Sneha Jasrasaria Quick answer
A festive marketing calendar lists the festivals and shopping moments your customers care about, so you can plan offers, content and ads weeks ahead. For brands in Assam and the Northeast, Bihu and Durga Puja sit alongside national moments like Diwali, Holi, Eid, Christmas and the New Year.
Key takeaways
- Plan festive campaigns four to six weeks ahead
- Mix national festivals with regional ones
- Book shoots and creators early for peak season
- Keep festive content respectful and on brand
Festivals drive shopping in India. A brand that plans for them gets the best creators, the best shoot slots and lower ad costs. A brand that reacts at the last minute posts a generic greeting and misses the sales.
The yearly calendar
Exact dates for many festivals change every year, so check the current year’s dates.
| Period | Festivals and moments | Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| January | New Year, Magh Bihu (Bhogali Bihu), Makar Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri, Republic Day | Fresh start offers, feast menus, regional greetings |
| February | Valentine’s Day, Saraswati Puja | Gifting, couple offers, student offers |
| March | Holi, Women’s Day, financial year end | Colour themed reels, women-led stories, year end deals |
| April | Rongali Bihu (Bohag Bihu), Assamese New Year, Baisakhi, Poila Boishakh | New year collections, gamosa themed content, local music |
| May to June | Summer holidays, Mother’s Day, Eid (varies) | Travel, cool drinks, family offers |
| July to August | Monsoon, Friendship Day, Independence Day, Raksha Bandhan | Rainy day offers, gifting |
| August to September | Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, Teachers’ Day | Regional campaigns, educator stories |
| September to October | Durga Puja, Navratri, Dussehra, Kati Bihu | Pandal hopping content, new outfits, food guides |
| October to November | Diwali, Bhai Dooj, Chhath, Kali Puja | Gifting, home decor, big sales |
| December | Christmas, year end, New Year’s Eve | Party menus, year in review, gifting |
How to plan a festive campaign
- Pick the festivals your customers celebrate.
- Decide the goal: sales, footfall, bookings or awareness.
- Build the offer: combo, gift box, early bird price, limited menu.
- Plan content: teaser, launch, reminder and last chance posts.
- Book shoots and creators early, because peak weeks fill up.
- Start ads early to warm up audiences before costs rise.
- Review results after the festival and note what to repeat.
Northeast special: Bihu and Durga Puja
For brands in Assam, the three Bihus and Durga Puja are among the biggest moments of the year. Content that uses local music, gamosa, traditional food and Assamese captions feels natural. Durga Puja content works well across Assam, Tripura and Bengal.
Keep it respectful
Use festivals to connect, not to force a sale. Get greetings and symbols right, and avoid jokes about religious themes.
Want a festive plan?
We plan festive and offer campaigns as part of our monthly social media plans. See our social media marketing page or browse reel ideas.