Your Restaurant’s Holiday Event Guide

The holiday season offers restaurant owners a prime opportunity to increase sales and attract customers. In this blog, we will explore creative 2024 holiday calendar ideas, share promotional strategies, and provide tips you can implement in your restaurants to succeed during this festive season.

The Holiday Season in the US

The holiday season is here! From Thanksgiving to New Year's Eve, everyone gathers to enjoy great food and company. For restaurant owners, this is the perfect time! There are so many opportunities to attract customers, build patrons and increase sales. People love to celebrate and dine out. Special menus, festive decor, and unique offers can bring in new guests. It’s also a chance to make regular patrons feel extra special.

The Ultimate Restaurant Holiday Planning Calendar.

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Benefits of Early Holiday Preparation for Your Restaurant

Prepare for higher foot traffic and ensure smooth operations.
Customize menus, discounts, and events for each holiday.
Plan resources, staff, and inventory in advance to prevent last-minute issues.
Create excitement around your holiday specials ahead of time.
Use social media, email, and in-house promotions to generate buzz.
Attract more reservations with early promotion of your specials.
Maximize revenue during busy holiday periods.
Create memorable experiences that encourage return visits.

Holiday Calendar Ideas

Here’s the US holiday calendar 2024 for restaurant owners. It’s packed with ideas. Get creative and engage your customers. Each date has themed suggestions. Pro tips included. Unique engagement ideas, too. Make the most of the holiday season!

Veterans Day

Date: Monday, November 11

Offer Discounts

Set a 15-20% discount for veterans and active-duty military. Your restaurant POS system automatically applies these discounts at checkout. Try a "buy one, give one" deal so they can share a meal with family or friends. It's a great way to honor them while boosting loyalty among all diners.

Create a Tribute Wall

Set up a special area where customers can post thank-you notes or photos in honor of veterans. Supply sticky notes, small flags, or postcards where people can write personal messages. This wall can remain throughout the month as a reminder of gratitude and respect.

Special Menu

Create a “Patriotic Platter” with red, white, and blue-themed dishes or American classics like burgers, apple pie, or BBQ. That's also perfect for social media sharing! OneHubPOS allows you to quickly update your menu with holiday specials or themed dishes.

Pro-tip: Promote your Veterans Day specials in advance through social media and email marketing to generate interest. Share heartfelt stories of veterans on your staff in your posts. This storytelling approach not only engages your audience but also shows authenticity, which is key to brand loyalty.

Thanksgiving Day

Date: Thursday, November 28

Host a Special Brunch

Many people celebrate with friends a day or two before Thanksgiving. Offer a special brunch with a warm, inviting atmosphere, ideal for those who may not cook the big meal themselves. You may call it “Friendsgiving” brunch. Include comfort foods like mashed potatoes, stuffed mushrooms, and sweet potato casserole.

Special Holiday Menu

Design a “Thanksgiving Feast” with unique twists on traditional dishes. Try serving mini pumpkin soup shooters or mini pecan pies for a playful yet festive approach. With OneHubPOS, you can update your specials or create a unique holiday menu, offering customized items or menu pricing for the season.

Photo Wall

Set up a cozy, autumn-themed photo wall. Add pumpkins, hay bales, and Thanksgiving props. Offer Polaroid-style photos or use a vintage filter. These make great keepsakes. Diners will love sharing their photos online.

Pro-tip: Send text messages and an email blast. Do this in the week before Thanksgiving. Remind customers about your special menu. Create a buzz with a social media giveaway. For example, followers could win a Thanksgiving meal at your restaurant. This improves your reach. It also sparks word-of-mouth marketing.

Christmas Season Kick-Off

Date: Sunday, December 1

Deck the Halls

Kick off the holiday season by fully decorating your restaurant. Add holiday lights, wreaths, and themed ornaments, creating a festive atmosphere. Customers are drawn to these aesthetics. They’re more likely to spend time (and money) in a beautifully decorated space.

Limited-time Holiday Drinks

Create a holiday drink menu. Feature festive cocktails like spiced mulled wine, eggnog, and peppermint hot chocolate. Include seasonal mocktails, too. This way, everyone has a chance to indulge. OneHubPOS allows you to easily track limited-time offerings and manage inventory for seasonal drinks, helping you keep your stock in check during busy times.

Social Wall

Encourage customers to post their holiday moments at your restaurant using a special hashtag. Feature these posts on a live social wall or slideshow that guests can view while dining. It makes for an interactive experience and encourages customers to post about their visit.

Pro-tip: Start posting holiday content on social media daily, counting down to Christmas with sneak peeks of special offers, decor, or events. Regular posts build excitement and keep your restaurant top of mind during this busy season.

Hanukkah

Date: Begins Wednesday, December 25

Hanukkah Specials

Celebrate Hanukkah with a themed menu. Feature traditional Jewish foods like latkes, brisket, or sufganiyot (jelly donuts). These dishes bring a taste of tradition. They connect with the local Jewish community.

Light Up the Night

If your restaurant has outdoor space, set up a menorah. Light one candle each night of Hanukkah. This symbolic gesture can resonate with patrons and create a welcoming environment.

Gifting Idea

With each meal during Hanukkah, give customers a small chocolate coin (gelt) or a discount coupon for a future visit. This simple gesture shows you’re mindful of the holiday.

Pro-tip: Send a personalized email invitation to customers celebrating Hanukkah, promoting your special dinners and the festive atmosphere your team has prepared. This tailored approach can make diners feel appreciated and encourage them to celebrate with you.

Christmas Eve & Christmas Day

Date: Tuesday, December 24 & Wednesday, December 25

Host a Christmas Eve Dinner

Offer a prix-fixe Christmas menu. Include traditional favorites. Add decadent desserts. Consider live music. A pianist can enhance the ambiance and create a cozy atmosphere.

Gift Cards & Giveaways

Encourage last-minute gift shoppers by offering discounts on gift cards. You could also hold a raffle where customers can win a free dinner in January.

Photo op with Santa

Set up a spot where families can take photos with Santa or another festive character. This addition makes for a unique holiday experience and creates lasting memories.

Pro-tip: Use social media ads targeting last-minute planners to fill seats on Christmas Eve. Update your Google listing with holiday hours and special offers to ensure customers have the latest information.

Kwanzaa (First Day)

Date: Begins Thursday, December 26

Honor African Cuisine

Showcase dishes inspired by African and African American culinary traditions, such as collard greens, sweet potatoes, or cornbread. A Kwanzaa-themed special menu allows diners to celebrate cultural diversity.

Art Wall or Tribute Area

Create a community space where customers can write their wishes for the upcoming year on sticky notes or postcards. Decorate with the colors and symbols of Kwanzaa to create an educational and celebratory ambiance.

Pro-tip: If your restaurant specializes in African heritage-inspired dishes, use email marketing to reach customers and explain the significance of your Kwanzaa specials. It shows cultural awareness and invites people to celebrate together.

New Year's Eve

Date: Tuesday, December 31

Countdown Party

Host a lively countdown party with a festive menu and drink specials, encouraging reservations as space will likely be limited. This is a high-demand night for restaurants, so take advantage of self-ordering kiosks to reduce wait times and manage the rush.

Sparkling Drink Options

Offer champagne cocktails, creative mocktails, and fun party favors like mini sparklers or noise-makers for midnight. With OneHubPOS, you can create special drink promotions for the evening and easily upsell champagne or creative mocktails.

New Year’s Photo Wall

Set up a glitzy photo wall with props like “2024” glasses, confetti, and noisemakers. This setup makes for memorable photos that customers are likely to share online.

Pro-tip: Promote via text messages and emails a week in advance, including a clear CTA to “Reserve Your Spot.” New Year's Eve dining is often booked in advance, so building excitement early can help you secure reservations.

New Year's Day Brunch

Date: Wednesday, January 1

Brunch for the Late Risers

Offer an extended brunch with comfort foods, like breakfast burritos, avocado toast, and refreshing “recovery” drinks like ginger shots or soothing teas.

Discount on Gift Cards

Encourage diners to purchase gift cards for the new year as gifts for themselves or friends, offering a small discount or a bonus credit.

Vision Board Wall

Set up a sticky-note wall where guests can jot down their goals or resolutions for the new year. This interactive experience aligns with the new year’s theme and can build community among guests.

Pro-tip: Promote your New Year’s Day brunch heavily on social media and send text reminders the night before. Many people will be celebrating late on New Year’s Eve, so a well-timed reminder might attract those looking for a comforting start to the new year.

A Handy Planning Checklist for All Events:

Update POS system with holiday specials
Schedule staff accordingly
Order promotional materials
Plan social media content
Set up email campaigns
Prepare decorations
Train staff on special promotions
Update online presence (website/social)
Check inventory requirements
Set up reservation systems

‍Remember: Early preparation is key to holiday success. Start planning at least 6-8 weeks before each major holiday.

Ease Your Holiday Celebrations With OneHubPOS

This 2024 US holiday calendar provides many opportunities to celebrate the holiday season and create a festive, memorable experience for your customers. Planning each date as per the national holiday calendar in advance and using a combination of social media, email, and in-house engagement will ensure a successful holiday season, turning casual diners into loyal patrons.

Want to manage your holiday promotions? Use OneHubPOS to handle orders, track customer preferences, and improve engagement this season. Book a demo and let us help you create unforgettable experiences all holiday long!

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AUTHOR

Sahana Ananth

Director, GTM - OneHubPOS

Sahana is a seasoned GTM leader with a passion for building startups. She excels in crafting GTM strategies for tech products, driving revenue growth.