Your 2026 UK Social Media Calendar: Seize Every Content Opportunity

Social media planning is a must for brands, creators, and entrepreneurs going into 2026. As competition in the social sphere continues to grow, consistency is what will set your account apart and increase the effectiveness of your content. This is where following a roadmap will make the difference. No more scrambling for last-minute ideas; you can use this calendar to align your posts with major holidays, trending cultural moments, and quirky commemorative social media days that drive conversation and community.

This comprehensive guide runs through 12 months of opportunities, from major UK Bank Holidays and international celebrations to niche fun days perfect for sparking creative content. Some people don’t believe in organised fun, but we do here at Metricool, so let’s make 2026 your most organised year yet!

January 2026: Fresh Starts

January is about new beginnings and setting the tone. Beyond the obvious New Year’s Day content, focus on your audience’s resolutions and goals. The whole month is often branded as Dry January and Veganuary, offering excellent hooks for wellness, food, and lifestyle brands. Look out for National Cheese Lovers’ Day (20th January), a unique chance to share all of those cheese puns that constantly live rent-free in your head (it can’t be just me!). Towards the end of the month, the cultural spotlight shifts to Scotland with Burns Night (25th January), a great opportunity for food, drink, and cultural accounts. Strategically planning your first campaigns around these themes ensures your content lands with an audience ready for change.

Key January 2026 Social Media Calendar Days

February 2026: All About Love (People or food, you decide)

February is dominated by the romance and gifting frenzy of Valentine’s Day (14th February). Retailers and hospitality businesses should schedule their campaigns well in advance. However, don’t forget the niche but high-engagement days. The month kicks off with British Yorkshire Pudding Day (2nd February) and the fun National Pizza Day (February 9th). In 2026, Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day falls on 17th February, immediately followed by Ash Wednesday (18th February), marking the start of Lent, a significant period for Christian observances. Meanwhile, the Lunar calendar brings the vibrant Chinese New Year (17th February), which will be the Year of the Horse, offering fantastic visual content and cultural engagement opportunities.

Key February 2026 Social Media Calendar Days

March 2026: Heritage, Women, and Spring

March is a content-rich fountain for awareness and culture. Start with St. David’s Day (1st March) to connect with your Welsh audience. British Pie Week (2nd – 8th March) offers a delicious content opportunity. The biggest day for social impact is International Women’s Day (8th March), an essential fixture for celebrating global achievements and discussing equality. For the UK, Mother’s Day (15th March) is a crucial gifting and sentiment holiday, so plan your campaigns carefully to be both impactful and sensitive. Later in the month, you can celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (17th March) and the arrival of the new season with the First Day of Spring (20th March).

Key March 2026 Social Media Calendar Days

April 2026: For Health, Easter and St. George

April is a month of significant religious holidays and playful moments. The month kicks off with a lighthearted opportunity on April Fool’s Day (1st April). The major focus is the four-day Easter weekend, starting with Good Friday (3rd April) and concluding with Easter Monday (6th April). This is a prime time for family-focused content, promotions, and travel-related posts. Beyond chocolate eggs and hot cross buns, April includes World Health Day (7th April), a great moment to share wellness content. The end of the month focuses on English heritage with St. George’s Day (23rd April) and a push for environmental awareness on Earth Day (22nd April), which should inspire sustainability and nature-themed content.

Key April 2026 Social Media Calendar Days

May 2026: Bank Holidays and Blooming Campaigns

May is a gift for social media managers with two guaranteed long weekends, providing excellent opportunities for travel, retail, and lifestyle content. The Early May Bank Holiday falls on 4th May, which also happens to be Star Wars Day (“May the Fourth Be With You”), a brilliant crossover opportunity for creative posts. Later in the month, the Spring Bank Holiday (25th May) leads into summer plans. Look for fun food dates like Eat What You Want Day (11th May) and World Cocktail Day (13th May) for engaging, shareable content. The famous Chelsea Flower Show (18th – 23rd May) also provides stunning visual content inspiration.

Key May 2026 Social Media Calendar Days

June 2026: Pride and Picnics

June is dominated by Pride Month, a powerful campaign period for brands committed to inclusion and diversity. Campaigns should be well-thought-out and authentic, focusing on support for the LGBTQ+ community. As the weather warms, content naturally shifts outdoors, making International Picnic Day (18th June) and celebrating the Summer Solstice (21st June, the longest day of the year) ideal themes. Father’s Day (21st June) is another key retail and sentimental moment, requiring a distinct content strategy separate from Mother’s Day. Don’t forget World Social Media Day (30th June), where you can engage in industry conversations, share behind-the-scenes content, or highlight your team’s favourite platforms.

Key June 2026 Social Media Days

July 2026: Summer Fun and Relaxation

With the school holidays approaching, July marks the peak of summer content. The themes of travel, relaxation, and delicious treats should fill your social media calendar. Start with the light-hearted International Joke Day (1st July) and the universally popular World Chocolate Day (7th July) for high-engagement posts (because everyone loves chocolate). A must-use date for any digital manager is World Emoji Day (17th July), which is perfect for running polls, quizzes, or simply encouraging more vibrant caption copy. Towards the end of the month, focus on connection with International Day of Friendship (30th July). 

Key July 2026 Social Media Days

August 2026: Staycations and Summer’s End

August is the ultimate time for end-of-summer content, focusing on spontaneous fun, family time, and enjoying the last of the sunshine. The most important UK-wide date is the Summer Bank Holiday (31st August), which, particularly in London, is associated with the vibrant Notting Hill Carnival. Content should reflect the party atmosphere, food, and cultural celebration. Fun dates like International Cat Day (8th August) and National Burger Day (27th August) are perfect for light-hearted, visually appealing posts that get immediate likes and comments. Plan ‘back-to-school’ or ‘end-of-summer sale’ content to launch just after the Bank Holiday.

Key August 2026 Social Media Days

September 2026: Back to Business

September is a dual-focus month: the return to work/school and a massive push for global and national awareness. Content should be more thoughtful and informative. Key fun dates include Talk Like a Pirate Day (19th September), which is a fantastic opportunity for quirky engagement. World Tourism Day (27th September) is perfect for travel companies, airlines, and local hospitality businesses to showcase stunning locations or run destination-focused campaigns. September’s calendar is an excellent opportunity to balance promotional content with valuable, educational posts.

Key September 2026 Social Media Days

October 2026: Spooky Season

October is a vibrant month where commercial ‘spooky season’ preparation blends with important wellness themes. Black History Month runs all month long in the UK, a critical period for content focusing on education, inclusion, and unity. Key awareness dates include International Coffee Day (1st October), a daily ritual that’s perfect for community engagement, and the essential World Mental Health Day (10th October). As the month progresses, the focus shifts to Halloween (31st October), a massive opportunity for retail, food, beauty, and events to post fun, visual, and themed content. Don’t overlook the simple pleasure of World Smile Day (2nd October) for a quick, positive post.

Key October 2026 Social Media Days

November 2026: Gifting and Remembrance

November is the start of the winter holiday marketing season, but it is deeply anchored in remembrance and social movements. Start with World Vegetarian Day (1st November) and Guy Fawkes Day/Bonfire Night (5th November). The most respectful and significant date is Remembrance Sunday (8th November), which calls for somber, respectful content. The entire month is dedicated to Movember, which raises awareness for men’s health. The last week of November is a crucial period for retail, with US-driven events having a massive UK impact: Black Friday ( 27th November) and Cyber Monday (30th November) demand high-volume, promotional content.

Key November 2026 Social Media Days

December 2026: Festive Frenzy and Final Flurry

December is all about the festive season, wrapping up the year, and preparing for the next. The entire month is a retail high-point, with many campaigns centred on gift guides, festive treats, and holiday traditions. Christmas Jumper Day (10th December) is a fun, easily shareable social moment often linked to charity. The main UK Holidays are Christmas Day (25th December) and Boxing Day (26th December), with the substitute Bank Holiday for Boxing Day falling on 28th December. Content should celebrate joy, reflection, and community. The final days are focused on wrap-up content, looking forward to the new year, and of course, celebrating New Year’s Eve (31st December) and the Scottish tradition of Hogmanay.

Key December 2026 Social Media Days

• Social Media Resources

Kalum , 01 October 2025