12 Months of Restaurant Promotions and Special Events in 2025 – let’s party!
Everyone likes a celebration, and there are dozens of opportunities throughout the year, apart from Valentine’s Day, Mother’s, Father’s Day and Christmas. Use these restaurant event ideas to take your promotions to the next level, every month of the year – it could be a day, or a week, or just an acknowledgment of special people. Check the exact dates; some vary slightly each year…
Restaurant Events in January
New Year’s Day, 1 January. Celebrating new beginnings, optimism, a fresh start and new year resolutions.
National Trivia Day, 4 January – endless possibilities!
Martin Luther King Jr Day (US) – 15 January
Australia Day, January 26. On Australia Day, we honour our country’s ideals and freedoms. It’s time for backyard barbeques, beers with friends, and a picnic. It’s also a time to remember the first people who lived in Australia before Europeans arrived.
Lunar New Year, January 29. 2025 will be the Year of the Snake for people in China, and there are extended holidays in many Asian countries. Look for decorations in local Asian supply shops, and ask your staff for ideas – it’s all about food and festivities.
Big Sporting Events. Be ready to celebrate with your customers, or know they might stay home with the TV. Major dates for Australia and New Zealand.
12-Month Planner for Community Support – dozens of ideas for supporting non-profit and community groups throughout the year.
Restaurant Events in February
Waitangi Day, February 6. New Zealand observes the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British and the Māori inhabitants, guaranteeing rights to their land and culture: a public holiday and an opportunity to celebrate.
Valentine’s Day, February 14. Start the party a week before and promote a week of love. Since delivery is so important now, make special Valentine’s Day delivery packs with items like flowers and treats in the shape of hearts. Work with other local businesses and trade benefits to include them. Check out our big, new collection of Valentine’s Week promotions.
World Pizza Day – 9 February
Ramadan, 27 February – 29 March 2025. A Muslim time of daytime fasting, prayers and acts of generosity and compassion towards others. Breaking the fast each evening is important, and Eid al-Fitr is the celebration at the end of Ramadan, with a 3-day festival. There are often street fairs with food in areas with a large Muslim population.
Restaurant & Cafe Events in March
National Barista Day, March 1. Celebrate the most important person in your cafe!
Academy Awards, 3 March 2025. Plenty of excitement in the lead-up to Oscar nominations and celebrating the winners.
International Women’s Day, March 8. Honour your customers and your staff. There are many ways to celebrate the event – this is marketing with a heart. Make it a week, not just a day. Show the women who work in the business and explain what they do. Include a group picture and make sure to call out the women who have been there the longest. Talk about women like a chef, a cousin, or maybe a teacher who encourages your staff. Share a food-related angle, such as favourite recipes from mums and grandmas. Support a cause that helps women, like a local women’s centre or a foreign aid project that helps women and families.
Pi Day, 14 March. That’s pi as in 3.14159264… the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, and it’s an ‘irrational number’… that sounds very hospo!
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Most parties are built around food, drink, and music. You could serve green beer, Irish food, and some popular treats with a green tint. A trivia quiz is fun, and if you have any Irish staff, ask them how to say Irish names – it can be hard to get them right. People often drink too much on this day, so keep an eye out for Responsible Service of Alcohol and make sure everyone gets home safely. Party stores are full of shamrocks and other Irish decorations.
Earth Hour, 22 March – 8.30pm. An opportunity to promote your sustainability activities and encourage customers to share theirs. Consider switching to candlelight for an hour if you’re open in the evening.
Grateful Day can be at any time. Share an image on social media expressing your gratitude for a terrific team, nice customers, beautiful weather, or a new family. Use the #grateful hashtag.
World Backup Day – 31 March. Why not remind customers about this in your newsletter or social posts? Do your POS and computer systems back up automatically 24/7?
👍 Looking for a theme for every day of the year? DaysOfTheYear is a great site for inspiration.
Event Bookings – the Customer’s Unspoken Questions How will you reassure them? Questions include: – How much will it all finally cost? – Will they be strict about paying for no-shows? – What are some of the things that could go wrong? – What have I forgotten to ask for that will cost more later? – Will there be enough food? – How do they handle dietaries so people aren’t embarrassed? – Will there be food that everyone will want to eat? – Will I be criticised for anything after the event? – How do they handle people who drink too much? Use an FAQ section on your website events page to answer some of these questions, and raise them, if appropriate, when you talk to them personally.
Restaurant Events in April
April Fool’s Day, 1 April. Jokes and tricks are OK until 12 midday – what almost-believable announcement can you make?
Easter, 18 April – 21 April 2025. This is a special time in the Christian calendar to remember the death and resurrection of Christ. The 40 days before Easter are called Lent and often involve dietary changes, such as eating fish instead of meat, especially on Friday. It’s also become a significant commercial holiday and celebration in many countries, associated with Easter eggs, chocolate, and rabbits.
International Flat White Day, April 23. The flat white is a distinctive coffee style originating from Australia and New Zealand, and now enjoyed around the world.
Boss’s Birthday, anytime – similar to the Birthday of the Business. Any chance to celebrate is a good one in hospitality – share those old photos, even the ones of you as a baby!
🎈 Red Envelope Promotion, anytime. Offer a dramatically sealed envelope to every customer when they pay their account. It contains a special prize that can only be redeemed when they return, after a date you nominate! Run the promotion occasionally – it works on the power of surprise. Or make some quieter days ‘red envelope days’. The message on the envelope will read something like: ‘This envelope contains a secret prize. Return before (date) with the envelope still sealed, and you will receive the prize inside. You could win a free beverage, a free meal, free dessert or a $20 gift voucher. If you open the envelope before returning, the prize is invalid.’
Anzac Day, AU and NZ – Friday 25 April 2025.
Restaurant Events in May
International Sauvignon Blanc Day, 2 May. The wine that put New Zealand on the map!
Star Wars Day, 4 May – may the Fourth be with you! Time for all the fanatics to bring out their light sabres.
World Laughter Day, 5 May – time to share jokes, funny stories or something from a favourite comedian. Ask people for best or worst jokes, and share a silly YouTube video – maybe have a Joke Jar on the counter that people can pull one from when they order their coffee.
International Nurses Day, May 12. Celebrating the people who care for us, our families and loved ones. Especially appreciated after the Covid pandemic – how can you honour them?
Mother’s Day, May 11 2025. Promote it well ahead of time and prepare a special menu. Make meals for the whole family and meals that can be sent to a mother or parents who are eating alone. Plus a Mother’s Day Gift – one of your vouchers! Ask customers and staff to post pictures with their mums on your Facebook page – a nice way to make it more personal. Make a sheet of your favourite quotes about mothers and put it in the delivery bags, and yes there are Mum Jokes… not nearly as bad as Dad Jokes! Here are many more ways to Energise Your Mother’s Day Restaurant Marketing
International Tea Day, 21 May – celebrate the world’s favourite beverage. Offering a variety of teas can make a beverage sale to many people who ‘don’t drink coffee’ – what’s on your menu? It’s also good to share about the origins of tea and the women who pick it – they need support.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, 23 May – an annual event to raise funds for cancer support programs. Good to leverage this day as it has widespread recognition and support. Date TBC
Memorial Day, US – 27 May
Restaurant Events in June
World Environment Day, 5 June. Raising awareness and encouraging action to protect the environment. Highlight local issues you could highlight, and there are many ways to share your achievements.
National Donut Day, June 7. Because everyone loves them with coffee or as a treat.
King’s Birthday Holiday. Monday June 9 in Australia and June 2 in New Zealand (2025). Most Australian states have a long weekend, and your promotion can run the week before and after. Find food and drinks with a royal connection. Add Princess Kate, Prince William and Prince Harry, and your neighbourhood republicans to the guest list. Add a sparkly fake crown from the party store if a delivery order exceeds a certain amount.
National Rosé Day, 14 June. The much-loved wine that needs to be taken seriously!
Matariki Public Holiday in New Zealand, 20 June2025 – The predawn rising of the Matariki stars in the mid-winter sky marks the changing of the seasons and the beginning of the Māori New Year.
Winter or Summer Solstice, Shortest or Longest Day of the Year, 21 June – according to the southern or northern hemisphere.
National Selfie Day, 21 June – OK, that’s almost every day for some of your staff. Run a competition for customers sharing a selfie plus a special hashtag onto your socials, with a random lucky draw.
Pride Month. Celebrate with your LGBTQ+ employees and customers – share achievements, support local events and add rainbow colours 🌈
Graduation Parties, mid-year and end of the year. Graduating students are ready to celebrate with their friends and families – find the dates from local colleges and universities and be ready to host or promote celebrations, from big parties to family meals.
Big Sporting Events, anytime. Be ready to celebrate with your customers, or know they might stay home with the TV. Major dates for Australia and New Zealand.
Cafe and Restaurant Events in July
Christmas in July. For restaurants in the southern hemisphere, Christmas comes twice a year. Add traditional meat and vegetables, seafood, desserts, and some naughty Santa cocktails. Include bonbons and a Christmas card in delivery bags, and decorate your social media pages for the holiday.
Independence Day, US – 4 July
World Chocolate Day, 7 July… make it a week! Why does chocolate make people so happy? This is about adding desserts to meal orders or special treats with coffee. You can also use chocolate in a lot of savoury recipes. Add information in a flier for delivery bags and on your social media about why chocolate is so addicting. Add some YouTube videos on social media about where chocolate comes from and how it is made. And chocolate crackles? Old-fashioned, much loved, and so easy to make – a treat to sell as a fund-raiser to support a local non-profit.
International French Fries Day – 11 July
Bastille Day, July 14. When the French celebrate their revolution in 1789, and there will surely be some French influences on your menu! 🇫🇷
International Wine & Cheese Day – 25 July
Harry Potter’s Birthday – 31 July. Drinks could be Butterbeer: A non-alcoholic drink that can be made with cream soda, butterscotch syrup, and whipped cream, or Felix Felicis Latte: A golden turmeric latte, also known as a golden milk latte. Food could be Chocolate Frogs: Frog-shaped chocolates, which can be made using a frog mould, or Treacle Tart: Harry’s favourite dessert, a sweet tart made with golden syrup or treacle. Your team’s Potterheads will have lots more ideas, and they haven’t even started on what to wear!
🥑 National Avocado Day – 31 July. Where would cafes be without this menu staple?
12-Month Planner for Community Support – dozens of ideas for supporting non-profit and community groups throughout the year.
Dry July. Non-alcoholic options are so much more popular – especially beers and cocktails. Add options to your beverage list and see which ones earn a place all through the year.
Restaurant Events in August
🍺 International Beer Day – 1 August
🐈 International Cat Day – 8 August. There are dog people and there are cat people – ask your customers which one they are…
🥂 World Prosecco Day – 13 August. You know what to do if you’re an Italian cafe or restaurant!
🇮🇹 Ferragosto – 15 August. Celebrated throughout Italy, a holiday celebrating the Emperor Augustus.
Book Week, 16 – 23 August. Huge in schools, with costumes and celebrations. Join the party by sharing the chef’s favourite food and cooking books (check dates).
World Photography Day, 19 August – celebrate your favourite photos from the venue. Some on the wall (instant photo prints are now so cheap) and a selection on your socials with the hashtag #WorldPhotographyDay – maybe even a competition leading up to the day?
🐕🦺 International Dog Day – 26 August. Share photos of customers with their dogs…
International Bacon Day – August 30. Plenty to celebrate, including those once-a-year maple bacon muffins, available for pre-order only in boxes of 6!
August is Travel Month. Ask customers and staff to share travel pictures and stories on social media and the destinations on their bucket list. Find travel videos on YouTube and add them to your Facebook Page or Instagram. If you have a Greek restaurant, share travel photos from Greece. If you have a Vietnamese restaurant, share pictures, posters and videos from Vietnam.
Birthday of the Business, anytime – a celebration where customers receive the treats! It could be a shared cake or lucky envelopes (see the Red Envelope promotion above) with secret gifts to bring people back for another visit. Share photos from your first day and first year – the menu, the interior, younger faces and hopeful smiles! Lots more great business birthday ideas here!
Restaurant and Cafe Events in September
Father’s Day, September 7 – AU & NZ. It’s time for some special menu items that dads and grandfathers will like. If that fits your menu style, smoked meats and craft beers can be a treat – is now a good time to buy a smoker? Think beyond the standard Dad, Mum, and Kids situation: embrace single dads, stepdads, and fathers who can’t see their kids on the day. Find Dad Jokes online or on YouTube, and start sharing them on social media in the weeks leading up to the event. Add pictures of workers with their dads or grandfathers and a few words of thanks to your Facebook page. If you send out email promotions, reach out to people who booked for Mother’s Day. If you run social media ads, target women and suggest they take the opportunity to treat their partners and fathers. This works! Here are more Fresh Ideas for Father’s Day Restaurant Marketing.
Grateful Day – it can be at any time; share an image on social media and your gratefulness for a terrific team, nice customers, beautiful weather or new family… Use the #grateful hashtag.
RUOK Day – 11 September. Supporting mental health, when people are urged to support colleagues and friends struggling with life’s difficulties by asking, ‘are you OK?’
Restaurant and Cafe Events in October
🩷 Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October – an opportunity to raise awareness and host fundraising events, for a cause that affects so many women. Pink is the theme for your catering.
International Coffee Day, 1 October. Celebrate the bean, how it can be prepared, and the people who grow it and make it for us. Plus, coffee desserts and special deals on bags of beans and brewing equipment.
World Vegetarian Day, 1 October – more than 10% of your customers are vegetarian; it’s time to celebrate!
World Animal Day, 4 October – celebrate pets, wildlife conservation, local bird life…
🍺 Octoberfest – so many ways to celebrate all types of beer, including in cooking. Don’t forget to have a selection from your local craft brewery and a good range of non-alcoholic brands.
International Beer & Pizza Day – 9 October
Columbus Day, US – 13 October
World Food Day – 16 October
Pay Back a Friend Day, 17 October – definitely a good cause, and instead of paying back a friend in cash, why not treat them to dinner or drinks at your place?
International Chefs Day, 20 October. Share their stories, their favourite dishes, and their craft. Add a demonstration and let the chef show off her knives, cutting skills and favourite cookbooks. Plenty of YouTube videos to add to your social media.
Diwali, 18-23 October 2025. Also called Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It’s a brilliant opportunity for Indian restaurants to light up and celebrate.
World Pasta Day – 25 October. Because everyone loves Italian food!
National Vegemite Day – 25 October. The anniversary of the launch of the “Happy Little Vegemites” advertising campaign in 1954.
WorldTeachers Day, October 5. Often extended into Teacher Appreciation Week (earlier in the year – varies by country) – celebrate the people who teach our children and employees. Dates vary internationally.
🍾 Champagne Day – 24 October. Time to pop the corks!
Grandparents Day, 26 October. This is another great opportunity to celebrate family and bring them together at your venue… or enjoy your catering.
Halloween, October 31. In Australia and New Zealand, trick-or-treating is more about kids dressing up and collecting in the street, but there are many great recipes you could use as ideas – Google “Halloween food ideas”. Find costumes for your staff, and put Halloween candies in the delivery bags. Check out our big, new collection of Halloween Promotions for adults.
November Restaurant Events
Movember – raising awareness of men’s health and related issues in November. Moustaches on special cupcakes for an event you promote?
World Vegan Day, 1 November – the demand for vegan food keeps growing, especially with female customers. Here’s your chance to party!
Day of the Dead, 2 November – families honour the memories of departed loved ones by inviting them back for a joyful reunion. An opportunity for family and friends to gather, share stories, and celebrate memories. A great event if you have a Mexican or South American theme.
Melbourne Cup, 4 November. Fancy hats, lucky prizes and competitions – the celebration depends on the style of your venue, but when the nation stops to watch the race, make sure you have something special to help celebrate the wins.
Singles Day, November 11. Popular in China, it is a day to celebrate and treat yourself. Care is needed, as this is also celebrated as a day for honouring the war dead.
World Kindness Day, November 13 – who can you acknowledge in your team or community?
International Espresso Day – 23 November
Black Friday & Cyber Monday – November 28 & Dec 1. These shopping events are becoming bigger every year, so why not join in? Black Friday is a chance to sell party packs at a discount or a one-day sale on Monday night bookings. Offer a bonus for future bookings, such as “half-price room rental if booked today,” “half-price beverage packages,” or “12 group bookings for the price of 10 in January.” The important thing is to use this chance to make more sales, not to cut prices on items that already sell well.
Cyber Monday is for digital deals, which are similar to Black Friday, so the deals can only be bought online.
Thanksgiving Day, US – 28 November
December Restaurant Events
International Pastry Day, 9 December
Summer or Winter Solstice, Longest or Shortest Day of the Year, 21 December – according to the northern or southern hemisphere.
Festivus, 23 December – a tongue-in-cheek holiday for those who want an alternative to the commercialism of Christmas. From the 90’s sitcom Seinfeld.
Christmas Day, 25 December – the most holy day of the year for Christians, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day, 26 December – a holiday in Australia, New Zealand and many Commonwealth countries.
Christmas celebrations all through the month. Sell catering for the home, staff parties, and traditional bookings at your venue. Start the promotion by August at the latest, and work on selling the less popular days of the week (Monday and Tuesday) by adding extras at no cost e.g. decorations, party favours, arrival drinks or extended room hire time.
Special Occasions and Birthdays for Restaurant Events
Special Birthdays: Don’t forget the 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays, and offer to organise a special cake as part of the service. Even a baby’s first birthday is now a big deal for new parents. The data on your birthday club probably doesn’t have a date of birth, but you can add gentle reminders every few months.
Special Celebrations. The anniversary of a wedding, a retirement, or the anniversary of moving into a new home. When you share these suggestions, people start to think of you as a place where they can find answers. And what can you do for people who want to have a party at home?
Host a Networking Event anytime. It’s a great way to build local connections and future visits. Send invitations to your email list, and promote on socials. Collaborate with local businesses for added exposure, and invite guest speakers or host panel discussions on business topics. Provide high-quality food and drinks that showcase your offering, and if you don’t have a separate space, run the events in your downtime – early morning or evening.
Plan Ahead for Better Results with your Restaurant Events
Start with a 12-month calendar – this way, events aren’t forgotten until the last minute, and you co-ordinate with seasonal activities eg school holidays & tourism. Use an online planner like Google Calendar so it can be shared easily.
Plan something distinctive for every month.
3 months prior, decide on the target audience, event or promotional concept and budget.
2 months prior, finalise logistics, menus, staffing, graphic design and advance notice on your newsletter and website.
1 month prior, roll out social media, posters, newsletter, advertising and press releases.
Don’t forget to create a unique #hashtag to encourage social sharing, and take lots of photos to promote it again next year!
Everyone likes a celebration, and there are dozens of opportunities throughout the year, apart from Valentine’s Day, Mother’s, Father’s Day and Christmas. Use these restaurant event ideas to take your promotions to the next level, every month of the year – it could be a day, or a week, or just an acknowledgment of special people. Check the exact dates; some vary slightly each year…
Restaurant Events in January
New Year’s Day, 1 January. Celebrating new beginnings, optimism, a fresh start and new year resolutions.
National Trivia Day, 4 January – endless possibilities!
Martin Luther King Jr Day (US) – 15 January
Australia Day, January 26. On Australia Day, we honour our country’s ideals and freedoms. It’s time for backyard barbeques, beers with friends, and a picnic. It’s also a time to remember the first people who lived in Australia before Europeans arrived.
Lunar New Year, January 29. 2025 will be the Year of the Snake for people in China, and there are extended holidays in many Asian countries. Look for decorations in local Asian supply shops, and ask your staff for ideas – it’s all about food and festivities.
Big Sporting Events. Be ready to celebrate with your customers, or know they might stay home with the TV. Major dates for Australia and New Zealand.
12-Month Planner for Community Support – dozens of ideas for supporting non-profit and community groups throughout the year.
Restaurant Events in February
Waitangi Day, February 6. New Zealand observes the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi between the British and the Māori inhabitants, guaranteeing rights to their land and culture: a public holiday and an opportunity to celebrate.
Valentine’s Day, February 14. Start the party a week before and promote a week of love. Since delivery is so important now, make special Valentine’s Day delivery packs with items like flowers and treats in the shape of hearts. Work with other local businesses and trade benefits to include them. Check out our big, new collection of Valentine’s Week promotions.
World Pizza Day – 9 February
Ramadan, 27 February – 29 March 2025. A Muslim time of daytime fasting, prayers and acts of generosity and compassion towards others. Breaking the fast each evening is important, and Eid al-Fitr is the celebration at the end of Ramadan, with a 3-day festival. There are often street fairs with food in areas with a large Muslim population.
Restaurant & Cafe Events in March
National Barista Day, March 1. Celebrate the most important person in your cafe!
Academy Awards, 3 March 2025. Plenty of excitement in the lead-up to Oscar nominations and celebrating the winners.
International Women’s Day, March 8. Honour your customers and your staff. There are many ways to celebrate the event – this is marketing with a heart. Make it a week, not just a day. Show the women who work in the business and explain what they do. Include a group picture and make sure to call out the women who have been there the longest. Talk about women like a chef, a cousin, or maybe a teacher who encourages your staff. Share a food-related angle, such as favourite recipes from mums and grandmas. Support a cause that helps women, like a local women’s centre or a foreign aid project that helps women and families.
Pi Day, 14 March. That’s pi as in 3.14159264… the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter, and it’s an ‘irrational number’… that sounds very hospo!
St. Patrick’s Day, March 17. Most parties are built around food, drink, and music. You could serve green beer, Irish food, and some popular treats with a green tint. A trivia quiz is fun, and if you have any Irish staff, ask them how to say Irish names – it can be hard to get them right. People often drink too much on this day, so keep an eye out for Responsible Service of Alcohol and make sure everyone gets home safely. Party stores are full of shamrocks and other Irish decorations.
Earth Hour, 22 March – 8.30pm. An opportunity to promote your sustainability activities and encourage customers to share theirs. Consider switching to candlelight for an hour if you’re open in the evening.
Grateful Day can be at any time. Share an image on social media expressing your gratitude for a terrific team, nice customers, beautiful weather, or a new family. Use the #grateful hashtag.
World Backup Day – 31 March. Why not remind customers about this in your newsletter or social posts? Do your POS and computer systems back up automatically 24/7?
👍 Looking for a theme for every day of the year? DaysOfTheYear is a great site for inspiration.
Event Bookings – the Customer’s Unspoken Questions
How will you reassure them? Questions include:
– How much will it all finally cost?
– Will they be strict about paying for no-shows?
– What are some of the things that could go wrong?
– What have I forgotten to ask for that will cost more later?
– Will there be enough food?
– How do they handle dietaries so people aren’t embarrassed?
– Will there be food that everyone will want to eat?
– Will I be criticised for anything after the event?
– How do they handle people who drink too much?
Use an FAQ section on your website events page to answer some of these questions, and raise them, if appropriate, when you talk to them personally.
Restaurant Events in April
April Fool’s Day, 1 April. Jokes and tricks are OK until 12 midday – what almost-believable announcement can you make?
Easter, 18 April – 21 April 2025. This is a special time in the Christian calendar to remember the death and resurrection of Christ. The 40 days before Easter are called Lent and often involve dietary changes, such as eating fish instead of meat, especially on Friday. It’s also become a significant commercial holiday and celebration in many countries, associated with Easter eggs, chocolate, and rabbits.
International Flat White Day, April 23. The flat white is a distinctive coffee style originating from Australia and New Zealand, and now enjoyed around the world.
Celebrate International Wine Days – here are dozens of options throughout the year.
Boss’s Birthday, anytime – similar to the Birthday of the Business. Any chance to celebrate is a good one in hospitality – share those old photos, even the ones of you as a baby!
🎈 Red Envelope Promotion, anytime. Offer a dramatically sealed envelope to every customer when they pay their account. It contains a special prize that can only be redeemed when they return, after a date you nominate! Run the promotion occasionally – it works on the power of surprise. Or make some quieter days ‘red envelope days’. The message on the envelope will read something like: ‘This envelope contains a secret prize. Return before (date) with the envelope still sealed, and you will receive the prize inside. You could win a free beverage, a free meal, free dessert or a $20 gift voucher. If you open the envelope before returning, the prize is invalid.’
Anzac Day, AU and NZ – Friday 25 April 2025.
Restaurant Events in May
International Sauvignon Blanc Day, 2 May. The wine that put New Zealand on the map!
Star Wars Day, 4 May – may the Fourth be with you! Time for all the fanatics to bring out their light sabres.
World Laughter Day, 5 May – time to share jokes, funny stories or something from a favourite comedian. Ask people for best or worst jokes, and share a silly YouTube video – maybe have a Joke Jar on the counter that people can pull one from when they order their coffee.
International Nurses Day, May 12. Celebrating the people who care for us, our families and loved ones. Especially appreciated after the Covid pandemic – how can you honour them?
Mother’s Day, May 11 2025. Promote it well ahead of time and prepare a special menu. Make meals for the whole family and meals that can be sent to a mother or parents who are eating alone. Plus a Mother’s Day Gift – one of your vouchers! Ask customers and staff to post pictures with their mums on your Facebook page – a nice way to make it more personal. Make a sheet of your favourite quotes about mothers and put it in the delivery bags, and yes there are Mum Jokes… not nearly as bad as Dad Jokes! Here are many more ways to Energise Your Mother’s Day Restaurant Marketing
International Tea Day, 21 May – celebrate the world’s favourite beverage. Offering a variety of teas can make a beverage sale to many people who ‘don’t drink coffee’ – what’s on your menu? It’s also good to share about the origins of tea and the women who pick it – they need support.
Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea, 23 May – an annual event to raise funds for cancer support programs. Good to leverage this day as it has widespread recognition and support. Date TBC
Memorial Day, US – 27 May
Restaurant Events in June
World Environment Day, 5 June. Raising awareness and encouraging action to protect the environment. Highlight local issues you could highlight, and there are many ways to share your achievements.
National Donut Day, June 7. Because everyone loves them with coffee or as a treat.
King’s Birthday Holiday. Monday June 9 in Australia and June 2 in New Zealand (2025). Most Australian states have a long weekend, and your promotion can run the week before and after. Find food and drinks with a royal connection. Add Princess Kate, Prince William and Prince Harry, and your neighbourhood republicans to the guest list. Add a sparkly fake crown from the party store if a delivery order exceeds a certain amount.
National Rosé Day, 14 June. The much-loved wine that needs to be taken seriously!
Father’s Day, USA – 15 June – here’s a bunch of Fresh Ideas for Father’s Day Restaurant Marketing.
Matariki Public Holiday in New Zealand, 20 June 2025 – The predawn rising of the Matariki stars in the mid-winter sky marks the changing of the seasons and the beginning of the Māori New Year.
Winter or Summer Solstice, Shortest or Longest Day of the Year, 21 June – according to the southern or northern hemisphere.
National Selfie Day, 21 June – OK, that’s almost every day for some of your staff. Run a competition for customers sharing a selfie plus a special hashtag onto your socials, with a random lucky draw.
Pride Month. Celebrate with your LGBTQ+ employees and customers – share achievements, support local events and add rainbow colours 🌈
Graduation Parties, mid-year and end of the year. Graduating students are ready to celebrate with their friends and families – find the dates from local colleges and universities and be ready to host or promote celebrations, from big parties to family meals.
Big Sporting Events, anytime. Be ready to celebrate with your customers, or know they might stay home with the TV. Major dates for Australia and New Zealand.
Cafe and Restaurant Events in July
Christmas in July. For restaurants in the southern hemisphere, Christmas comes twice a year. Add traditional meat and vegetables, seafood, desserts, and some naughty Santa cocktails. Include bonbons and a Christmas card in delivery bags, and decorate your social media pages for the holiday.
Independence Day, US – 4 July
World Chocolate Day, 7 July… make it a week! Why does chocolate make people so happy? This is about adding desserts to meal orders or special treats with coffee. You can also use chocolate in a lot of savoury recipes. Add information in a flier for delivery bags and on your social media about why chocolate is so addicting. Add some YouTube videos on social media about where chocolate comes from and how it is made. And chocolate crackles? Old-fashioned, much loved, and so easy to make – a treat to sell as a fund-raiser to support a local non-profit.
International French Fries Day – 11 July
Bastille Day, July 14. When the French celebrate their revolution in 1789, and there will surely be some French influences on your menu! 🇫🇷
International Wine & Cheese Day – 25 July
Harry Potter’s Birthday – 31 July. Drinks could be Butterbeer: A non-alcoholic drink that can be made with cream soda, butterscotch syrup, and whipped cream, or Felix Felicis Latte: A golden turmeric latte, also known as a golden milk latte. Food could be Chocolate Frogs: Frog-shaped chocolates, which can be made using a frog mould, or Treacle Tart: Harry’s favourite dessert, a sweet tart made with golden syrup or treacle. Your team’s Potterheads will have lots more ideas, and they haven’t even started on what to wear!
🥑 National Avocado Day – 31 July. Where would cafes be without this menu staple?
12-Month Planner for Community Support – dozens of ideas for supporting non-profit and community groups throughout the year.
Dry July. Non-alcoholic options are so much more popular – especially beers and cocktails. Add options to your beverage list and see which ones earn a place all through the year.
Restaurant Events in August
🍺 International Beer Day – 1 August
🐈 International Cat Day – 8 August. There are dog people and there are cat people – ask your customers which one they are…
🥂 World Prosecco Day – 13 August. You know what to do if you’re an Italian cafe or restaurant!
🇮🇹 Ferragosto – 15 August. Celebrated throughout Italy, a holiday celebrating the Emperor Augustus.
Book Week, 16 – 23 August. Huge in schools, with costumes and celebrations. Join the party by sharing the chef’s favourite food and cooking books (check dates).
World Photography Day, 19 August – celebrate your favourite photos from the venue. Some on the wall (instant photo prints are now so cheap) and a selection on your socials with the hashtag #WorldPhotographyDay – maybe even a competition leading up to the day?
🐕🦺 International Dog Day – 26 August. Share photos of customers with their dogs…
International Bacon Day – August 30. Plenty to celebrate, including those once-a-year maple bacon muffins, available for pre-order only in boxes of 6!
August is Travel Month. Ask customers and staff to share travel pictures and stories on social media and the destinations on their bucket list. Find travel videos on YouTube and add them to your Facebook Page or Instagram. If you have a Greek restaurant, share travel photos from Greece. If you have a Vietnamese restaurant, share pictures, posters and videos from Vietnam.
Birthday of the Business, anytime – a celebration where customers receive the treats! It could be a shared cake or lucky envelopes (see the Red Envelope promotion above) with secret gifts to bring people back for another visit. Share photos from your first day and first year – the menu, the interior, younger faces and hopeful smiles! Lots more great business birthday ideas here!
Restaurant and Cafe Events in September
Father’s Day, September 7 – AU & NZ. It’s time for some special menu items that dads and grandfathers will like. If that fits your menu style, smoked meats and craft beers can be a treat – is now a good time to buy a smoker? Think beyond the standard Dad, Mum, and Kids situation: embrace single dads, stepdads, and fathers who can’t see their kids on the day. Find Dad Jokes online or on YouTube, and start sharing them on social media in the weeks leading up to the event. Add pictures of workers with their dads or grandfathers and a few words of thanks to your Facebook page. If you send out email promotions, reach out to people who booked for Mother’s Day. If you run social media ads, target women and suggest they take the opportunity to treat their partners and fathers. This works! Here are more Fresh Ideas for Father’s Day Restaurant Marketing.
Grateful Day – it can be at any time; share an image on social media and your gratefulness for a terrific team, nice customers, beautiful weather or new family… Use the #grateful hashtag.
RUOK Day – 11 September. Supporting mental health, when people are urged to support colleagues and friends struggling with life’s difficulties by asking, ‘are you OK?’
Restaurant and Cafe Events in October
🩷 Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October – an opportunity to raise awareness and host fundraising events, for a cause that affects so many women. Pink is the theme for your catering.
International Coffee Day, 1 October. Celebrate the bean, how it can be prepared, and the people who grow it and make it for us. Plus, coffee desserts and special deals on bags of beans and brewing equipment.
World Vegetarian Day, 1 October – more than 10% of your customers are vegetarian; it’s time to celebrate!
World Animal Day, 4 October – celebrate pets, wildlife conservation, local bird life…
🍺 Octoberfest – so many ways to celebrate all types of beer, including in cooking. Don’t forget to have a selection from your local craft brewery and a good range of non-alcoholic brands.
International Beer & Pizza Day – 9 October
Columbus Day, US – 13 October
World Food Day – 16 October
Pay Back a Friend Day, 17 October – definitely a good cause, and instead of paying back a friend in cash, why not treat them to dinner or drinks at your place?
International Chefs Day, 20 October. Share their stories, their favourite dishes, and their craft. Add a demonstration and let the chef show off her knives, cutting skills and favourite cookbooks. Plenty of YouTube videos to add to your social media.
Diwali, 18-23 October 2025. Also called Deepavali, is the Hindu festival of lights. It’s a brilliant opportunity for Indian restaurants to light up and celebrate.
World Pasta Day – 25 October. Because everyone loves Italian food!
National Vegemite Day – 25 October. The anniversary of the launch of the “Happy Little Vegemites” advertising campaign in 1954.
World Teachers Day, October 5. Often extended into Teacher Appreciation Week (earlier in the year – varies by country) – celebrate the people who teach our children and employees. Dates vary internationally.
🍾 Champagne Day – 24 October. Time to pop the corks!
Grandparents Day, 26 October. This is another great opportunity to celebrate family and bring them together at your venue… or enjoy your catering.
Halloween, October 31. In Australia and New Zealand, trick-or-treating is more about kids dressing up and collecting in the street, but there are many great recipes you could use as ideas – Google “Halloween food ideas”. Find costumes for your staff, and put Halloween candies in the delivery bags. Check out our big, new collection of Halloween Promotions for adults.
November Restaurant Events
Movember – raising awareness of men’s health and related issues in November. Moustaches on special cupcakes for an event you promote?
World Vegan Day, 1 November – the demand for vegan food keeps growing, especially with female customers. Here’s your chance to party!
Day of the Dead, 2 November – families honour the memories of departed loved ones by inviting them back for a joyful reunion. An opportunity for family and friends to gather, share stories, and celebrate memories. A great event if you have a Mexican or South American theme.
Melbourne Cup, 4 November. Fancy hats, lucky prizes and competitions – the celebration depends on the style of your venue, but when the nation stops to watch the race, make sure you have something special to help celebrate the wins.
Singles Day, November 11. Popular in China, it is a day to celebrate and treat yourself. Care is needed, as this is also celebrated as a day for honouring the war dead.
World Kindness Day, November 13 – who can you acknowledge in your team or community?
International Espresso Day – 23 November
Black Friday & Cyber Monday – November 28 & Dec 1. These shopping events are becoming bigger every year, so why not join in?
Black Friday is a chance to sell party packs at a discount or a one-day sale on Monday night bookings. Offer a bonus for future bookings, such as “half-price room rental if booked today,” “half-price beverage packages,” or “12 group bookings for the price of 10 in January.” The important thing is to use this chance to make more sales, not to cut prices on items that already sell well.
Cyber Monday is for digital deals, which are similar to Black Friday, so the deals can only be bought online.
Thanksgiving Day, US – 28 November
December Restaurant Events
International Pastry Day, 9 December
Summer or Winter Solstice, Longest or Shortest Day of the Year, 21 December – according to the northern or southern hemisphere.
Festivus, 23 December – a tongue-in-cheek holiday for those who want an alternative to the commercialism of Christmas. From the 90’s sitcom Seinfeld.
Christmas Day, 25 December – the most holy day of the year for Christians, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
Boxing Day, 26 December – a holiday in Australia, New Zealand and many Commonwealth countries.
Christmas celebrations all through the month. Sell catering for the home, staff parties, and traditional bookings at your venue. Start the promotion by August at the latest, and work on selling the less popular days of the week (Monday and Tuesday) by adding extras at no cost e.g. decorations, party favours, arrival drinks or extended room hire time.
Special Occasions and Birthdays for Restaurant Events
Special Birthdays: Don’t forget the 40th, 50th, 60th, 70th and 80th birthdays, and offer to organise a special cake as part of the service. Even a baby’s first birthday is now a big deal for new parents. The data on your birthday club probably doesn’t have a date of birth, but you can add gentle reminders every few months.
Special Celebrations. The anniversary of a wedding, a retirement, or the anniversary of moving into a new home. When you share these suggestions, people start to think of you as a place where they can find answers. And what can you do for people who want to have a party at home?
Host a Networking Event anytime. It’s a great way to build local connections and future visits. Send invitations to your email list, and promote on socials. Collaborate with local businesses for added exposure, and invite guest speakers or host panel discussions on business topics. Provide high-quality food and drinks that showcase your offering, and if you don’t have a separate space, run the events in your downtime – early morning or evening.
Plan Ahead for Better Results with your Restaurant Events
Start with a 12-month calendar – this way, events aren’t forgotten until the last minute, and you co-ordinate with seasonal activities eg school holidays & tourism. Use an online planner like Google Calendar so it can be shared easily.
Check the other useful blog posts on the Foodie Coaches website…
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