Planning social media content and campaigns well in advance provides social media managers with peace of mind during the hectic holiday season. To help you bring in the new year, we have provided you with an updated 2026 calendar. This calendar for social media managers highlights all the major holidays and observances so you don’t miss a beat. 

Planning your content around the most significant celebrations and pop culture moments can help you spark meaningful conversations, attract more followers, and gain plenty of likes and shares. Download the full 2026 social media calendar as a planning resource to help you throughout the year!

January

Are you ready for another successful year and new opportunities? Say hello to 2026! January is the perfect time to hit refresh, whether it’s for your business, personal goals, or community. This month is all about new beginnings, bold moves, and working towards those New Year’s resolutions.

This month is the perfect time for businesses to attract new customers and re-engage their audience. From “New Year, New You” style promotions to fresh campaigns and special offers, now is the time to get creative and make an impact. On social media, share your goals, updates, and content that speaks to what your target audience is excited about in the year ahead.

So, what are we celebrating this month?

January 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

January opens with New Year’s Day, a chance to share fresh goals, inspire your audience, and set the tone for the year ahead. Mid-month, Martin Luther King Jr. Day invites reflection and a moment to highlight your values and inclusivity. Be sure to avoid promotions and use this day to honor Dr. King’s legacy with messages of unity, service, and equality.

Other important dates:

• 04: National Spaghetti Day
• 19: National Popcorn Day
• 24: National Compliment Day
• 26: National Spouses Day
• 30: National Croissant Day

February

February is a month full of meaning, celebration, and moments to connect. From honoring Black History Month to sharing the love on Valentine’s Day, and even checking in with Punxsutawney Phil on Groundhog Day, there’s no shortage of creative opportunities. Whether you’re educating, entertaining, or simply spreading joy, this month is packed with reasons to show up and stand out.

February 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

The Super Bowl takes place each year in February, and whether you follow the NFL season or not, it remains one of the biggest marketing events of the year. With millions of people tuning in to the big game, it is sure to be a hot topic on social media, sparking conversations about the best Super Bowl commercials, the Halftime show, and, of course, the gameplay! 

Moreover, Valentine’s Day presents a fun opportunity to show love to your community, customers, and followers. Whether it’s heartfelt messages, customer appreciation, or themed promotions, this day is perfect for humanizing your brand.

Other important dates:

• 01: Grammy Awards
• 09: National Pizza Day
• 13: Galentine’s Day
• 17: Ramadan Starts
• 17: Lunar New Year

March  

March is full of energy, celebration, and a little friendly competition. For starters, it’s Women’s History Month, a time to spotlight the achievements and contributions of women who continue to shape our history. It’s also a time to break out the green for St. Patrick’s Day, a fun cultural moment perfect for light-hearted and festive content. And of course, it wouldn’t be March without the buzz of March Madness, so get those brackets ready and tap into the excitement around the NCAA tournament.

March 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

Beyond St. Patrick’s Day and March Madness, March is packed with fun, timely moments that social media managers can use to drive engagement and creativity. The Oscars are a golden opportunity for real-time content. Try live reactions, themed posts, or spotlighting your brand’s “award-winning” products, followers, or team members. 

Additionally, Daylight Saving Time begins in March, and it’s a great chance to post content and remind your followers to update their clocks! Lastly, Pi Day on March 14 is a fun, easy way to engage your audience with clever 3.14 references or pie-themed content. March offers a little bit of everything, perfect for showcasing your personality and staying relevant.

Other important dates: 

• 03: National Anthem Day
• 07: National Cereal Day
• 17: Start of March Madness
• 20: International Day of Happiness
• 25: MLB Opening Day

April

Spring is here, and with it comes fresh energy and tons of creative potential. From harmless pranks on April Fools’ Day to meaningful moments like Earth Day, April is all about balance, humor, awareness, and connection. Don’t forget to mark April 25th! It might just be our favorite celebration of the year!

April 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

April kicks off with Autism Awareness Day on the 2nd. This day presents a meaningful opportunity to share resources, stores, and support around neurodiversity. On National Siblings Day, tap into nostalgic, feel-good content about your brother or sister! Metricool’s Anniversary is on April 25th, so be sure to join our celebration and show your support for your favorite social media management tool!

Other important dates: 

• 12: National Only Child Day
• 15: Jackie Robinson Day
• 28: National Superhero Day
• 29: International Dance Day

May

May brings sunshine and a renewed sense of energy. It’s a month filled with reasons to connect, from honoring heroes on Memorial Day to celebrating your mom on Mother’s Day. If you have been holding off on creating content, May is the perfect time to post and kick off the pre-summer vibes!

May 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

Mother’s Day is the perfect time to celebrate moms, grandmothers, and anyone who’s been a motherly figure in your life with heartfelt posts, giveaways, or user-generated content. The MET Gala brings fashion, glam, and celebrity viral moments, ideal for hopping on trends or sharing your stylish side. The Kentucky Derby is also in May, offering a fun excuse for themed content, from bold hats to race-day flair. Finally, Memorial Day is a time to honor our fallen soldiers.

Other important dates: 

• 04: Star Wars Day
• 13: National Apple Pie Day

June

June brings bold celebrations, enormous energy, and the official start of summer! From the summer solstice to the beginning of Pride Month, this month is made for vibrant content. Whether you’re creating fishing content on Go Fishing Day or posting a funny moment with dad on Father’s Day, June is your time to shine!

June 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

June has no shortage of scroll-stopping moments. Juneteenth is a powerful opportunity to honor black history, freedom, and progress! On National Hug Your Cat Day, post some adorable pet content your audience will love. Celebrate the digital world on World Social Media Day. This is your chance to reflect on how far we have come online and to showcase your skills as a social media manager or influencer. Let’s not forget Father’s Day, a great time to honor dads, grandfathers, and any father figure in your life with heartfelt or humorous content.

Other important dates: 

• 04: National Hug Your Cat Day
• 08: National Best Friends Day
• 17: National Mascot Day
• 21: Summer Solstice

July

July is at the heart of the summer season. While many of us are taking summer vacations to the beach or just taking some time to sit back and relax, the social media manager grind doesn’t stop. Thankfully, Metricool can help you schedule your social content, so you too can enjoy all that July has to offer! While scheduling out your content for this month, keep the following observances and holidays in mind:

July 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

July is all about sunshine, celebrations, and a laid-back vibe. It’s the perfect month to lean into warm, cheery content that really gets your followers talking. Kick things off with the 4th of July by celebrating America’s birthday with festive posts full of red, white, and blue! A week later, invite your audience to cool off on 7/11 day with a Slurpee, the ultimate summer treat. Finally, close out the month by embracing those long summer days on National Hammock Day.

Other important dates: 

• 07: National Macaroni Day
• 24: Amelia Earhart Day
• 26: National Aunt & Uncle Day
• 30: National Cheesecake Day

August

With August being the last stretch of summer, it’s time to get ready for the back-to-school season and to ramp up your social media efforts! This month is all about capturing those final golden summer moments while also shifting gears toward new routines, learning, and fresh opportunities. It’s the perfect chance to balance playful summer vibes with practical, forward-thinking content.

August 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

August is the last splash of summer and the start of the back-to-school season, making it a great time for fun and meaningful content. Celebrate Ice Cream Sandwich Day with sweet summer treats and share family love on Son and Daughter Day. Then, highlight empowerment on Women’s Equality Day, and wrap up the season with sunny posts for National Beach Day.

Other important dates: 

• 14: National Creamsicle Day
• 17: Black Cat Appreciation Day
• 24: National Waffle Day

September

September brings the shift from summer sunshine to crisp autumn air, making it a great time to refresh your strategy and plan ahead. The first day of fall on the 22nd sets the tone for cozy seasonal content, while Hispanic Heritage Month offers a meaningful way to honor culture and community. Use the following holidays and observances to spark engagement and keep your audience connected as the holiday season quickly approaches.

September 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

September marks the official end of summer and the start of autumn, bringing fresh energy and new opportunities for content. The month starts with Labor Day, a reminder to relax and take a well-deserved break from all the hard work you do! Then, later on in the month, welcome the cozy season ahead with the start of the Autumn Equinox on September 22. This is the perfect time to shift your feed toward fall colors, traditions, and themes.

Other important dates: 

• 03: National SkyScrapper Day
• 05: National Cheese Pizza Day
• 19: National Concussion Awareness Day
• 27: Ancestor Appreciation Day
• 28: National Drink Beer Day

October

From pumpkins and costumes to candy and haunted houses, spooky season has officially arrived! There are endless ways to get creative and connect with your followers during this month. Need a little boost of inspiration? Check out all the important holidays and observances for October and start building your content calendar!

October 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

The October celebrations go beyond just Halloween! Let the festivities begin with National Pumpkin Spice Day on September 1st (yes, the pumpkin spice latte season is getting real). Then, take some time for self-care and mental health on World Mental Health Day (September 10th). To round out the month, keep the fall-themed content going on National Pumpkin Day. Whether it’s a pumpkin carving clip, a cute pumpkin patch post, or a pumpkin pie recipe, use this day to create content for any and everything pumpkin!

Other important dates: 

• 19: National New Friends Day
• 22: National Color Day

November

Just like that, we’re already in November and getting ready to wrap up the year. Whether you’re planning ahead or jumping in as the month arrives, it’s the perfect time to mix gratitude and seasonal fun in your content. November also marks Native American Heritage Month.

November 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

November is full of content gold. Veterans Day is a chance to honor those who’ve served with meaningful posts. Thanksgiving is also in November, and it is a very popular time to post on social media. During this holiday, celebrate family, food, and everything you are grateful for with trendy posts. And of course, let’s not forget Black Friday. It is the prime time for creative campaigns around clever deals, gift ideas, and winter holiday hype.

Other important dates: 

• 02: National Deviled Egg Day
• 10: National Vanilla Cupcake Day
• 17: Homemade Bread Day
• 23: Fibonacci Day

December

Time flies, and the year is coming to an end! Before we look ahead to 2027, there’s still some time to wrap up the year and go out with a bang! As temperatures begin to drop, it’s the ideal time to share cozy winter content and posts about all your favorite Christmas gifts. Let’s dive into all the important dates to help you close out another successful year. 

December 2026 Social Media Calendar Highlight

December is all about sparkle and family moments! Start this month off with content welcoming the first day of winter. From there, it’s time to start celebrating all the winter holidays, including Christmas. Schedule out some content and start spreading that holiday cheer! Then go all out for New Year’s Eve, with sparklers, countdowns, and champagne sips as you step into 2027.

Christmas is a huge opportunity for marketers and social media managers. However, December is also one of the heaviest marketing months, where competition is fierce. Rather than relying on expensive ad campaigns, consider using organic strategies like SEO, competitor analysis, and social media analytics to develop your content plan.

Other important dates: 

• 12: Gingerbread House Day
• 17: Wright Brothers Day
• 26: National Candy Cane Day
• 28: National Call a Friend Day

As you plan your 2026 social media marketing strategy, use this calendar as a reference throughout the year to remind you of important dates and holidays. This helps you generate new content ideas and remember important cultural moments. 

Download the full 2026 US Social Media Calendar for free! 

• Social Media Resources

Emerson Tyler , 01 October 2025