Post for the holidays and seasons your customers celebrate, starting two to three weeks before for anything they need to order or book, and always post your public holiday opening hours. In most countries the big moments for small businesses are the year-end holidays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day and Father's Day, your national day, and the festivals of the communities you serve, such as Lunar New Year, Ramadan and Eid, or Diwali. Pick your country below to see what to post and when to start.
Jump to your country: Canada · Malaysia · UAE and the Gulf · United Kingdom · United States
Key takeaways
- Plan around the festivals your customers actually celebrate, not every date on the calendar.
- Start two to three weeks ahead for anything customers order or book: cakes, hampers, set menus, appointments.
- Always post public holiday opening hours, and repeat them the day before.
- Several dates move every year (lunar, Hindu and Islamic calendars): check the official dates and count back from them.
- Use your real products, dishes and team; festive posts work better when they look like your place.
Canada
Statutory holidays differ by province, so check your province's list and post your hours for each one, open or closed.
Remembrance Day: 11 Nov 2026 · Christmas: 25 Dec 2026 · Boxing Day: 26 Dec 2026 · New Year's Day: 1 Jan 2027 · Valentine's Day: 14 Feb 2027 · Family Day: 15 Feb 2027 (BC, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick) · Mother's Day: 9 May 2027 · Victoria Day: 24 May 2027 · Canada Day: 1 Jul 2027 · Labour Day: 6 Sep 2027 · Thanksgiving: 11 Oct 2027 · Halloween: 31 Oct 2027
| When | Holiday or moment | Matters most to | What to post | Start posting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February (14th, and the third Monday) | Valentine's Day and Family Day | Cafés, florists, bakeries, classes | Set menus, bouquets, gift boxes, family activities, long weekend hours | 3 weeks before |
| May (second Sunday) | Mother's Day | Cafés, bakeries, florists, salons | Brunch bookings, cakes, bouquets, treatment vouchers | 2 weeks before |
| May (the Monday before 25 May) | Victoria Day | F&B, garden, outdoor | Patio and garden season, long weekend hours | 1 week before |
| 1 July | Canada Day | Everyone | Local makers, red and white specials, a simple greeting, holiday hours | 1 week before |
| Late August to September | Back to school and Labour Day | Classes, retail, kids' services | New timetables, school supplies, autumn programmes | 3 weeks before |
| October (second Monday) | Thanksgiving | F&B, bakeries, florists | Pies to order, harvest menus, centrepieces, holiday hours | 2 to 3 weeks before |
| 31 October | Halloween | F&B, bakeries, retail, kids' classes | Themed treats, costumes, kids' events | 2 weeks before |
| December | Christmas, Boxing Day and year end | F&B, retail, gifts | Party bookings, gift ideas, your real Boxing Day offer, holiday hours | 3 weeks before |
Malaysia
Dates marked lunar or Hindu calendar move each year, so check the official public holiday list for the year and count back from the date. Download Malaysia's calendar
Deepavali: Sun 8 Nov 2026 (Mon 9 Nov is the replacement holiday in most states; Sarawak has no Deepavali holiday) · Christmas: 25 Dec 2026 · Chinese New Year: 6 Feb 2027 · Ramadan begins: about 8 Feb 2027 · Hari Raya Aidilfitri: about 10 Mar 2027 · Hari Raya Haji: about 17 May 2027 · Merdeka: 31 Aug 2027 · Malaysia Day: 16 Sep 2027
Add every Malaysian festival to your calendar, with a reminder when to start posting.
| When | Festival | Matters most to | What to post | Start posting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | New Year | Everyone | What's new this year: menu, services, stock, hours | First week of January |
| January or February (lunar) | Chinese New Year | F&B, bakeries, gifts, salons | Festive specials, gift sets, pre-orders, holiday hours | 2 to 3 weeks before |
| February or March (lunar) | Ramadan | F&B, retail, services | Buka puasa sets, sahur hours, changed opening times | 1 week before it starts |
| March or April (lunar) | Hari Raya Aidilfitri | F&B, bakeries, fashion, gifts | Pre-orders, hampers and gift boxes, balik kampung closures, a 'we're back' post | 3 weeks before |
| May (second Sunday) | Mother's Day | Cafés, bakeries, florists, salons | Set menus, cakes, bouquets, treatment vouchers | 2 weeks before |
| May or June (lunar) | Hari Raya Haji | Everyone | Greeting and public holiday hours | 1 week before |
| June (third Sunday) | Father's Day | F&B, retail, barbers | Gifts, set meals, grooming packages | 2 weeks before |
| July | No major festival | Everyone | Behind the scenes: your team, how things are made, what regulars order | Any time |
| 31 August | Merdeka | Everyone | Malaysian flavours, locally made products, a simple greeting, holiday hours | 1 week before |
| 16 September | Malaysia Day | Everyone | Your own story: where you started and who you serve; holiday hours | 1 week before |
| October or November (Hindu calendar) | Deepavali | F&B, sweets, fashion, gifts | Festive treats and sweets, gift sets, holiday hours | 2 to 3 weeks before |
| December | Christmas and year end | F&B, retail, events | Year-end parties, festive menus, gift ideas, a thank-you post, holiday hours | 3 weeks before |
UAE and the Gulf
Islamic holidays follow the moon, so official dates are announced close to the day. Treat the months below as a planning guide and confirm locally. Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the other Gulf states have their own national days.
UAE Commemoration Day: 30 Nov 2026 · UAE National Day holiday: 2 to 3 Dec 2026 · Dubai Shopping Festival: 4 Dec 2026 to 17 Jan 2027 · Qatar National Day: 18 Dec 2026 · Ramadan: expected around early February 2027, confirm locally · Saudi Founding Day: 22 Feb 2027 · Eid al-Fitr: expected around early March 2027, confirm locally · Mother's Day in the Arab world: 21 Mar 2027 · Eid al-Adha: expected around mid May 2027, confirm locally · Islamic New Year: expected around early June 2027, confirm locally · UAE new school year: 30 Aug 2027 · Saudi National Day: 23 Sep 2027
| When | Holiday or moment | Matters most to | What to post | Start posting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| February or March (Islamic calendar) | Ramadan | F&B, retail, salons, gyms | Iftar and suhoor offers, changed opening hours, gift sets, late-night hours | 2 weeks before it starts |
| March (Islamic calendar) | Eid al-Fitr | F&B, bakeries, fashion, gifts, salons | Eid outfits, sweets and gift boxes, styling bookings, holiday hours | 3 weeks before |
| 21 March | Mother's Day | Cafés, bakeries, florists, salons | Cakes, bouquets, set menus, treatment vouchers | 2 weeks before |
| May (Islamic calendar) | Eid al-Adha | Everyone | A greeting, holiday hours, family catering and gatherings | 1 to 2 weeks before |
| Summer | The hot months and the school break | F&B, classes, indoor activities | Indoor activities, summer camps, changed hours, cool drinks | 3 weeks before |
| Late August | Back to school | Classes, retail, kids' services | New timetables, uniforms and supplies, new term programmes | 3 weeks before |
| September to December | National days | Everyone | A respectful greeting, local makers, national colours, holiday hours | 1 week before |
| December to January | Dubai Shopping Festival and year end | Retail, F&B, gifts | Offers you really run, with end dates; New Year's Eve bookings, gift ideas | 2 weeks before |
United Kingdom
Bank holiday dates below are for England and Wales, from GOV.UK. Scotland and Northern Ireland have some different dates, so check yours.
Bonfire Night: 5 Nov 2026 · Remembrance Sunday: 8 Nov 2026 · Black Friday: 27 Nov 2026 · Small Business Saturday: 5 Dec 2026 · Christmas Day: 25 Dec 2026 · Boxing Day bank holiday: Mon 28 Dec 2026 · New Year's Day: 1 Jan 2027 · Valentine's Day: 14 Feb 2027 · Mothering Sunday: 7 Mar 2027 · Good Friday: 26 Mar 2027 · Easter Monday: 29 Mar 2027 · Early May bank holiday: 3 May 2027 · Spring bank holiday: 31 May 2027 · Father's Day: 20 Jun 2027 · Summer bank holiday: 30 Aug 2027
| When | Holiday or moment | Matters most to | What to post | Start posting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 February | Valentine's Day | Cafés, florists, bakeries, jewellery | Set menus, bouquets, gift boxes, pre-orders | 3 weeks before |
| March (three Sundays before Easter) | Mothering Sunday | Cafés, bakeries, florists, salons | Lunch bookings, cakes, bouquets, treatment vouchers | 2 to 3 weeks before |
| March or April | Easter | F&B, bakeries, retail, classes | Hot cross buns and Easter treats, holiday clubs, bank holiday hours | 2 weeks before |
| May (two bank holidays) | May bank holidays | Everyone | Long weekend hours, garden and outdoor ideas, events | 1 week before |
| June (third Sunday) | Father's Day | F&B, retail, barbers | Gifts, set meals, grooming packages | 2 weeks before |
| Late July to early September | Summer holidays | Classes, cafés, family businesses | Holiday clubs, summer menus, the August bank holiday | 3 weeks before |
| 31 October and 5 November | Halloween and Bonfire Night | F&B, bakeries, kids' classes | Themed bakes, events, half-term activities | 2 weeks before |
| Late November to December | Black Friday, Small Business Saturday and Christmas | F&B, retail, gifts | Gift guides, last order and posting dates, party bookings, holiday hours | 3 to 4 weeks before |
United States
Federal holiday dates are from the US Office of Personnel Management. Post your hours for each one, open or closed.
Halloween: 31 Oct 2026 · Thanksgiving: 26 Nov 2026 · Black Friday: 27 Nov 2026 · Small Business Saturday: 28 Nov 2026 · Hanukkah: from sundown 4 Dec to 12 Dec 2026 · Christmas: 25 Dec 2026 · New Year's Day: 1 Jan 2027 · Valentine's Day: 14 Feb 2027 · Mother's Day: 9 May 2027 · Memorial Day: 31 May 2027 · Father's Day: 20 Jun 2027 · Independence Day: 4 Jul 2027 (observed Mon 5 Jul) · Labor Day: 6 Sep 2027
| When | Holiday or moment | Matters most to | What to post | Start posting |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 February | Valentine's Day | Cafés, florists, bakeries, jewellery | Set menus, bouquets, gift boxes, pre-orders | 3 weeks before |
| May (second Sunday) | Mother's Day | Cafés, bakeries, florists, salons | Brunch bookings, cakes, bouquets, treatment vouchers | 2 weeks before |
| June (third Sunday) | Father's Day | F&B, retail, barbers | Gifts, set meals, grooming packages | 2 weeks before |
| Late May to early September | Memorial Day, 4 July and Labor Day | F&B, outdoor, retail | Summer menus, cookout orders, long weekend hours | 1 week before |
| 31 October | Halloween | F&B, bakeries, retail, kids' classes | Themed treats and drinks, costumes, kids' events | 2 weeks before |
| November (fourth Thursday) | Thanksgiving | F&B, bakeries, florists | Pies and sides to order, catering, centrepieces, holiday hours | 2 to 3 weeks before |
| Late November | Black Friday and Small Business Saturday | Retail, gifts, salons | Gift edits, gift cards, a shop-local post, your real offer and its end date | 2 weeks before |
| December | Christmas, Hanukkah and year end | F&B, retail, events | Party bookings, gift guides, shipping cut-offs, holiday hours | 3 weeks before |
How to plan a festive season, step by step
- 01
List the festivals your customers celebrate, and the ones you close for.
- 02
For each one, write down what you'll offer (a special, a gift set, pre-orders) and the last day to order.
- 03
Count back two to three weeks from that day: that's your first post.
- 04
Plan three posts per festival: an announcement, a reminder, and a last call before the cut-off.
- 05
Add a post with your holiday opening hours, and repeat it the day before.
- 06
After the festival, post a simple 'we're back' or 'thank you' to bring regulars back in.
Questions
When should a small business start posting for a festival?
Two to three weeks before, for anything customers order or book in advance, such as cakes, hampers, set menus or appointments. A simple greeting can go out on the day.
Should I post during Ramadan if my business isn't food?
Yes. Many businesses change their hours during Ramadan, and customers want to know. Keep posts respectful and practical: hours, services and anything you're offering for Eid (Hari Raya in Malaysia).
How often should I post during a festive season?
More often than usual, but each post should say something useful: what's available, how to order, when you're open. A simple pattern is an early announcement, a reminder, and a last call before the cut-off.
Do I need to post for every festival?
No. Post for the festivals your customers celebrate and the days you change your hours. A post that doesn't fit your business is worse than no post.
How can Suara help with festive posts?
Suara plans your month around the festivals that matter to your customers, makes the posts in your own look and voice from your real photos, and posts them to Instagram and Facebook after you approve each one. The brand scan is free.
