The Most Important E-Commerce Holidays 2024
A new year means new marketing opportunities for e-commerce businesses! You’re ready to hit the ground running and make this the most profitable year yet but you’re still not certain of this years marketing holidays?
No celebration is too big or too small for retail and e-commerce. We’re celebrating friends and family (Mother’s Day, International Friend Day), four-legged friends (International Dog Day and Cat Day) to major events like Black Friday and more.
For 2024, Wordans has curated a list of the essential ecommerce holidays so that you won’t miss a single one! Some of the these days are specific to certain markets only, which we have highlighted below. It’s important to weigh up which of these holidays will be beneficial to you.
Key E-Commerce Holidays in Q1
January 
New Year's Day, January 01
A day of symbolism for many: turning over a new leaf; shedding your old skin and stepping into 2024 bright, shiny and a newer model of the “old you”.
The week before New Year’s Day is perfect time to pitch how your product will improve and kickstart their 2024! Consider using countdowns, New Year’s/ January Sales and resolution themed campaigns to give some inspiration.
However, if New Year’s resolutions are fitness orientated, they tend to only last 3.74 months, making the window of opportunity for marketing events slim.
National Return's Day, January 08
National Returns Day is one for your team to highlight in the e-commerce holiday calendar.
Award-winning performances are witness every year upon opening presents. Retail owner or not, we’ve all been there – dig deep and bring forth an Oscar worth yproduction when you see the socks that you’ve received, yet again, from your extended mom’s great aunt twice removed (or was is three?), Gertrude.
National Returns Day falls on the Monday after New Year’s Day. This namesake is due to the fact that this day in particular has become the most popular for returning unwanted Christmas gifts back to stores. For both online and brick and mortar stores, this day is not known to bring an influx of sales.
Blue Monday, January 15
Purely a PR ploy or rooted in scientific findings? Either way since 2005, the third Monday of January is notorious for being the saddest day of the year.
If Wednesday is hump day, Blue Monday truly is slump day. Wracked with guilt from abandoning resolutions too early, a sense of general ennui due to gloomy weather and overstretching a Christmas budget once again are just some of reasons why this day has been granted the title.
As marketers or retail owners, Blue Monday provides you with the opportunity to band around your costumers and give them that necessary boost. Be a beacon of cheer; encourage loyal consumers to keep aiming for their health goals with a sale on fitness wear or give them the seretonin boost that only a bargain or coupon code can bring.
Get To Know Your Customer Day, January 18
Hopefully, you have a baseline knowledge of your customers at this point. And thanks to Get To Know Your Customers Day taking place on the third Thursday of every quarter, you delve deeper into customer insights each time! Take to social media and carry out a Q&A, host polls where they get to weigh in on some of their favourite or least favourite products.
Incentivize customers to participate by offering a discount code or % off their next purchase.
Don’t forget to thank your customers with a personalized email or comment and show recognition for their ongoing support!
Get to Know Your Customers Days 2024:
● 18th January
● 18th April
● 18th July
● 17th October
Data Protection Day, January 28
Observed annually on the 28th of January since 2006, Data Protection Day aims to empower online users about their rights and inform individuals how to safeguard their data in an increasingly connected world.
Educational content is king during this date as you can take this event to heighten the importance of data protection such as infographics or whitepapers. While Data Protection Day should take precedence on a daily basis, take this opportunity to outline the security measures that your ecommerce store employs to ensure user’s safety.
February 
The Rugby 6 Nations, February 02 (UK/IE/ES/FR/IT)
For fans of rugby, the 6 Nations is an event turned e-commerce holiday. Spanning seven weeks, the Rugby 6 Nations is an ideal time for customers to show their unwavering support for their teams. Consider creating custom designs highlighting team colours and player names!
Super Bowl Sunday, February 12
Thanks to it’s growing importance, Superbowl Sunday has become to be some what of an unofficial holiday, bringing together family and friends. The 2023 edition recorded viewership of over 115 million people, showing that this is an event not to be missed! Consumer-related spending amounted to 16.5 billion over Superbowl Weekend in 2023, showing just how significant this sporting feature is.
Create personalized team apparel such as t-shirts, hats and scarves so football fans can show support at their Super Bowl Party. Share their enthusiasm with quizzes and interactive polls!
Valentine's Day, February 14
Take a leaf from Cupid’s page this year and hit the right target; your audience that is. A marketing holiday focused on love, this ecommerce holiday should celebrate it in all its forms: relationships, dreaded situationships and even friendships.
For online retailers, how about personalized matching hoodies for couples? Gifts with thought are often times the most memorable, making customization a shoe-in for the holiday.
Valentine’s day is the perfect date to offer coupon codes or create a gift-guide for when your customers are stumped at the prospect of present-giving this year.
Random Act of Kindness Day, February 17
A day to let altruism reign, Random Act of Kindness Day can promote positive deeds.
Take this moment to see what local organizations in your community could benefit from external aid. Consider collaborating with for a foundation close to your business’ heart or offer surplus clothes or accessories stock to a local shelter.
Encourage customers to share their positive deeds on social media and offer a discount code for those that do.
March 
International Women’s Day, March 08
The global theme for International Women’s Day in 2024 is Inspire Inclusion.
Take this day to celebrate female member’s in your organization. Share their stories and words through an email campaign that raises awareness about the topic; impart how consumers can resonate with the brands actions and how your ecommerce and retail business is committed to equality.
Mother’s Day, March 10 (UK/IE)
Mother’s Day should be celebrated 365 days a year. However, encourage customers to splurge a little and give extra thanks to the special women in their life!
Create a Mother’s Day mailing campaign and offer discounts on coveted gifts such as customized products, jewellery and accessories.
St Patrick’s Day, March 17
A personal favourite of mine, this day celebrates the patron saint of Ireland. Previously a day grounded in religious significance, St. Patrick’s Day has since become a day to celebrate the Emerald Isle. Create personalized prints that would make Saint Patrick green envy in honor of the occasion! Offer a discount on green items and accessories that can be worn to a parade.
Are your customers searching for the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow? Send it right to their inbox with a fun and themed email campaign and promotion!
Easter, March 31
Get ready to create your own Easter Marketing Extravaganza! For retailers, this is the perfect opportunity to craft promotional bundles, and showcase personalized easter designs. According to research carried out the National Retail Federation, accrued spending by consumers during the Easter season reached 24 billion, with 53% of shoppers planning to purchase new clothing.
Boost customer engagement with virtual easter egg hunts online to make it an egg-ceptional experience!
Key E-Commerce Holidays in Q2
April 
Easter Monday and April Fools Day, April 01
Speculated to have begun in the 16th century, the 1st of April has become a day synonymous with keeping kept on our toes!
April Fools is the perfect opportunity for some levity and sharing some light-hearted moments with your consumers allows the brand’s personality to shine through.
Focus on the element of surprise for this marketing holiday and do one thing so incredulous that it’s believable. What’s one thing your target audience wouldn’t expect? Promote a fake product like Pringles or Goolge Tulip!
Sibling Day, April 11
Although it may seem in the inherent job description of siblings to annoy us, today is day to honour that relationship. As is done on any other celebration, take this moment to shower them with a gift or with an invitation for a day of making memories.
Create classic and heartwarming gifts such as “ Brother of the Year!” or a “Sister Sister” matching combo.
Earth Day, April 22
Earth day is a day with it’s primary goal being to raise awareness of and demonstrate support for environmental issues. Businesses that do not align with eco-friendly practices or do not campaign for environmental protection should abstain from this date.
May 
Star Wars Day, May 04
May the Fourth be with you!
Join the international Star Wars fandom in celebrating this cult-classic day. Be the “Chosen One” among consumers this May 4th with designs featuring the beloved Yoda, Grogu, Dart Vader and more
Memorial Day, May 27 (US Only)
Memorial Day is a federal holiday dedciated to honouring those that have have served their country. Celebrate ths marketing holiday by connecting with your audience on social media or team up with an organization to raise funds for veterans.
June 
National Best Friend Day, June 08
A bond with a best friend is one that is not constricted by the binds of distance or time. Since 1935, the U.S. Congress has dedicated this day to our chosen family! National Best Friend is the perfect excuse to create 2 for 1 offers, or matching prints and designs, fit for two peas in a pod
Father’s Day, June 16 (UK/US/IE/CA)
Similar to Mother’s Day, Father’s Day falls on different dates, according to your chosen market. Take advantage of this date to produce a curated gift-guide or encourage your followers to share their favourite anecdotes via social media that could be included in a newsletter segment.
Summer Solstice, June 20
Customers located in the Northern Hemisphere will be gearing up for sunny skies and promotions as hot as the weather! Enhance the eternal summer feeling by promoting limited edition seasonal collections.
Key E-Commerce Holidays in Q3
July 
Back to School (July - September)
Although throngs of students grace the halls in the first weeks of September to start the semester anew, many get-ahead of the back-to-school rush by promoting from July onwards. Always a lucrative period, take this opportunity to promote from gadgets, stationary, school uniforms and backpacks. Create fun education-themed assets and create some quizzes or launch a gamified back-to-school campaign.
The Summer Olympics, July 26
Eagerly awaited every four years, the Summer Olympics can be a major e-commerce holiday!
Taking place in Paris in 2024, the Olympics are a time to support your nation. Promote sports apparel and accessories to celebrate this show of athletic excellence. And to help your customers further show their support, design pieces with team colors and flags.
International Day of Friendship, July 30
Where would we be without our friends for laughter and support through the good times and the bad? Even if friends are spread across the world, this bond transcends distance. Encourage heartfelt social media posts and promote custom best friend t-shirts that are perfect for gifting!
August 
International Cat Day, August 08
The cat’s out the bag- August 8th is International Cat Day in 2024! And if you’re looking for the purrrrfect way to pay homage to these furry friends, create an attractive email campaign to promote special deals on pet products. Share previously-made personalized t-shirts ordered by cat lovers to show people what they need get their claws on!
Son and Daughter Day, August 11
Similar to Mother’s and Father’s Day, Son and Daughter Day should be everyday. But where would the fun be in that? Encourage parent’s to order the perfect gift from your store to express their love and gratitude for their children.
International Dog Day, August 26
A dog is a man’s best friend!
Craft your campaign around lovers of these faithful companions by higlighting pet products at a reduced price and creating eye-catching assets to mark the date.
So, if your customer has ever blamed their perfect pooch for eating their homework or used them as an excuse to skip out on an event, remind them to honour their dog on the 26th of August every year.
September 
Labor Day September, 02 (US/CA)
Labor Day is day which celebrates the continuous efforts and achievements of American workers and their ongoing contribution to the economy.
This federal holiday also signals the end of summer so consider a flash-sale to or creating coupon codes to show your thanks.
Oktoberfest, September 21 (DE/USA/UK)
The first Oktoberfest can be traced back Munich, Germany and has since been embraced by countries world-wide. Celebrated by more than 6 million people per year, this festival of beer and folk is a prime opportunity to promote the typical Oktoberfest costumes or customized t-shirts with clever slogans. Prost to savings anyone?
First Day of Fall, September 22
“Summer is officially over”, you hear customers sigh. So, why not cheer them up a bit? Begin teasing your first day of fall sale in August and increase momentum with countdowns and a variety of assets. The leaves will be falling, and so should your prices to signal the beginning of this season! This date is also a perfect time to start preparing and optimizing content for your winter campaign.
Key E-Commerce Holidays in Q4
October 
International Coffee Day, October 01
International Coffee Day is a day to celebrate the wonderful gift that is caffeine, which has the ability to make many of us personable before we’re ready! Even if coffee isn’t your main product, take advantage of this day to promote personalized mugs or travel mugs and provide them with a coffee-boost on the go.
Mean Girls Day, October 03
“On Wednesdays, we wear pink.” And your customers should too!
The iconic cult classic that is Mean Girls has been granted its own day and is one to add to the calendar for social media holidays. Remember this day by promoting pink products and create customised shirts with unforgettable phrases from the movie. Make this day “So Fetch” for your e-commerce business.
World Smile Day, October 04
World Smile Day is witnessed on the first Friday of October annually, spreading the message of “Do An Act of Kindness For The Day”. The World Smile Corporation was founded in 1999 by Harvey Ball, raising money for a non-profit charitable organization which supports different causes for children.
Consider a Pay-It-Forward campaign on social media and encourage customers to share their good deeds.
World Teacher's Day, Ocober 05
On World Teacher’s Day, take the time to show appreciation to the educators in your customers lives. Promote products such as mugs to help them get through the day, personalized notebooks or relaxation items after a long day of work.
World Mental Health Day, October 10
Since 1992, the World Federdation for Mental Health and the World Health Organization have dedicated the 10th October to raising awareness of mental health.
Promote items that have all made us feel a bit better when we’ve needed it the most such as loungewear, sportswear or journaling items. Take this opportunity to spotlight causes and awareness campaigns that you support and encourage customers to take part in the conversation.
Canadian Thanksgiving, October 14
Canadian Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October and is the perfect occasion to show your appreciation for your loyal customers. If your ecommerce retail store doesn’t stock the typical Thanksgiving essentials, promote items that forge a sense of togetherness such as customizable t-shirts for family reunions!
Boss' Day, October 16
Whichever camp you land on for Boss’ Day on October the 16th, this day aims to encourage employees to show their appreciation for their boss. Office essentials such as stationary and customizable mugs never fail. And if you’re a freelancer, this is your day to treat yourself; you’re your own boss!.
Halloween, October 31
The Halloween season is the time to unleash your creativity! Create a trick-or-treat campaign like we have done here and promote spooktacular designs for DIY halloween costumes.
November 
Día De Los Muertos, November 02
Día de los Muertos holds much more cultural significance than La Calavera Catrina make-up. A day to welcome back and celebrate deceased family members, Dia De Los Muertos/Day of The Dead honors the lives of loved-ones. Create educational content that discusses and informs on the traditions of this holiday!
Thanksgiving Day, November 28 (US)
Thanksgiving Day officially begins the shopping frenzy known as the Big Five. Share your customer’s stories of gratitude on social media and promote products for all of the family to enjoy together on this day.
Black Friday, November 29
The prices get lower while the competition gets higher every year. Black Friday is one of the most important retail dates of the year and it’s imporant to generate buzz before the big day.
Place a countdown to your homepage to remind customers the date of our Black Friday sale and ensure that sufficient stock and resources are prepared.The sooner you start promoting, the better!
Small Business Saturday, November 30
If you are a small business that might not necessarily benefit from competing with larger names on Black Friday, Small Business Saturday is for you! Since its inception in 2010, this day has been dedicated to drawing focus to smaller and local businesses.
If you’re a small business, take the day to share the story of your business and core values.
December
Cyber Monday, December 02
Cyber Monday has become the biggest online shopping event, with some preferring to do their spending on this date rather than Black Friday. Flashsales and online exclusive deals are on the menu for Cyber Monday!
Green Monday, December 09
Observed on the second Monday of every Decemeber, Green Monday has become has one of retail’s busiest and most profitable days. With Christmas fast approaching, people take advantage of online sales to avoid any last-minute gift buying! For many e-commerce stores, the 9th of December is the cut-off date that will guarantee the arrival of presents before the 25th.
Take advantage of this building sense of urgency and remind customers of the cut-off date to avoid any issues!
Winter Solstice, December 21
The official beginning of Winter makes everything all the more festive!
Leverage this date to highlight Winter essentials and create Winter-themed bundles that will see your customers through the cold months ahead.
Christmas Eve, December 24
Christmas Eve is the perfect time to target last-minute shoppers who will need to look at your gift-guides for some inspiration! And while Christmas has become a commercialized date, take some time to focus your Yuletide marketing efforts on some familiar traditions for that extra bit of magic.
Christmas Day, December 25
Christmas Day is a day to celebrate with loved ones so spread heart-warming well wishes to your customers!
Boxing Day/ St.Stephen's Day, Decmeber 26
On Boxing Day/ St.Stephen’s Day, focus your efforts on post-Christmas sales and discounts. This date is the perfect opportunity to highlight stock that you wish to clear out before the new year.
New Year's Eve, December 31
It’s the end of the year and what a year it’s been!
Both a time for reflection and celebration, New Year’s Eve closes the end of this chapter perfectly. Highlight your top-selling products for some last minute deals and promote party accessories to add to the festivities. And of course, once New Year’s Day comes around, a campaign surrounding New Year’s Resolutions can begin. Ready to do it all again in 2025?
Take a look at this E-Commerce Holiday planner throughout the year whenever you’re in need of some need of inspiration for your 2024 marketing campaigns!
