Wednesday, 7 December 2022

Hashtag holidays that need to be a part of your strategy in 2023

Hashtags help people connect. They build communities, generate awareness about social causes and create new social media events known as hashtag holidays.

From #DressUpYourPetDay to #InternationalDayOfCharity, there are hundreds of hashtag holidays to choose from. By using the right ones, you can forge relationships with your ideal customers and reach your goals on social. But with so many options, it can be difficult to determine which ones are relevant for your brand and will resonate with your audience.

We’ve assembled a list of the top hashtag holidays for 2023. Read on to learn more about how to find the right social-specific holidays to spice up your calendar and brand examples that stood out to us from 2022.

Creating your hashtag holiday strategy

Step 1: Choose relevant hashtag holidays

First, it’s important to understand your brand’s social goals and objectives before celebrating hashtag holidays that may not be relevant to your audience. For example, it would be a stretch for a medical sales brand to share #NationalSmoresDay content, but a perfect fit for a camping equipment brand. It’s important to be thoughtful about what holidays work for your brand and how to incorporate them into your social media calendar.

When determining which hashtags are right for your brand, ask yourself two questions:

  1. Does this hashtag seem like a natural fit for the brand?
  2. Will this hashtag holiday resonate with my audience?

Step 2: Use consumer data for decision-making

Leverage consumer data to back up your hashtag holiday strategy. It gives you the best insight into what resonates with your audience, what they’re talking about online and how you can tap into those conversations.

Begin by using a hashtag tracking tool like Sprout Social’s to understand the hashtags your audience already follows.

A screenshot of Sprout Social's Related Keyword & Hashtags Listening dashboard.

Take it a step further by using the power of social listening to analyze conversations around relevant topics. Using data points will give you the most accurate view of your audience’s behavior.

Social data can also help you understand how your customers use your product or service, what trends they’re interested in and their pain points.

Step 3: Research hashtag holidays before creating content

Once you identify the hashtag holidays that resonate with your audience, research the holidays so you can start planning your content.

You should also investigate what your favorite brands are doing and how their hashtag holiday content performed in the previous year.

As the hashtag holiday nears, use listening data to uncover trending conversations. This will help you understand how people are celebrating the hashtag holiday this year and what other global events are influencing your audience.

A screenshot of Demographics in Sprout's Listening tool

Step 4: Prepare your hashtag holiday content in advance

Don’t wait until the day-of to create your content. Once you have a great idea, start resource planning accordingly. Then, begin the process of creating your content, getting it approved and scheduling it in advance.

A screenshot of a TIkTok video by HBR Ascend about one coworker who is overzealous about the hashtag holiday Star Wars Day

Note: The fun nature of hashtag holidays makes them the perfect opportunity to collaborate with other members of your team, like this video from HBR Ascend demonstrates. Loop in your teammates as soon as possible if you’re planning something similar.

The hashtag holidays to include in your monthly calendar (with examples)

Here are some of our favorite hashtag holidays coming up in 2023, and brands who nailed their execution in 2022.

A list of Winter 2023 hashtag holidays

January hashtag holidays

#NationalTriviaDay

As the Jeopardy of hashtag holidays, #NationalTriviaDay marks the day every year where people (and brands) can flaunt their niche knowledge. For Trivia enthusiasts, January 4 is the highlight of their year.

On last #NationalTriviaDay, NASA’s Johnson Space Center quizzed their Twitter followers about everyday objects that use infrared light. Ultimately, the Tweet educated their community about their new Laser Communications Relay Demonstration and earned sizable engagement.

Apply it: Use this holiday as a chance to gamify your new product announcements or brand history. Ask your community if they know how your products are made or if they remember the original name of your top products. Watch the likes, replies and answers come streaming in.

#NationalPieDay

Every year on January 23, people all over the US celebrate one of America’s favorite desserts. #NationalPieDay is a perfect hashtag holiday for pie shops. But restaurants and food manufacturers aren’t the only brands who can get a piece of the increased buzz on social.

Classic Movie Hub made pie the star of their Tweet and found a playful way to engage their audience on the holiday in 2022.

Apply it: Are there unexpected ways your product intersects with pie? If so, lean into them when planning your content.

February hashtag holidays

#GalentinesDay

While Galentine’s Day officially originated on the show “Parks and Recreation,” February 13 became widely celebrated on social as a way for everyone to go all-out for their besties.

@kohls

Cheers to the girls.🥂#galentinesday #Kohls

♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

Last #GalentinesDay, Kohl’s featured two friends shopping in one of their stores. Their purchases were self-care essentials that have become hallmarks of the hashtag holiday.

Apply it: How can your products cater to best friends of all genders? Try creating a #GalentinesDay gift guide or hosting a giveaway to show your followers some love.

#KindnessDay

#KindnessDay—also known as #RandomActsofKindnessDay—takes place every February 17. The hashtag holiday creates space online (and in real life) for people to be kind to one another.

A screenshot of Bryant Park's Instagram caption about their post for the hashtag holiday #KindnessDay

Every year, NYC’s Bryant Park honors #KindnessDay by partnering with a local arts and crafts store to donate scarves to those in need. The well-orchestrated donation is captured on Instagram, and Bryant Park’s caption thanks all the donors and volunteers involved.

Try it yourself: Pulling off a fundraiser or large-scale donation requires a lot of behind-the-scenes preparation. If your brand plans on partnering with a local nonprofit, start by determining where your brand can help fill needs in your community.

March hashtag holidays

#PopcornLoversDay

#PopcornLoversDay is observed on March 10. The hashtag holiday is the perfect chance for snack enthusiasts to enjoy popcorn paired with their favorite activities like watching movies, shopping online and listening to podcasts.

Young Hollywood, the pop culture media brand, celebrated #PopcornLoversDay by combining popcorn with its audience’s favorite thing: celebrities. In their video, two celebs taste-tested popcorn to determine which one is the more expensive option.

Apply it: When celebrating #PopcornLoversDay on social, brands should take a cue from Young Hollywood and pair popcorn with an activity related to their product or service.

#WorldStorytellingDay

#WorldStorytellingDay on March 20 is a celebration of the art of storytelling. The hashtag holiday brings an ancient tradition to a modern forum by connecting people through stories.

Visit Scotland’s Tweet on last year’s #WorldStorytellingDay told the tale of the birthplace of Dundee’s now famous computer game industry.

Apply it: In your own content, use #WorldStorytellingDay to captivate your audience with legends of yore. Ask yourself:

  • Which stories fill the chapters of my brand’s history book?
  • How has my business been a vital part of my community over the years?
  • Are there stories from our community we can amplify?
A list of Spring 2023 hashtag holidays

April hashtag holidays

#NationalSiblingsDay

Let’s hear it for the siblings. #NationalSiblingsDay on April 10 celebrates the special bond siblings share.

@nhl

Happy NationalSiblingsDay! #hockey #sportstiktok

♬ FEEL THE GROOVE – Queens Road, Fabian Graetz

Some brands celebrate the hashtag holiday literally. Last year the NHL introduced fans to siblings within the league in this TikTok video.

Apply it: If you have siblings working at your organization, consider highlighting them on #NationalSiblingsDay. You can also feature other siblings like adorable animals and famous families.

#EarthDay

#EarthDay is more than just a hashtag holiday—it’s the world’s largest environmental movement. Social media helps the cause gain momentum, which is why every April 22 your feeds are flooded with Earth appreciation content.

Grove Collaborative, the sustainable cleaning and personal care products brand, takes #EarthDay to the next level by celebrating #EarthMonth. Every day during April, they share tips to help people take care of their health and the planet.

Apply it: If you post on #EarthDay, make sure to align your content with your corporate responsibility initiatives. A post with no action to back it up will fall flat. Show your audience what you’re doing to give back.

May hashtag holidays

#StarWarsDay

#Maythe4thBeWithYou—or #StarWarsDay—on May 4 is the celebration of all things Star Wars. Prepare your Baby Yoda memes, Chewbacca cosplay and queue up all 12 movies.

@usouthdakota

May the 4th be with you #starwars #starwarsday #may4th #obiwan

♬ Duel of the Fates ( Star Wars) – Rob Starr & The Hollywood Singers and Orchestra

On last #Maythe4th, the University of South Dakota put a Star Wars spin on the popular “Can you hold this?” TikTok trend. The result was hilarious lightsaber duels that showed off their fun campus culture.

Apply it: This quirky hashtag holiday isn’t right for every brand. But if your community is made up of die-hard Star Wars fans, they’ll appreciate you venturing to a galaxy far, far away. Just be sure to use the right lingo and create relevant content, or you could risk ending up on your community’s dark side. May the force be with you.

#IDAHOT

The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia—or #IDAHOT—is observed on May 17. The day marks an international effort to improve the lives of all LGBTQIA+ people around the world.

On #IDAHOT last year, LVMH, the French luxury goods conglomerate, promoted a video about the microaggressions people in the LGBTQIA+ community face.

Apply it: According to The Sprout Social Index™, 71% of consumers think it’s important for brands to raise awareness and take a stand on sensitive issues. Supporting global movements like #IDAHOT helps build genuine connections with your community. Use your platform to educate your followers about the injustices faced by the LGBTQIA+ community. Just ensure your brand activism isn’t performative.

June hashtag holidays

#NationalDonutDay

On the first Friday of June, we celebrate #NationalDonutDay and pay homage to the glazed, cream-filled treats.

A screenshot of Dunkin's Instagram caption for hashtag holiday #NationalDonutDay

When you picture donuts, it’s hard not to imagine racks of sugary goodness offered at Dunkin’. Last year for the hashtag holiday, the brand gave away free donuts to everyone who purchased a beverage. They promoted the giveaway with a mouth-watering video on their social profiles.

Apply it: It’s hard not to love free donuts. Offering a donut giveaway will help generate foot traffic to your store and engagement on social. Even if you aren’t a donut maker, try partnering with a baked goods company to make the most of the occasion.

A list of Summer 2023 hashtag holidays

July hashtag holidays

#WorldUFODay

If you believe in aliens, you’re not alone. Some 65% of Americans believe intelligent life exists outside of Earth. On July 2 social media users commemorate the quest to learn more about what lies beyond the stars with #WorldUFODay.

A Facebook caption from a post by Postmodern Jukebox about the hashtag holiday World UFO Day

Even if you don’t have a sci-fi brand, you can still create out of this world content. For example, the musical collective Postmodern Jukebox celebrated the hashtag holiday with an ode to the supernatural sounds of their musicians.

Apply it: Don’t overthink it. Find a fun, playful way to link your brands’ offerings to the alien phenomenon.

#InternationalFriendshipDay

#InternationalFriendshipDay on July 30 is all about finding intentional ways to connect with your friends and loved ones. The hashtag holiday originated as a way to bolster community IRL, but gained traction on social media as people became increasingly isolated. Traditionally, the holiday is an occasion to exchange small gifts or share a meal.

Coca-Cola gave #InternationalFriendshipDay a modern makeover last year. They gifted all their NFT owners a digital collectible to share with a friend.

Apply it: Asking your core community to call upon their friends is a tried-and-true strategy. It’s an effective form of social media word-of-mouth marketing that can help you increase your followers, engagements and, ultimately, drive sales. Encourage your followers to tag a friend in the comments for a chance to win a prize. Gift two friends with the vacation of their dreams.  Request user-generated content featuring friends completing your workout. Whatever you do, make your content about sharing with friends.

August hashtag holidays

#NationalLazyDay

#NationalLazyDay on August 10 is a hashtag holiday we can all get behind. Who doesn’t need an excuse to take a break and be cozy?

@stitchfix

Sit back and stay stylish. This NationalLazyDay, let your stylist do the work for you 😉. #stitchfix #stitchfixstylist #ootd

♬ Luxury fashion (no vocals) – TimTaj

Last year on #NationalLazyDay, Stitch Fix showed their customers how they help everyday be a lazy day. With their services, a stylist picks out your clothes for you—giving you more time to relax.

Apply it: How do your products/services give your customers a chance to be “lazy”? Take a cue from Stitch Fix’s playbook and show your followers how you can save them time.

#WorldPhotographyDay

Did you know 54,400 photos are taken every second? We’re a world of photo lovers. #WorldPhotographyDay on August 19 gives people an opportunity to share their love of photography.

OnePlus India, the electronics company, captured the spirit of photographers in their YouTube video. The video speaks to a truth all photographers know: not every photo can be your best shot. You need to keep practicing until you capture the magic. It was a part of their larger hashtag campaign, #YourBestShot.

Apply it: Help your customers uplevel their photography skills by sharing helpful tips and advice. Ask them to share their photos with you using your own branded hashtag to source stellar user-generated content.

September hashtag holidays

#ConstitutionDay

On every September 17 in the US, Americans celebrate the signing of the Constitution with #ConstitutionDay. While the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4 is more popular, the signing of the United States Constitution on September 17, 1787 is another key date to celebrate.

As this Tweet by the Smithsonian Institution demonstrates, museums, educators and brands offer educational resources on #ConstitutionDay to help people brush up on their US history.

Apply it: If your audience is interested in learning more about America’s history, share key facts about the signing of the Constitution in your content. For example, did you know it took more than 200 years for #ConstitutionDay to get its own holiday?

A list of fall 2023 hashtag holidays

October hashtag holidays

#NationalCoffeeDay

Perhaps the most beloved hashtag holiday of all, #NationalCoffeeDay on October 1 celebrates our culture’s collective love of java.

A screenshot of an Instagram caption from Misfits Market about the hashtag holiday #NationalCoffeeDay

Like this post from grocer Misfits Market demonstrates, the best #NationalCoffeeDay content acknowledges our obsession with coffee.

Apply it: Make coffee the star of your content on #NationalCoffeeDay. Turn your logo into latte art. Show your team recharging with a cup of joe. Give away free coffee to everyone who visits your store. Give the people what they want: coffee.

#NationalCatDay

If there’s anything pet parents love, it’s a chance to show you their pets. On #NationalCatDay on October 29, cat owners spoil their kitties with extra love and post their favorite photos and videos of them.

@petsmart

The purrrfect day! 😽 #NationalCatDay #AnythingforPets #Cats #catsoftiktok

♬ original sound – PetSmart

PetSmart celebrated #NationalCatDay last year by creating a day-in-the-life video of a cat. The video pinpointed exactly what many people suspect cats are thinking and the result is adorable.

Apply it: How do cats play a role in your business? Do remote employees have cats who crash their video calls? Feature them in your next video. Also, with Halloween around the corner, you can give your cat content a spooky twist.

November hashtag holidays

#GivingTuesday

#GivingTuesday marks the Tuesday after Black Friday where people turn their spending toward nonprofits.

@espn

Stories like Trey Mancini’s would not be possible without breakthroughs in cancer research. Hit the link in bio to give to the V Foundation, where 100% of donations directly fund research. #mlb #baseball #givingtuesday #thevfoundation

♬ original sound – ESPN

In ESPN’s video, they share a story about one of their players who was diagnosed with cancer, underwent treatment and was able to be a part of the 2022 World Series-winning team. Along with the inspiring story, they included a link to donate to a cancer research foundation in their bio.

Apply it: Unless you’re an NGO or partnering with one, don’t promote your own content on #GivingTuesday. Instead, amplify and make space for organizations that are serving communities in need.

December hashtag holidays

#Festivus

Although the show “Seinfeld” ended more than 24 years ago, it’s still influencing pop culture. In the show, character George Constanza’s family celebrated #Festivus as an alternative to Christmas. Since then, Dec 23 has become a hashtag holiday observed by Seinfield superfans.

@officialseinfeldtv

Let’s revisit the reason for the season. Don’t forget to tag your Festivus Pole with FestivusSavesTrees. 1 photo = 1 tree! #Seinfeld #Festivus #fyp

♬ Origins of Festivus. Stream the Series on Netflix – Seinfeld

Apply it: If your community is full of Seinfeld appreciators, make room in your holiday content calendar for #Festivus. Be sure to include nods to holiday traditions like displaying an aluminum pole and performing the airing of grievances.

What’s next for your content in 2023

Now that you know some of the hashtag holidays coming up in 2023, it’s time to start planning. Remember to stay true to your brand by choosing relevant hashtags that will help foster a deeper connection with your target audience.

Use our 30-day social media plan template to ensure what you share aligns with the interests of your community and contributes to overall business value. By completing just one task each day for the next 30 days, you can fully transform your social content.

The post Hashtag holidays that need to be a part of your strategy in 2023 appeared first on Sprout Social.



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