Festive and seasonal marketing calendar for brands in India
Indian brands should plan festive campaigns four to eight weeks ahead. The biggest moments are Diwali and the wedding season, New Year's Eve, Holi, IPL season, Raksha Bandhan, Navratri and Christmas, plus long weekends and paydays. Pick the moments that fit your category instead of chasing all of them.
The calendar
| Month | Key moments | Ideas |
|---|---|---|
| January | New Year, Lohri, Republic Day long weekend | Fresh-start offers, winter menus, wellness |
| February | Valentine's Day, wedding season | Couples events, gifting, date nights |
| March | Holi, financial year-end | Holi parties, colour-safe products, B2B year-end |
| April–May | IPL season, summer holidays | Screenings, match-night offers, summer menus |
| June–July | Monsoon | Rainy-day comfort food, indoor events, health content |
| August | Raksha Bandhan, Independence Day | Gifting, family offers, long-weekend plans |
| September–October | Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra | Garba nights, festive menus, gifting |
| October–November | Diwali, Bhai Dooj, wedding season | Gift hampers, corporate gifting, parties |
| December | Christmas, New Year's Eve | Brunches, NYE events, year-in-review |
How far ahead to plan
- Eight weeks: big events and corporate gifting.
- Four to six weeks: content shoots, creator bookings, ad creative.
- Two weeks: WhatsApp campaigns and reminders.
Do not forget everyday moments
Paydays, long weekends, the first rain and big cricket matches often move more sales for local brands than festivals.
Use this with our content calendar template.
Key takeaways
- Plan festive campaigns four to eight weeks ahead.
- Choose the moments that fit your category.
- Paydays, long weekends and big matches matter too.
Frequently asked questions
When should brands start Diwali marketing?
Start planning about eight weeks before Diwali, especially for corporate gifting and events, and begin public campaigns two to four weeks ahead.
Which festivals work best for restaurants and bars?
New Year's Eve, Holi, Christmas, Diwali parties, IPL match nights and long weekends are usually the strongest.
Want this for your brand?
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