th June – National BBQ Week 31st May – Spring Bank Holiday Key dates for June 1st June – World Milk Day 2nd – 3rd June – HeroConf: Austin 2nd – 3rd June – #DMWF Global 2021 3rd June – National Fish and Chip Day 4th – 6th June – Download Festival 6th – 8th June – NRF2021: Chapter Two 6th – 9th June – iMedia Online Retail Summit: Pure Play 7th – 9th June – B2B Marketing Exchange 9th – 11th June – Advanced Search Summit 9th – 11th June – Digiday: Amazon Strategies Virtual Forum 10th – 12th June – Digital Elite Camp 10th – 13th June – PodFest 2021 12th June – World Gin Day 12th June – International Falafel Day 12th June – 12th July – Men’s Euros 2021 15th June – National Beer Day (UK) 15th – 16th June – Savant eCommerce: London 15th – 17th June – Web a Quebec 21 18th June – International Sushi Day 18th June – MNSearch Summit 20th June – Father’s Day 21st June – Summer Solstice 22nd – 23rd June – Grow New York 22nd – 23rd June – The MarTech Summit: Singapore 23rd – 27th June – Glastonbury Festival (cancelled) 28th June – 11th July – Wimbledon Championship dates 30th June – 3rd July – London Affiliate Conference Key dates for July 1st – 31st July – National Ice Cream Month: U.S 4th July – American Independence Day 7th July – World Chocolate day 7th – 8th July – Affiliate World Europe Affiliate 12th – 14th July – MozCon Virtual 15th – 17th July – NamesCon Europe 17th July – World Emoji Day 19th July – Eid al-Adha begins 19th – 21st July – ANA Digital and Social Media Conference 22nd July – National Hot Dog Day: U.S Key dates for August 3rd – 6th August – Podcast Movement 5th – 6th August – Engage Conference 2021 6th August – International Beer Day 16th August – National Rum Day 18th – 19th August – #DMWF Asia 2021 18th – 19th August – The MarTech Summit: Hong Kong 26th August – National Burger Day 27th August – Utah DMC Digital Marketing Conference 27th – 29th August – Reading Festival 29th – 30th August – Notting Hill Carnival 30th August – Summer Bank Holiday Key dates for September 1st – 30th September – Sourdough September 2nd September – Growth Marketing Summit 6th – 7th September – DeepSEO Conference 7th September – World Salami Day 8th – 10th September – Ragan’s Social Media Conference 9th – 11th September – Indie Pod Con 7 12th September – National Chocolate Milkshake Day 13th – 15th September – Traffic & Conversion Summit 14th – 15th September – Savant eCommerce Amsterdam 16th September – National Guacamole Day: U.S 18th September – National Cheeseburger Day: U.S 20th – 22nd September – Localogy 2021 22nd September – White Chocolate Day: U.S 22nd – 23rd September – #DMWF North America West 22nd – 25th September – FinCon 2021 25th September – 1st October – iGB Affiliate Amsterdam Key dates for October 1st – 21st October – Black History Month 1st October – International Coffee Day 1st October – World Vegetarian Day 4th October – National Taco Day (U.S) 5th – 6th October – Savant eCommerce Barcelona 2021 9th October – International Beer and Pizza Day 10th October – World Mental Health Day 10th October – World Porridge Day 15th – 16th October – ADworld Experience 16th October – World Food Day 19th – 20th October – PI LIVE London 20th – 21st October – The MarTech Summit: Bangkok 22nd October – #MarTechFest Global 25th October – World Pasta Day 25th – 27th October – iMedia Programmatic & Digital Ad Summit: Australia 31st October – Halloween Key dates for November 1st – 30th November – Movember 1st – 4th November – Web Summit 1st November – World Vegan Day 5th November – Guy Fawkes Night 7th – 8th November – DMIEXPO: Digital & Affiliate Conference 11th November – Remembrance Day 13th – 15th November – Youpreneur Summit Digital London 14th November – Remembrance Sunday 17th – 18th November – The MarTech Summit: London 23rd – 24th November – #DMWF Europe 2021 Key dates for December 7th – 8th December – MediaPost Email Insider Summit 7th – 9th December – ANA Influencer Marketing Virtual Conference 14th December – Christmas Jumper Day 14th – 15th December – MediaPost Search & Performance Insider Summit 24th December – Christmas Eve 25th December – Christmas day 26th December – Boxing Day Key dates for retail marketers in 2021 Retail has faced significant challenges in 2020. From high street closures and lockdown measures. To surges in online shopping and increased demand for home delivery. This means that retail marketers need to plan ahead as much as possible to help their 2021 run smoothly. For retail marketers, having a calendar full of key promotional dates, events, and holidays is essential to achieving this. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive month on month retail marketing calendar to help marketers navigate the industry in 2021. Key retail dates for January 1st January – New Year’s Day 1st – 31st January – Dry January 1st – 31st January – Ginuary 1st – 31st January – Veganuary 6th January – National Shortbread Day 10th – 12th January – S/S Top Drawer: U.K 12th – 14th, 19th, 21st – 22nd January – Retail’s Big Show (Virtual) 17th – 19th – Giving and Living Trade Show: U.K 18th January – Blue Monday 19th January – International Popcorn Day 19th – 21st – The Toy Fair: U.K 25th January – Burns Night 26th January – Australia Day 27th January – Chocolate Cake Day Key retail dates for February 1st – 28th February – Black History Month 1st – 28th February – LGBT History Month 5th February – World Nutella Day 7th February – Yorkshire Pudding Day 7th – 9th February – Moda: U.K 7th – 11th February – Spring Fair: U.K 9th February – National Pizza Day 12th February – Chinese New Year (Year of the Ox) 14th February – Valentine’s Day 14th February – BAFTAs 14th – 15th February – PATS pets event: U.K 14th – 16th February – Pure London: U.K 16th February – Pancake Day 16th February – Shrove Tuesday 17th February – Ash Wednesday 20th February – Love Your Pet Day Key retail dates for March 1st March – St David’s Day 4th March – World Book Day 8th March – International Women’s Day 14th March – Mother’s Day 17th March – St Patrick’s Day 17th – 18th March – IRX and eDX: U.K 20th March – First Day of Spring 25th March – International Waffle Day 28th March – BST starts Key retail dates for April 1st April – April Fool’s Day 2nd April – Good Friday 4th April – Easter Sunday 5th April – Easter Monday 10th April – Siblings Day 11th April – National Pet Day 14th – 15th April – Retail Week Live: U.K 19th April – Bicycle Day 21st April – National Tea Day 22nd April – Earth Day 23rd April – St George’s Day TBC – Retail Expo: U.K Key retail dates for May 3rd May – May Day 4th May – Star Wars Day 11th May – National Eat What You Want Day 13th May – World Cocktail Day 16th May – International Day of Light 17th May – World Baking Day 20th May – World Bee Day 25th – 29th May – Chelsea Flower Show 29th May – National Biscuit Day 31st May – Spring Bank Holiday Key retail dates for June 1st June – Beginning of Summer 1st June – Global Day of Parents 1st June – 30th – Pride Month 12th June – World Gin Day 14th – 16th June – ShopTalk Europe: U.K 15th June – National Beer Day: U.K 20th June – Father’s Day 21st June – International Day of Yoga 21st June – Summer Solstice 23rd – 27th June – Glastonbury Festival 24th June – Midsummer’s Day 28th June – 11th July – Wimbledon Championship dates Key retail dates for July 1st – 31st July – Independent Retailer Month: U.K 4th – 5th July – American Independence Day 7th July – World Chocolate Day 17th July – World Emoji Day 18th – 21st July – Home and Gift (UK) 22nd July – School Holidays (differs per school) 31st July – National Avocado Day Key retail dates for August 2nd August – Summer Bank Holiday 6th August – International Beer Day 8th August – International Cat Day 9th August – Book Lovers Day 19th August – World Photo Day 26th August – National Dog Day 28th August – National Burger Day 29th – 30th August – Notting Hill Carnival 31st August – Summer Bank Holiday Key retail dates for September 5th September – Back to School (differs per school) 5th – 8th September – Autumn Fair: U.K 6th September – Read a Book Day 12th September – National Chocolate Milkshake Day 14th – 16th September – Garden, Leisure, Equipment Exhibition (GLEE UK) 16th September – World Guacamole Day 27th September – World Tourism Day Key retail dates for October 1st – 31st October – Black History Month: U.K 1st – 31st October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month 1st – 31st October – Go Sober for October (Stoptober) 1st October – International Coffee Day 1st October – World Vegetarian Day 10th October – World Mental Health Day 16th October – World Food Day 22nd October – National Nut Day 25th October – World Pasta Day 26th October – National Pumpkin Day 29th October – National Cat Day 31st October – Halloween 31st October – BST ends Key retail dates for November 1st – 30th November – Movember (Men’s Health Awareness Month) 1st November – World Vegan Day 5th November – Guy Fawkes Night 11th November – Remembrance Day 14th November – Remembrance Sunday 26th November – Black Friday 29th – November – Cyber Monday 30th November – St Andrew’s Day Key retail dates for December 4th December – National Cookie Day 14th December – Christmas Jumper Day 21st December – Winter Solstice 25th December – Christmas Day 26th December – Boxing Day 28th December – Bank Holiday 31st December – New Year’s Eve Key dates for education marketers in 2021 The education industry has faced significant challenges in 2020. From school closures and staff shortages. To online learning and changing exam schedules. This means that education marketers need to plan ahead as much as possible to help their 2021 run smoothly. For education marketers, having a calendar full of key promotional dates, events, and holidays is essential to achieving this. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive month on month education marketing calendar to help marketers navigate the industry in 2021. All TBC – Higher education marketing conference Key education dates for January 1st January – New Year’s Day 4th January – Beginning of Spring Term 4th January – Universities beginning of Spring Term (may vary) 24th January – International Education Day 27th January – Degree apprenticeships 2021 conference Key education dates for February 1st – 5th February – Transnational education conference 3rd – 4th February – The role of universities in tackling the climate emergency 8th February – 8 weeks until end of the Financial Year 15th February – Spring half term week: England, Wales and Northern Ireland 24th February – Fair admissions conference Key education dates for March 29th March – Easter break: U.K Key education dates for April 2nd April – Good Friday 5th April – Easter Monday 6th April – New Financial Year for schools 13th April – Start of Summer Term: England and Wales 13th – 14th April – International higher education forum 2021 19th April – Start of Summer Term: Scotland and Northern Ireland 19th April – Universities beginning of Summer term (may vary) Key education dates for May 3rd May – Early May Bank Holiday 31st May – Spring Bank Holiday 31st May – Half term week: England, Wales and Northern Ireland Key education dates for June 7th June – Last half term of academic year 9th June – The Higher and Further Education Marketing and Communications Event 28th June – Summer break closure : Scotland Key education dates for July 8th July – Marketing to Schools Summit 19th July – Summer break closure: England, Wales and Northern Ireland Key education dates for August 12th August – A level results day 19th August – GCSE results day 16th August – Start of new Academic Year: Scotland 30th August – Summer Bank Holiday 30th August – 6th September – Start of new Academic Year: England, Wales and Northern Ireland Key education dates for September Various – Universities beginning academic year 1st September – Start of Autumn term 13th September – University Freshers Week (may vary) Key education dates for October 25th – 29th October – Half term week Key education dates for December 20th December – Christmas break begins (may vary) Key dates for travel marketers in 2021 The travel industry has faced significant challenges in 2020. Lockdown measures, travel restrictions, and continuously changing policy has meant that travel marketers have had to think on their feet. This means that travel marketers need to plan ahead as much as possible to help their 2021 run smoothly. For travel marketers, having a calendar full of key promotional dates, events, and holidays is essential to achieving this. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive month on month travel marketing calendar to help marketers navigate the industry in 2021. Key travel dates for January 1st January – New Year’s Day 1st – 3rd January – Dublin Caravan and Camping Show 1st – 3rd January – Belfast Caravan and Camping Show 16th – 17th January – Adventure Travel Show 17th – 21st January – Telegraph Holiday World Show Belfast 17th – 21st January – Travel & Leisure Expo Belfast 18th January – Business Travel Forum London 30th January – Destinations the Holiday & Travel Show Key travel dates for February 24th – 25th February – Travel Technology Europe 25th – 28th February – Caravan Camping & Motorhome Show (CCMHS) Key travel dates for March 2nd – 5th March – International Confex 17th March – Wow Plymouth Online 24th – 26th March – British Travel & Tourism Show 27th – 28th March – Grown-Up Travel Show Key travel dates for April 2nd April – Good Friday 5th April – Easter Monday 21st April – GO Travel Show 24th – 25th April – International Campervan Show Key travel dates for May 3rd May – Early May Bank Holiday 7th – 10th May – A Place in the Sun Live London 31st May – Spring Bank Holiday Key travel dates for August 30th August – Summer Bank Holiday Key travel dates for September 24th – 26th September – A Place in the Sun Live Birmingham Key travel dates for October 7th October – Group Leisure & Travel Show 9th – 10th October – The Wildlife & Safari Travel Show 23rd – 24th October – The National Snow Show Key travel dates for November TBC – London Travel Week 1st – 3rd November – World Travel Market London 1st – 3rd November – Travel Forward 4th – 7th November – The Luxury Travel Fair Key dates for publishing marketers in 2021 For publishing marketers, having a calendar full of key promotional dates, events, and holidays is essential. Because the most successful marketers will be planning their campaigns and promotions well in advance. Ensuring they can schedule a smooth year ahead, and hit those targets. That’s why we have put together a comprehensive month on month publishing calendar to help marketers navigate the industry in 2021. Key publishing dates for January 1st January – New Year’s Day 27th January – Readers’ Advisory Year in Review Key publishing dates for February TBC – Free Verse: The Poetry Book and Magazine Fair Key publishing dates for March 14th March – Peterborough book fair 19th March – Harrogate Premier Fair 26th March – Edinburgh Premier Book Fair Key publishing dates for April 2nd April – Good Friday 5th April – Easter Monday 10th April – Bath Book Fair Key publishing dates for May TBC – The man booker international prize 3rd May – Early May Bank Holiday 13th May – The British Book Awards 21st – 23rd May – Firsts, London’s Rare Book Fair 31st May – Spring Bank Holiday Key publishing dates for June 29th June – The London Book Fair (LBF) Key publishing dates for July 1st July – PODCOMMS 2021 3rd July – 6th July – MIX Amplified Publishing Key publishing dates for August 30th August – Summer Bank Holiday Key publishing dates for September 6th September – Read a Book Day 12th September – The September Remainder & Promotional Book Fair 2021 Key publishing dates for October 9th October – GetPublished SUMMIT Key publishing dates for December 4th December – London Christmas Book Fair 8th December – STM Week Digital Publishing