Welcome to this month’s “Looking Ahead” feature for September 2023…
…where we take a look at the events, occasions, anniversaries and holidays that we can use as the foundation for event-driven marketing promotions in the coming month.
It’s a time of a change of seasons. The September Equinox falls on September 23 at 06.50 UT (that’s 07.50 UK BST time…check for your particular location).
It’s Autumn in the north and Spring in the south…
…and these can be used as broad themes for a promotion.
Tied in with these, in the northern hemisphere it’s normally “Back to School” or “Back to Work” and the start of the run-in to the end of the year. In the current emergency situation, those ideas might need to be modified.
In the southern hemisphere, “Spring Time” or “Spring Cleaning” can be used as a theme.
In Germany, the famous Oktoberfest takes place. The 188th Oktoberfest starts on September 16 and runs through until October 3.
Looking at some specific occasions…
September 1 – Letter Writing Day
September 2 – “V-J Day”, the official end of World War 2 in the Pacific (the Japanese government actually surrendered on August 15 but the official ceremony took place 2 weeks later)
September 2 – World Beard Day (first Saturday in September)
September 3 – Skyscraper Day
September 5 – International Day Of Charity
September 6 – Fight Procrastination Day (also “Read A Book Day”)
September 8 – International Day Of Literacy
September 8 – World Physical Therapy Day
September 8 – Star Trek Day
September 9 – Teddy Bear Day
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
September 10 – Swap Ideas Day
September 11 – Patriot Day (USA)
September 13 – Programmers’ Day (256th day of the year)
September 13 – Roald Dahl Day (anniversary of the birth of acclaimed storyteller)
September 13 – Positive Thinking Day
September 13 – Anniversary of the birth of Milton S. Hershey (in 1857) – sometimes referred to as “International Chocolate Day”
September 15 – International Day Of Democracy
September 16 – World Ozone Day (International Day For The Preservation Of The Ozone Layer)
September 17 – Country Music Day
September 17 – Constitution Day (anniversary of the signing of the US Constitution in 1787)
September 18 – World Water Monitoring Day
September 18 – Respect Day
September 21 – International Day Of Peace
September 21 – World Gratitude Day
September 21 – Escapology Day
September 22 – Business Women’s Day (anniversary of the founding of the American Business Women’s Association in 1949)
September 22 – Hobbit Day
September 22 – World Rhino Day
September 23 – September Equinox (06.50 UT, 07.50 BST)
September 23 – International Day of Sign Languages
September 25 – World Dream Day
September 25 – Psychotherapy Day
September 27 – World Tourism Day
September 28 – World Maritime Day
September 28 – International Right to Know Day (Universal Access to Information)
September 29 – World Heart Day
September 30 – International Translation Day
September 30 – International Podcast Day
September 30 – International Thunderbirds (International Rescue) Day
And in some places, September 19 is “Talk Like A Pirate Day”. Could be an opportunity for a little fun!
Looking at specific events in particular countries…
In the USA…
September 4 – Labor Day
September 9 – California Admission Day (California)
September 9 – Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
September 9 – Native American Day (Delaware)
September 10 – National Grandparents Day
September 11 – Patriot Day
September 11 – First Responders Day (North Carolina)
September 15 – National POW/MIA Recognition Day
September 17 – Constitution Commemoration Day (Arizona)
September 17 – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
September 18 – Constitution Day and Citizenship Day observed
September 18 – Air Force Birthday
September 22 – Emancipation Day (Ohio)
September 22 – Native American Day (California, Nevada)
September 22 – Michigan Indian Day (Michigan)
September 23 – National Public Lands Day
September 24 – Gold Star Mother’s Day
September 25 – American Indian Day (Tennessee)
September 29 – American Indian Heritage Day (Texas, Montana)
Canada…
September 4 – Labour Day
September 30 – National Day for Truth and Reconciliation
UK…
No major public holidays this month. September 15 is “Battle of Britain Day”…this year is the 83rd anniversary.
Remember to keep an eye out for local events or occasions specific to your industry.
Australia…
September 1 marks the first day of spring, so scope for a “Spring Cleaning” theme.
September 1 – National Wattle Day / First Day Of Spring
September 3 – Australian National Flag Day
September 3 – Father’s Day
September 17 – Citizenship Day
September 25 – King’s Birthday (Western Australia)
September 29 – AFL Grand Final Friday (Victoria)
September 30 – AFL Grand Final
September 30 – Save the Koala Day
…plus there’s the Spring Equinox (in the southern hemisphere) that falls on September 23 (at 16.50 AEST).
Remember to keep an eye out for local events and sporting occasions that are relevant to your market and can be part of your marketing calendar for September 2023.
Every success with your event-driven marketing in September 2023!