Why a Global Calendar for Advertisers in 2026 is a Must.
The e-commerce world revolves around seasonal peaks and cultural festivals. For advertisers, these moments bring both challenges and opportunities: higher competition but also unprecedented buying intent. Planning campaigns around these key dates and tailoring them to each region is the surest way for e-commerce apps to drive installs, boost engagement, and maximize ROI. Here’s a visual, month-by-month calendar for advertisers in 2026, highlighting the most essential shopping events per month across Southeast Asia, India, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East.
January
- New Year’s Day (Global, Jan 1) – Strong for fitness, lifestyle, and finance apps.
- India Republic Day (India, Jan 26) – Electronics and fashion apps run app-only offers.
- Lunar New Year (SEA, late Jan) – A gift-heavy period in Vietnam, Singapore, and Malaysia.
- Dubai Shopping Festival (UAE, Jan–Feb) – A surge in luxury and electronics.
February
- Valentine’s Day (Global, Feb 14) – Jewelry, gifting, and delivery apps thrive.
- Super Bowl Weekend (NA, Feb 1–2) – Food delivery and betting apps dominate.
- Kuwait National Day (Middle East, Feb 25–26) – GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) e-commerce surges.
March
- Holi (India, Mar 6–7) – Fashion and beauty apps thrive with festive deals.
- International Women’s Day (Global, Mar 8) – Wellness and beauty campaigns.
- Consumer Day (Brazil, LATAM, Mar 15) – Electronics and appliance apps spike.
- Mother’s Day (Middle East, Mar 21) – Jewelry and gifting apps peak.
April
- Easter Weekend (Global, Apr 5–6) – Family-oriented ecommerce sales.
- Ramadan Begins (MENA & SEA, Apr 7–May 6) – Food, grocery, and fintech apps surge.
- Songkran Festival (Thailand, Apr 13–15) – Travel and entertainment apps grow.
- Earth Day (Global, Apr 22) – Eco-conscious e-commerce apps and brands resonate.
May
- Eid al-Fitr (MENA & SEA, May 6–8) – Explosive peaks in gifting apps.
- Mother’s Day (Global, May 10) – Jewelry and lifestyle e-commerce thrive.
- Hot Sale (Mexico, May 25–27) – Electronics and fashion dominate LATAM.
- Memorial Day (NA, May 23–25) – Furniture, outdoor, and lifestyle apps shine.
June
- Father’s Day (Global, Jun 21) – Gadgets and subscription apps spike.
- 6.6 Mid-Year Sale (SEA, Jun 6) – A mega-sale across regional marketplaces.
- End-of-Season (India, late June) – Apparel clearance drives installs.
- Back-to-School (NA, LATAM, late June) – Productivity and education apps benefit.
July
- Independence Day (USA, Jul 4) – Food and retail apps tie into patriotic themes.
- Amazon Prime Day (Global, Jul 7–8) – Price-sensitive users fuel app growth. The Popularity of Amazon has turned this day into a global sales period, with many e-commerce brands treating this as an “early” black friday of sorts.
- Peru Independence Day (LATAM, Jul 28–29) – National pride campaigns.
- Saudi Summer Festival (MENA, July) – Lifestyle apps push seasonal offers.
August
- India Independence Day (India, Aug 15) – Electronics and fashion sales peak.
- Back-to-School (Global, Aug 1–20) – Education and electronics apps thrive.
- Singapore National Day (SEA, Aug 9) – Electronics and luxury apps surge.
- Summer Clearance (MENA, Aug 20–31) – Fashion and lifestyle apps shine.
September
- 9.9 Mega Sale (SEA, Sep 9) – The precursor of the double-digit sale season.
- Labor Day Weekend (NA, Sep 7) – Home and electronics apps grow.
- Brazil Independence Day (LATAM, Sep 7) – National pride shopping.
- Navratri/Dussehra (India, Sep 30) – Pre-Diwali app installs surge in anticipation of Diwali sales, with peaks in lifestyle and religious categories.
October
- Diwali (India, Oct 17–21) – The single biggest ecommerce period in India.
- 10.10 Brands Festival (SEA, Oct 10) – Brand-driven shopping campaigns.
- Halloween (Global, Oct 31) – Food, grocery, and costume apps thrive.
- Saudi National Day (MENA, Oct 23) – National pride boosts retail apps.
November
- Singles’ Day 11.11 (Global, Nov 11) – The world’s largest ecommerce holiday.
- Black Friday (NA & LATAM, Nov 27) – Peak sales across retail apps.
- Cyber Monday (Global, Nov 30) – Electronics and gaming apps dominate.
- White Friday (MENA, Nov 27) – GCC’s answer to Black Friday.
December
- 12.12 Sale (SEA, Dec 12) – The last mega-sale before Christmas.
- Christmas (Global, Dec 24–25) – Gifting and delivery apps see record spikes.
- Boxing Day (Global, Dec 26) – Fashion and lifestyle clearance.
- New Year’s Eve (Global, Dec 31) – Travel, food delivery, and entertainment apps surge.
Are E-commerce Advertisers Ready for 2026?
2026 will be defined by regional diversity but global consistency in mobile-first shopping. E-commerce apps that localize campaigns, align with cultural and seasonal moments, and leverage trusted OEM channels to both augment and diversify their approach will win market share during these peaks.
👉 Ready to align your app with the world’s biggest shopping moments? Get in touch with AVOW to plan your 2026 strategy, and download our latest Mobile OEM Advertising Playbook for E-commerce apps to get your app primed for the holiday shopping season for 2025 and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Why is a global holiday and event calendar for advertisers in 2026 important for e-commerce apps?
A calendar for advertisers is crucial because consumer behavior spikes around cultural festivals, national holidays, and mega-sale days. Planning campaigns around these moments allows e-commerce apps to maximize installs, drive higher conversion rates, and reduce wasted ad spend.
- Which regions see the biggest ecommerce surges in 2026?
Each Region Has Unique Peaks:
Southeast Asia → double-digit mega-sales (9.9, 10.10, 11.11, 12.12)
India → Diwali, Republic Day, Independence Day
North America → Prime Day, Black Friday, Cyber Monday
LATAM → Consumer Day, Hot Sale, national holidays
Middle East → Ramadan, Eid al-Fitr, White Friday
- How should advertisers adapt campaigns across regions?
Localization is key. Use local payment methods, tailor creatives to cultural values (e.g., family and trust in the Middle East, festival-centric themes in India), and time campaigns to match user activity (e.g., after sunset during Ramadan).
- Are all dates equally important for every app vertical?
No. For example, food delivery apps peak during events like Super Bowl Weekend or New Year’s Eve, while e-commerce and fintech apps thrive during Diwali or Ramadan. Tailor your strategy to your vertical and user intent.
- Where can I find more strategies to succeed in these high-competition periods?
Check out the AVOW E-commerce Playbook. It dives deep into user acquisition strategies, OEM advertising, vertical-specific tactics, and region-by-region best practices to help apps thrive beyond saturated channels.
▶️ Download the playbook here: AVOW E-commerce Advertising Playbook
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