Marketing calendar · checked 25 Oct 2026
Twelve months of Aussie dates worth planning for.
Public holidays, school holidays, retail moments and big events from now to next spring, each with a small-business idea. Most dates link to the official page they came from; dates marked "by custom" have no official issuer. Dates change, so check the source before you print anything.
November 2026
- Mon 2 NovPublic holidayTas (areas that don't observe Royal Hobart Regatta)
Recreation Day
Idea: Post your long-weekend hours early and offer a simple Monday brunch special for locals staying home.
- Tue 3 NovPublic holidayVic (some regional councils hold a different local holiday)
Melbourne Cup Day
Idea: Take bookings for a set-menu long lunch, or open early for hat-friendly styling and express blow-dry slots.
- Wed 11 NovRetail momentNationalBy custom
Singles' Day
Idea: Try a small treat-yourself bundle, like a solo coffee-and-pastry pair or a single self-care add-on at a set price.
Go gently: Also Remembrance Day: keep promos away from the 11am minute's silence.
- 21 – 27 NovCultureQld
Schoolies Week (Gold Coast)
Idea: Gold Coast cafés and shops can stock grab-and-go breakfasts, water and sunscreen, and open earlier near the beach.
Go gently: Many school leavers are under 18, so keep any promotion alcohol-free.
- Fri 27 NovRetail momentNationalBy custom
Black Friday
Idea: Run one genuine, time-limited offer such as a gift-card bonus or bundled product pack, and keep any 'was' price honest.
Go gently: Gift cards must be valid for at least 3 years under the ACL.
- Sat 28 NovRetail momentNationalBy custom
Small Business Saturday (US-origin)
Idea: Team up with neighbouring shops on a shop-local walking trail, or offer a free tasting of a new menu item.
- Mon 30 NovRetail momentNationalBy custom
Cyber Monday
Idea: Push online gift vouchers and pre-booked December appointments so the offer suits people shopping on their phone.
December 2026
- 12 Dec – 26 JanSchool holidaysQld
Summer school holidays (Qld state schools)
Idea: Add family-friendly morning slots or kids' holiday classes, and update your holiday trading hours on Google.
- 18 Dec – 27 JanSchool holidaysNSW (Western division to 3 Feb)
Summer school holidays (NSW, Eastern division) (students back Wed 3 Feb)
Idea: Launch a summer menu or a teen holiday gym pass and promote it the week before school breaks up.
- 21 Dec – 27 JanSchool holidaysVic
Summer school holidays (Vic)
Idea: Offer bookable holiday slots for teens, then run a back-to-school haircut or uniform-fitting week in late January.
- Thu 24 DecPublic holidayQld (from 6pm); NT, SA (from 7pm)
Christmas Eve (evening public holiday)
Idea: Check penalty rates before late trading, and promote pre-ordered platters and gift vouchers for pick-up before close.
- Fri 25 DecPublic holidayNational
Christmas Day
Idea: Share closure hours early and take Christmas pre-orders for cakes, platters or gift vouchers well before the day.
- Sat 26 DecPublic holidayACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA
Boxing Day (SA: Proclamation Day)
Idea: Clear seasonal stock with a clearly priced Boxing Day offer, or open for post-Christmas coffees and walk-in trims.
- Mon 28 DecPublic holidayNational
Additional Boxing Day public holiday (Tas: Boxing Day)
Idea: Post updated hours and offer a quiet-week special for people on leave between Christmas and New Year.
- Thu 31 DecPublic holidayNT, SA
New Year's Eve (evening public holiday)
Idea: Promote early pick-up party platters or a pre-party styling package, and close on time to cover evening penalty rates.
January 2027
- Fri 1 JanPublic holidayNational
New Year's Day
Idea: Open bookings for a January reset program, such as a 4-week class pack or a hair-and-skin refresh, listing exactly what's included.
- 11 – 31 JanSportVic
Australian Open (Melbourne Park)
Idea: Offer a summer-of-tennis themed smoothie or snack box for the fortnight, without using tournament names or logos in your branding.
- Tue 26 JanPublic holidayNational
Australia Day
Idea: Post clear public holiday hours and any surcharge, and keep promotions low-key and community-focused.
Go gently: Many First Nations people mark 26 January as a day of mourning (Invasion Day or Survival Day). Avoid celebratory flag-themed sales and keep messaging respectful.
- Wed 27 JanSchool holidaysQld, Vic
Term 1 starts (Qld; Vic students start Thu 28 Jan)
Idea: Introduce a school-drop-off coffee loyalty card or a short weekday-morning class timed for parents.
February 2027
- Wed 3 FebSchool holidaysNSW (Western division 10 Feb)
Term 1 starts for students (NSW, Eastern division)
Idea: Run a back-to-routine weekday special for parents after drop-off, like a coffee and toastie combo.
- Sat 6 FebCultureNational
Lunar New Year
Idea: Work with staff or local community groups who celebrate to mark it authentically, for example a mandarin-and-tea pairing or red-envelope gift voucher.
- Mon 8 FebPublic holidayTas (certain areas)
Royal Hobart Regatta
Idea: Hobart-area businesses can post Regatta Day hours and sell picnic-ready takeaway packs.
- Sun 14 FebRetail momentNationalBy custom
Valentine's Day
Idea: It falls on a Sunday, so open bookings for couples' brunch, paired treatments or a partner workout, and sell last-minute gift vouchers.
- Sun 28 Feb (AEDT)SportNational
NRL season kick-off (Las Vegas) (Las Vegas game; Australian broadcast time TBC)
Idea: Pin the season fixture near the counter and offer a team-colours drink or snack in the opening week.
March 2027
- Mon 1 MarPublic holidayWA
Labour Day
Idea: Promote a long-weekend recovery session, like a stretch class or a quiet Monday coffee with extended hours.
- Sat 6 MarCultureNSW (Sydney)
Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras Parade
Idea: If you give to a cause, name the charity and the exact amount or percentage, then actually donate and keep the receipt.
Go gently: Avoid tokenistic rainbow branding that isn't backed by year-round support.
- Mon 8 MarPublic holidayVic
Labour Day
Idea: Open for long-weekend walk-ins and post your public holiday surcharge clearly at the counter and online.
- Mon 8 MarPublic holidayTas
Eight Hours Day
Idea: Share holiday hours and suggest a slow-morning special for locals enjoying the long weekend.
- Mon 8 MarPublic holidayACT
Canberra Day
Idea: Canberra cafés can offer picnic boxes for local events and post holiday trading hours.
- Mon 8 MarPublic holidaySA
Adelaide Cup Day
Idea: Offer morning styling slots or a set-menu long lunch for people heading out on the public holiday.
- 11 – 15 MarSportVic
150th anniversary cricket Test, Australia v England (MCG)
Idea: Businesses near the MCG can open early and sell a grab-and-go match-day lunch pack.
- 17 or 18 Mar – 21 MarSportNational
AFL season Round 1
Idea: Gyms can start a pre-season style conditioning class, and cafés can post match-day hours for nearby grounds.
- 26 Mar – 11 AprSchool holidaysQld
Easter school holidays (Qld)
Idea: Run kids' craft or junior fitness sessions, or a parent-and-child haircut booking window.
- 26 Mar – 11 AprSchool holidaysVic
Easter school holidays (Vic)
Idea: Offer a holiday activity pack, like a kids' cookie-decorating session or a teen beginner class.
- Fri 26 MarPublic holidayNational
Good Friday
Idea: Post closures or reduced hours early, and offer hot cross bun or seafood pre-orders for pick-up beforehand.
Go gently: A religious observance and a restricted trading day in Vic, so keep promotions low-key.
- Sat 27 MarPublic holidayACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic (not Tas, WA)
Easter Saturday
Idea: Run a free family Easter egg hunt in-store, with no purchase needed to join.
- Sun 28 MarPublic holidayACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Vic, WA
Easter Sunday
Idea: Take brunch bookings for family groups and list any public holiday surcharge on the menu.
- Mon 29 MarPublic holidayNational
Easter Monday
Idea: Promote a post-Easter reset, like an open gym session or a fresh juice special.
- Tue 30 MarPublic holidayTas (mainly public service)
Easter Tuesday
Idea: Expect quieter Hobart CBD trade, and post adjusted hours if you are near government offices.
April 2027
- 8 – 11 AprSportNational
AFL Gather Round
Idea: Show off team colours with a footy-weekend menu board or a team-colour nail art option.
- 12 – 23 AprSchool holidaysNSW
Autumn school holidays (NSW) (students back Thu 29 Apr)
Idea: Offer weekday family brunch deals or junior classes, since NSW breaks two weeks after Qld and Vic.
- Sun 25 AprPublic holidayACT, NSW, SA, Tas, Vic, WA (Qld, NT: holiday is Mon 26 Apr)
Anzac Day
Idea: Post your opening hours and, if you open after dawn services, simply welcome the community without a sales message.
Go gently: A day of commemoration, not a sale day. Using the word 'Anzac' commercially needs ministerial permission under the Protection of Word 'Anzac' Regulations 1921 (apply through DVA). Restricted trading day in Vic.
- Mon 26 AprPublic holidayACT, NSW, NT, Qld, WA (not SA, Tas, Vic) (Qld, NT: replaces Sunday)
Anzac Day public holiday (Monday)
Idea: Update Monday hours and surcharges on Google and social so customers know what to expect.
Go gently: Still part of the Anzac commemoration, so no 'Anzac' wording in promotions without DVA permission.
May 2027
- Mon 3 MayPublic holidayQld
Labour Day
Idea: Brisbane and regional Qld businesses can offer a long-weekend recovery session or a slow-brunch menu.
- Mon 3 MayPublic holidayNT
May Day
Idea: Post holiday hours and offer a takeaway picnic pack for a long weekend outdoors.
- Sun 9 MayRetail momentNationalBy custom
Mother's Day
Idea: Open bookings two weeks out for brunch tables, pamper packages or gift vouchers, with a set number of slots.
- 28 May – 19 JunCultureNSW (Sydney)
Vivid Sydney
Idea: City businesses can stay open later on festival nights and offer a warm takeaway drink for people walking the light trail.
- Mon 31 MayPublic holidayACT
Reconciliation Day
Idea: Post holiday hours and, if you want to mark it, share a local First Nations-led event or business instead of an offer.
Go gently: Marks reconciliation between First Nations and non-Indigenous Australians, so it's not a sales occasion. Keep any post reflective and respectful.
June 2027
- Mon 7 JunPublic holidayWA
Western Australia Day
Idea: Feature WA-grown produce or local makers on your shelves or menu for the long weekend.
- Mon 14 JunPublic holidayACT, NSW, NT, SA, Tas, Vic
King's Birthday
Idea: Launch a winter menu or warming treatment for the long weekend and post holiday hours.
- 26 Jun – 11 JulSchool holidaysQld
Winter school holidays (Qld)
Idea: Offer indoor kids' activities or junior gym sessions on rainy weekdays.
- 26 Jun – 11 JulSchool holidaysVic
Winter school holidays (Vic)
Idea: Run a hot-chocolate-and-activity morning for families or a teen beginner class block.
- Wed 30 JunRetail momentNational
End of financial year (EOFY)
Idea: Run an honest stock clearance, or promote prepaid class packs and gift vouchers, without giving tax advice.
Go gently: Gift cards must be valid for at least 3 years under the ACL.
July 2027
- 5 – 16 JulSchool holidaysNSW
Winter school holidays (NSW) (students back Tue 20 Jul)
Idea: Offer a weekday family special or a holiday class pass for teens while NSW schools are out.
August 2027
- Mon 2 AugPublic holidayNT
Picnic Day
Idea: Sell ready-to-go picnic packs and cold drinks for the long weekend.
- Wed 11 AugPublic holidayQld (Brisbane area only)
Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) public holiday
Idea: Brisbane cafés can offer a country-show themed treat, like a strawberry sundae special, for the midweek holiday.
September 2027
- Sun 5 SepRetail momentNationalBy custom
Father's Day
Idea: Offer a dad-and-kid breakfast booking, a barber-style grooming add-on, or a gift voucher shelf by the counter.
- 18 Sep – 4 OctSchool holidaysQld
Spring school holidays (Qld)
Idea: Run outdoor junior fitness or family brunch deals for the warmer weather.
- 18 Sep – 3 OctSchool holidaysVic
Spring school holidays (Vic)
Idea: Offer holiday workshops or teen styling sessions, and plan around the footy finals crowds.
- Mon 27 SepPublic holidayWA (some regional areas differ)
King's Birthday
Idea: Promote a spring long-weekend special, such as a fresh seasonal menu or an outdoor group class.
- 27 Sep – 8 OctSchool holidaysNSW
Spring school holidays (NSW)
Idea: Offer bookable family slots or kids' classes, and remind parents about the Labour Day long weekend.
October 2027
- Fri 1 Oct (expected)Public holidayVic
Friday before the AFL Grand Final public holiday (date TBC)
Idea: Plan rosters and penalty rates early, and confirm the date once it's announced.
- Sat 2 OctSportNational
AFL Grand Final
Idea: Take pre-orders for Grand Final party platters, or offer a team-colours blow-dry or nail option, without using league logos.
- Mon 4 OctPublic holidayACT, NSW, SA
Labour Day
Idea: Post long-weekend hours and run a spring cleaning-out sale or a fresh-start class pack.
- Mon 4 OctPublic holidayQld
King's Birthday
Idea: It's also the last day of Qld school holidays, so offer a family brunch or a back-to-school haircut slot.
- Thu 21 OctPublic holidayTas (certain areas, incl. Hobart)
Royal Hobart Show
Idea: Hobart businesses can post holiday hours and offer a show-day takeaway treat.
- Sun 31 OctCultureNationalBy custom
Halloween
Idea: Hand out free treats to costumed kids, or offer a spooky-themed drink or nail design for the weekend. Label allergens on any treats.
