Food-related holidays offer an exciting and creative way to engage your customers and create buzz around your restaurant. However, aside from the well-known holidays such as Thanksgiving or Christmas, there are dozens of lesser-known, eccentric food holidays that offer unique promotional opportunities. Recognizing these fringe holidays gives you an excuse to celebrate with your customers, and it can help you cut through the noise and standout from the competition.
Below, we present 10 of the most peculiar food holidays as well as ideas for how to turn these holidays into delightful marketing events. If you would like to find more fun food holidays along with free complementary marketing templates, check out this helpful page.
January 1 – National Bloody Mary Day
If you ended your year on too high of a note, National Bloody Mary Day is here to pick you back up the next day. Make your restaurant a brunch destination on January first with exclusive Bloody Mary deals or a self-service Bloody Mary bar with lots of fun toppings.
February 4 – National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
Turn your usual meal schedule on its head with this fun reminder to occasionally mix up your daily routines. Restaurants can celebrate National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day by curating a delightful breakfast menu featuring a variety of scrumptious ice cream-based dishes like indulgent ice cream waffles, decadent ice cream sundaes, and refreshing ice cream smoothie bowls, giving customers a sweet start to their day! This can be a particularly fun holiday for little kids and families.
March 23 – National Chip and Dip Day
Offer a variety of homemade dips and chips to your customers. This holiday also lends itself perfectly to a dipping sauce creation contest where customers can vote on their favorite new flavors.
March 28 – National Something on a Stick Day
This is one of the more fun holidays because any food qualifies, as long as you serve it on a stick. Restaurants can celebrate National "Something on a Stick" Day by offering a delightful array of creative and delicious skewered treats, from mouthwatering kebabs and sweet fruit kabobs to innovative dessert popsicles. The only limit to what you can serve is your own imagination.
May 10 – National Shrimp Day
Celebrate this holiday by organizing a shrimp cook-off or offer a special menu highlighting the versatility of shrimp. Extend the celebration to a week-long event offering a unique shrimp dish each day.
June 1 – National Doughnut Day
Collaborate with a local bakery to offer an exclusive range of doughnuts for the day or create doughnut-inspired desserts. A doughnut decorating workshop could also make for a sweet marketing event.
July 21 – National Junk Food Day
Embrace the guilty pleasures by offering a special menu of upgraded junk food dishes like gourmet burgers, truffle fries, or artisanal milkshakes. Encourage customers to get involved by sharing photos of their favorite junk food recipes and then repost the favorites.
August 8 – National Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day
What do you do when you have too much zucchini and none of your neighbors will take any of it off your hands? You slyly give it to them without their knowledge. Obviously. You can celebrate this zany holiday at your restaurant by turning it into a charity event. Encourage customers to donate zucchinis, which your restaurant can turn into meals for a local shelter. Share pictures on social media and let your customers know their zucchinis' journey.
October 1 – National Pumpkin Spice Day
Pumpkin spice has almost become as synonymous with autumn as falling leaves and college football. Restaurants can celebrate National Pumpkin Spice Day by crafting a special limited-time menu that showcases pumpkin spice-infused delights, such as pumpkin spice lattes, pumpkin spice pancakes, and even savory options like pumpkin spice soups or pasta. Additionally, you can engage customers by hosting a pumpkin-themed event with pumpkin carving contests, fall-inspired decorations, and a warm and cozy ambiance to fully embrace the spirit of the season. Customizable Pumpkin Spice Day templates make it easy to promote.
November 12 – National Pizza with the Works Except Anchovies
There is only one real rule when you celebrate this holiday: Keep those anchovies off your pizza. You can define “the works” however you like and have a lot of fun with it. But under no circumstances can you include anchovies.
In conclusion, leveraging these unusual food holidays for your marketing efforts not only sets your restaurant apart but also creates memorable experiences for your customers. So, start marking your calendar and let the food festivities begin!
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