A 2025 affiliate marketing calendar lists key US retail dates, planning windows, and content slots. Export the schedule to ICS/CSV, then update monthly as promos and shipping cutoffs shift throughout the year.
Look, another year means another scramble to remember when Valentine's Day content needs to be live, when Amazon Prime Day actually happens, and whether Black Friday is early or late this year. Here's the thing: you don't need to rebuild your content calendar from scratch every January.
This guide gives you a complete, US-focused affiliate marketing calendar for 2025 with exact dates for every major retail event, recommended planning windows, and content deadlines. More importantly, you can export the entire calendar to ICS (Apple/Google Calendar) or CSV (spreadsheets) so your team stays synced without constantly checking this page.
I've built this calendar specifically for US affiliate marketers, which means it includes shipping cutoffs, regional events (like Texas sales tax holidays), and realistic planning windows based on how long it actually takes to create gift guides, negotiate offers, and get program approvals. By the end of this guide, you'll have a year-long roadmap downloaded to your calendar app and ready to drive every campaign through December.
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What You'll Learn:
How to Use This Calendar
Each entry includes three critical dates:
- Event Date: The actual retail holiday or promotional period
- Content Due: Latest date to publish content for maximum visibility
- Planning Start: When to begin offer negotiation, program applications, and content creation
For example, Valentine's Day is February 14, but your content should be live by February 1, which means you need to start planning in early January (program outreach, product selection, content creation). The calendar reflects these realistic timelines.
Calendar color coding (when exported):
- Red: Major revenue events (BFCM, Prime Day, Christmas)
- Orange: Secondary shopping holidays (Valentine's Day, Mother's Day)
- Blue: Planning milestones and content deadlines
- Green: Niche opportunities (tax season, back-to-school)
Q1 2025: January - March
Q1 focuses on New Year's resolutions, post-holiday deals, Valentine's Day, and early spring planning. Traffic dips after holiday peaks but specific niches (fitness, organization, tax prep) see strong engagement.
January 2025: New Year & Resolution Season
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | Wed, Jan 1 | Dec 28, 2024 | Dec 15, 2024 | Clearance roundups, fresh-start products (planners, fitness gear) |
| CES (Tech Show) | Jan 7-10 | Jan 5 | Dec 20, 2024 | Tech previews, pre-order announcements, innovation roundups |
| National Clean Your Desk Day | Mon, Jan 13 | Jan 6 | Dec 20, 2024 | Organization products, desk accessories, productivity tools |
| MLK Day | Mon, Jan 20 | Jan 15 | Jan 5 | Long-weekend sales, furniture/mattress promos (traditional MLK sale category) |
| Tax Season Opens | Late Jan | Jan 20 | Jan 1 | Tax software, financial planning tools, accounting services |
January affiliate strategy: Focus on "New Year, New You" angles—fitness programs (Peloton, Beachbody), productivity tools (Notion, Asana), and organization products. According to Shopify, January sees 35% higher traffic to fitness and self-improvement content compared to monthly averages.
February 2025: Valentine's Day & Presidents' Day
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Super Bowl LIX | Sun, Feb 9 | Feb 1 | Jan 15 | TV deals, streaming services, party supplies, snack delivery |
| Valentine's Day | Fri, Feb 14 | Feb 1 | Jan 10 | Jewelry, flowers, experiences (date night, travel), romantic gifts |
| Presidents' Day Sales | Mon, Feb 17 | Feb 10 | Jan 25 | Furniture, mattresses, appliances (major sale weekend) |
| Mardi Gras | Tue, Mar 4 | Feb 20 | Feb 5 | Party supplies, travel to New Orleans, costumes |
February affiliate strategy: Valentine's Day drives 60% of February affiliate revenue for gift-focused publishers. Start content in early February—shoppers research but delay purchases until closer to February 14. Last-minute shipping cutoffs (Feb 10-12 depending on retailer) create urgency.
Presidents' Day weekend is the second-biggest furniture/mattress sale event of the year after Memorial Day. Partner with brands like Casper, Purple, Wayfair for strong commissions.
March 2025: Spring Prep & St. Patrick's Day
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| International Women's Day | Sat, Mar 8 | Mar 1 | Feb 15 | Female-founded brands, empowerment gifts, charitable partnerships |
| Daylight Saving Begins | Sun, Mar 9 | Mar 5 | Feb 20 | Sleep products, wake-up lights, time management tools |
| St. Patrick's Day | Mon, Mar 17 | Mar 10 | Feb 25 | Party supplies, green products, Irish whiskey, travel |
| First Day of Spring | Thu, Mar 20 | Mar 15 | Mar 1 | Outdoor gear, gardening supplies, spring fashion, cleaning products |
| NCAA March Madness | Mar 18 - Apr 7 | Mar 15 | Mar 1 | Streaming services, sports betting apps, fan gear |
March affiliate strategy: Spring cleaning and outdoor preparation content performs well. Gardening and home improvement programs (Home Depot, Lowe's, seed companies) see traffic surges. March Madness creates opportunities for sports streaming and betting affiliate programs in states where legal.
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Q2 2025: April - June
Q2 covers Easter through graduations and Father's Day. Major affiliate opportunities include tax deadline, spring fashion, Mother's Day (huge revenue driver), Memorial Day sales, and graduation gifts.
April 2025: Easter & Spring Shopping
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April Fools' Day | Tue, Apr 1 | Mar 25 | Mar 10 | Novelty products, prank gifts, gag items |
| Tax Day | Tue, Apr 15 | Apr 1 | Mar 15 | Tax software (last push), financial planning, tax-advantaged accounts |
| Easter Sunday | Sun, Apr 20 | Apr 10 | Mar 25 | Spring fashion, candy/baskets, home décor, brunch items |
| Earth Day | Tue, Apr 22 | Apr 15 | Apr 1 | Sustainable products, eco-friendly brands, reusable items |
| Administrative Professionals Day | Wed, Apr 23 | Apr 15 | Apr 5 | Office gifts, flowers, appreciation gifts (B2B angle) |
April affiliate strategy: Easter shopping peaks in the two weeks before April 20. Spring fashion content performs well through late April. Earth Day creates opportunities for sustainable/eco-friendly brand partnerships.
May 2025: Mother's Day & Memorial Day
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinco de Mayo | Mon, May 5 | Apr 28 | Apr 15 | Party supplies, tequila/margarita kits, Mexican food delivery |
| Mother's Day | Sun, May 11 | May 1 | Apr 10 | Jewelry, flowers, spa products, experiences, personalized gifts |
| Memorial Day Sales | Mon, May 26 | May 20 | May 1 | Summer gear, outdoor furniture, grills, travel, mattresses |
| Memorial Day Weekend | May 24-26 | May 15 | May 1 | Travel bookings, camping gear, beach essentials, road trip supplies |
May affiliate strategy: Mother's Day is the third-largest affiliate revenue event after BFCM and Christmas for gift-focused sites. According to the National Retail Federation, US spending on Mother's Day reaches $35+ billion annually. Content should be live by May 1 to capture early shoppers, with last-minute gift guides published May 8-9.
Memorial Day weekend kicks off summer shopping. Partner with outdoor brands (REI, Backcountry), travel sites, and furniture retailers.
June 2025: Father's Day & Graduation Season
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pride Month | All of June | May 25 | May 10 | LGBTQ+ brands, pride merchandise, charitable partnerships |
| Graduation Season | Early-Mid June | May 25 | May 1 | Tech gifts, dorm supplies, professional clothing, luggage |
| Father's Day | Sun, Jun 15 | Jun 1 | May 15 | Grills, tools, tech, experiences, grooming products |
| First Day of Summer | Sat, Jun 21 | Jun 15 | Jun 1 | Outdoor gear, travel, summer fashion, pool/beach supplies |
June affiliate strategy: Father's Day underperforms Mother's Day (average spending $20-25 billion vs $35 billion) but still drives significant gift guide traffic. Tech, grilling, and experience gifts convert well. Graduation creates opportunities for dorm setup guides, tech for college students, and professional wardrobe content.
Q3 2025: July - September
Q3 includes Prime Day (Amazon's invented holiday), back-to-school shopping, Labor Day sales, and early Q4 planning. Summer months typically see lower traffic except for travel and outdoor content.
July 2025: Summer Peak & Prime Day
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence Day | Fri, Jul 4 | Jun 25 | Jun 10 | BBQ supplies, party items, fireworks, patriotic décor |
| Amazon Prime Day | Jul 15-16 (est) | Jul 10 | Jun 25 | Deal roundups, product comparisons, Amazon Associates links |
| Christmas in July | Jul 25 | Jul 20 | Jul 5 | Summer clearance, crafts, early holiday prep (niche angle) |
July affiliate strategy: Prime Day is the biggest revenue event between Memorial Day and Black Friday. Digital Commerce 360 reports Prime Day generates $12+ billion in sales, with affiliate publishers capturing significant share through deal roundups and product comparisons.
Prime Day prep timeline:
- 3 weeks before: Create evergreen "Best Amazon Products in [Category]" content
- 1 week before: Publish "Prime Day 2025 Predictions" and deal wishlists
- Day of: Live-update deal roundups every 2-4 hours
- Post-event: Cover "deals still available" and compare to Black Friday projections
August 2025: Back-to-School Season
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Back-to-School Shopping Peak | Early-Mid Aug | Jul 25 | Jul 1 | School supplies, backpacks, clothing, tech for students |
| Tax-Free Weekends (varies by state) | Early Aug | Jul 25 | Jul 10 | Big-ticket items in tax-free states (Texas, Florida, etc.) |
| National Dog Day | Mon, Aug 26 | Aug 20 | Aug 5 | Pet products, toys, treats, accessories |
August affiliate strategy: Back-to-school is the second-largest retail season after holidays ($37+ billion annually per NRF). Content should cover K-12 supplies (late July) and college dorm setups (early August). Tax-free weekends in states like Texas, Florida, and Tennessee create urgency for big-ticket items (computers, furniture).
September 2025: Labor Day & Fall Prep
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor Day Sales | Mon, Sep 1 | Aug 25 | Aug 10 | End-of-summer clearance, furniture, mattresses, appliances |
| Back-to-College | Early Sep | Aug 20 | Aug 1 | Dorm essentials, tech, textbooks, meal plans |
| First Day of Fall | Mon, Sep 22 | Sep 15 | Sep 1 | Fall fashion, home décor, pumpkin spice everything |
| Q4 Planning Milestone | Late Sep | Sep 20 | Sep 1 | Finalize BFCM offers, apply to fast-approval programs, brief creators |
September affiliate strategy: Labor Day weekend is the last major furniture/appliance sale before Black Friday. Late September is critical for Q4 planning—apply to affiliate programs, finalize partnerships, and create holiday content calendars. Refer to our November-December Promo Calendar for detailed Q4 timelines.
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Q4 2025: October - December
Q4 generates 40-50% of annual affiliate revenue for most publishers. October through December includes Halloween, BFCM, Cyber Monday, holiday shopping, and last-minute gift content. Detailed Q4 coverage is available in our dedicated November-December guide.
October 2025: Halloween & Q4 Launch
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prime Day Fall (if scheduled) | TBD (Oct 8-9 est) | Oct 1 | Sep 15 | Early holiday deals, electronics, home goods |
| Halloween | Fri, Oct 31 | Oct 15 | Sep 25 | Costumes, candy, décor, party supplies, horror streaming |
| Q4 Content Launch | Early Oct | Oct 1 | Sep 15 | Holiday gift guides, BFCM previews, early deal alerts |
October affiliate strategy: Launch holiday gift guides by October 1 to capture early shoppers and build SEO authority before November. Halloween content peaks October 15-30. If Amazon schedules a second Prime Day (typically early-mid October), treat it as a major revenue event with dedicated deal content.
November 2025: BFCM & Thanksgiving
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Election Day | Tue, Nov 4 | N/A | N/A | (Note: Expect lower engagement this day) |
| Veterans Day | Tue, Nov 11 | Nov 5 | Oct 25 | Military discounts, veteran-owned brands, patriotic products |
| Singles' Day (US adoption) | Tue, Nov 11 | Nov 5 | Oct 25 | Self-care gifts, solo travel, "treat yourself" angle |
| Thanksgiving | Thu, Nov 27 | Nov 20 | Nov 1 | Travel, hosting supplies, recipes, food delivery |
| Black Friday | Fri, Nov 28 | Nov 20 | Oct 1 | All categories—biggest revenue day of the year |
| Small Business Saturday | Sat, Nov 29 | Nov 25 | Nov 10 | Small/independent brands, Etsy, local shops |
| Cyber Monday | Mon, Dec 1 | Nov 25 | Oct 1 | Tech, electronics, online-only deals (second-biggest revenue day) |
November affiliate strategy: BFCM week (Nov 28 - Dec 1) generates more affiliate revenue than any other period. Content strategy:
- Early November: "Early Black Friday Deals" and pre-BFCM offers
- Week before Thanksgiving: Category-specific gift guides
- BFCM week: Live-updated deal roundups, hourly doorbuster alerts
- Post-Cyber Monday: "Deals still available" and transition to Christmas content
Refer to our comprehensive November-December Promo Calendar for week-by-week timelines, approval deadlines, and content slots.
December 2025: Holiday Shopping & Last-Minute Gifts
| Event | Date | Content Due | Planning Start | Affiliate Angles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Green Monday | Mon, Dec 8 | Dec 5 | Nov 25 | Second Monday of December—big online shopping day |
| Free Shipping Day | Fri, Dec 12 (est) | Dec 10 | Dec 1 | Retailers offering free shipping with guaranteed Christmas delivery |
| Last Shipping Day (Standard) | ~Dec 18 | Dec 15 | Dec 10 | Urgency content: "Order by [date] for Christmas delivery" |
| Hanukkah | Dec 22-30 | Dec 15 | Dec 1 | Hanukkah gifts, menorahs, traditions |
| Christmas Eve | Wed, Dec 24 | Dec 20 | Dec 15 | Last-minute digital gifts (gift cards, subscriptions, experiences) |
| Christmas Day | Thu, Dec 25 | Dec 22 | Dec 10 | Post-Christmas transition, return/exchange content |
| Boxing Day / Post-Christmas Sales | Fri, Dec 26 | Dec 24 | Dec 15 | Clearance deals, gift card redemptions, New Year prep |
| New Year's Eve | Wed, Dec 31 | Dec 28 | Dec 20 | Party supplies, champagne, streaming (countdowns), resolutions preview |
December affiliate strategy: Shift from "holiday shopping" to "last-minute gifts" after December 15. Digital products (gift cards, subscriptions, courses) convert well December 20-24 when physical shipping deadlines have passed. Post-Christmas (Dec 26-31) focus on clearance deals and New Year content.
Shipping deadline calendar (approximate, varies by retailer):
- Ground shipping: Order by December 12
- 3-day shipping: Order by December 18
- 2-day shipping: Order by December 20
- Overnight: Order by December 23
- Digital delivery: Available through December 24
How to Export & Sync Your Calendar
This calendar is designed to integrate with your existing workflow. Here's how to export and use it across your team.
Export Options
Option 1: ICS Export (Calendar Apps)
ICS files work with Apple Calendar, Google Calendar, Outlook, and most calendar applications. When you import an ICS file, all events appear in your calendar with dates, descriptions, and reminders.
What you'll get:
- All events from this calendar
- Planning milestones and content deadlines
- Color-coded by event type (major holidays, planning dates, content due dates)
- Reminder notifications set for 1 week before planning start dates
How to import ICS:
- Google Calendar: Settings → Import & Export → Select file → Import
- Apple Calendar: File → Import → Select ICS file
- Outlook: File → Open & Export → Import/Export → Import ICS file
Option 2: CSV Export (Spreadsheets)
CSV files open in Google Sheets, Excel, Airtable, or any spreadsheet software. Use this if you want to customize dates, add your own events, or integrate with project management tools.
CSV columns included:
- Event name
- Event date
- Content due date
- Planning start date
- Category (holiday, planning, content deadline)
- Affiliate angles
- Notes/recommendations
Option 3: Google Sheets Template
Our Pro version includes a fully editable Google Sheets template with:
- Automatic ICS/CSV generation from the sheet
- Custom event adding (add your own campaigns or brand-specific dates)
- Team collaboration features (assign campaigns to team members)
- Automated reminders via Google Calendar integration
- Monthly update notifications (we'll update the sheet with new promos/changes)
Syncing Across Your Team
For small teams (1-5 people):
- Import ICS into a shared Google Calendar or Outlook calendar
- Share calendar with team members
- Set notification preferences per person
For larger teams or agencies:
- Use our Pro Google Sheets version
- Add custom columns (assigned to, campaign name, budget, status)
- Integrate with project management tools (Asana, Monday.com, ClickUp)
- Export updated CSVs weekly to keep project management tools synced
Monthly Update Policy
This calendar is updated monthly through December 2025 to reflect:
- Confirmed dates: Prime Day, tax-free weekends, retailer-specific events
- Shipping cutoffs: Updated as retailers announce holiday deadlines
- New opportunities: Emerging retail events or affiliate program launches
- Corrections: Any date changes or updated recommendations
Changelog (visible at bottom of this article):
💎 Never Miss an Update
Get the 2025 Affiliate Marketing Calendar - Pro Version with automatic monthly updates, custom event adding, and team collaboration features. Always stay current without checking this page.
Get Pro Calendar – $29One-time payment. Updates through December 2025 included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What dates matter most for affiliates in 2025?
The top revenue-driving dates for US affiliates are: Black Friday (November 28), Cyber Monday (December 1), Amazon Prime Day (July 15-16 estimated), Mother's Day (May 11), Christmas shopping season (December 1-24), and Father's Day (June 15). These six events typically generate 60-70% of annual affiliate revenue for gift and retail-focused publishers.
How far in advance should I plan affiliate campaigns?
Major holidays require 6-8 weeks advance planning (content creation, program approvals, product selection). For BFCM, start planning in September. For Mother's Day and Father's Day, start 4-6 weeks before. For smaller events (Valentine's Day, Halloween), 3-4 weeks is sufficient. The "Planning Start" column in each calendar table reflects these realistic timelines.
When should holiday gift guides be published?
Publish evergreen gift guides by October 1 to build SEO authority before November traffic surges. Create category-specific guides (tech, beauty, toys) in early November. Update guides with BFCM deals during Thanksgiving week. Last-minute gift content should go live December 15-20 for shoppers who missed shipping deadlines.
How often should I update this calendar throughout the year?
Review the calendar monthly, especially before major quarters (Q1 in December, Q2 in March, Q3 in June, Q4 in September). We update this page monthly with confirmed dates, new retail events, and shipping deadline changes. If you use our Pro version, updates push automatically to your Google Sheet. For manual calendars, check back quarterly at minimum.
Can I add my own custom dates to exported calendars?
Yes. ICS imports into calendar apps where you can add events manually. CSV files open in any spreadsheet where you can add rows. Our Pro Google Sheets version has built-in custom event fields where you can add brand-specific launches, your own campaign deadlines, or client-specific dates while keeping the core retail calendar intact.
What's the difference between the free calendar and Pro version?
The free calendar (this page) gives you all dates, planning windows, and affiliate angles with manual ICS/CSV downloads. The Pro version ($29) includes: editable Google Sheets with automatic ICS/CSV generation, custom event adding, team collaboration features, automated monthly update notifications, and priority support. Pro is best for teams or publishers managing multiple campaigns.
Are these dates US-specific or global?
This calendar is US-focused, meaning it includes US retail holidays, shipping timelines based on USPS/UPS/FedEx, and regional events (Texas tax-free weekend, etc.). Some global events (Singles' Day, Boxing Day) are included where relevant to US affiliates. For other markets (UK, Canada, Australia), dates and shopping behaviors differ significantly.
Conclusion
Your 2025 is now mapped. Every major retail date, realistic planning window, and content deadline is documented in the tables above. You don't need to rebuild your content calendar from scratch—just export this one to ICS or CSV and integrate with your existing workflow.
Key takeaways: Q1 focuses on New Year's resolutions and spring preparation. Q2 is dominated by Mother's Day and Memorial Day furniture sales. Q3 includes Prime Day and back-to-school shopping. Q4 generates 40-50% of annual revenue through BFCM, Cyber Monday, and Christmas shopping. Plan 6-8 weeks ahead for major events. Update quarterly and sync your team using shared calendars.
The calendar templates and export files make it easy to stay organized throughout the year. Download the ICS or CSV, add to your calendar app or spreadsheet, and set reminders for planning milestones. If you want automatic updates and team collaboration features, our Pro version ($29) keeps you current without manual checking.
Your next steps: Export the calendar format you need (ICS for calendar apps, CSV for spreadsheets). Import into your tools. Review Q1 dates now and set reminders for January planning. Bookmark this page or save the Pro version for monthly updates. Cross-reference with our detailed November-December Promo Calendar when Q4 approaches.
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