Wondering how to put your hotel on the map in 2026? We've compiled a list of key dates and events for hotels and the travel industry in the 2026 calendar to help inspire your travel marketing efforts, and to attract a wealth of new guests. Save this page as a bookmark to use as a reference over the next 12 months. Have a look!2026 Travel Calendar with Key Hospitality Days and Events in HospitalityJANUARYCultural Event: New Year’s Day, 1st - GlobalWhile the New Year celebrations may be over, the opportunity is very much alive. Nearly 79% of travellers have made a resolution to travel more, with many planning at least two leisure trips this year. This shift in intent makes 2026 a critical year for travel and hospitality brands to align early with emerging demand. Our 2026 Travel Trends report for hoteliers highlights what travellers will prioritise next. By aligning your unique strengths with these trends, you can position your brand to capture attention and maximise growth in a year set for rising travel demand. Sports Event: Australian Open, 12th Jan to 1st Feb - AustraliaAs the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open sets the tone for global sports travel, drawing fans, sponsors, and international visitors to Melbourne. Taking place from January to February 2026, the tournament creates a surge in demand across flights, accommodation, and experiences, making it a key moment for travel and hospitality brands.With its international appeal, extended stays, and repeat attendance, the Australian Open attracts high-value travellers, many of whom book at short notice. And an efficient B2B hotel distribution model helps you reach these hard-to-access guests and capture demand when it matters most. FEBRUARYSports Event: Rugby Six Nations, 5 Feb to 14 Mar - EuropeOne of Europe’s most culturally important sporting tournaments, the Rugby Six Nations returns from 5 February to 14 March 2026, driving multi-week travel across key cities in England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. With matches spread across six countries, the tournament creates increased demand for accommodation, transport, and city experiences rather than a single peak weekend.For hoteliers and travel companies, the Six Nations offers a valuable opportunity to capture repeat stays, group travel, and premium leisure demand from fans planning around fixtures. Aligning rates, flexible stay packages, and local experiences with match schedules can help maximise occupancy and revenue during a prolonged, high-intent travel period across Europe.Sports Event: The Winter Olympics, 6th to 22nd Feb - ItalyWith just a few weeks to go, Italy’s Winter Games are already driving unprecedented travel demand. As per EuroNews, around 850,000 tickets have been sold, with total visitor numbers expected to reach two million and foreign air arrivals forecast to rise by 160% compared to the same period in 2025. Nearly 3,000 athletes from over 90 nations will compete, creating steady visitor movement across multiple regions.Milan will host ice competitions, while Cortina d’Ampezzo returns to the Olympic spotlight for alpine-snow events, alongside Valtellina and Val di Fiemme, with Verona hosting the closing ceremony. For hoteliers and travel companies, this opens up clear opportunities for location-led stays, curated winter itineraries, ski and adventure experiences, venue-aligned accommodation, and themed campaigns around group screenings, athlete stories, and extended nature tourism.Sports Event: Men’s T20 World Cup, 7th Feb - 8th March - India and Sri LankaIn recent years, The International Cricket Council (ICC) Men’s T20 World Cup showed how major sports events translate into real tourism growth. In Barbados alone, hotel occupancy rose by 9.6% year on year, climbing from 45.3% in June 2023 to 54.8% in June 2024, alongside strong gains for the sharing economy. Overall, the tournament generated an estimated USD 1.66 billion in economic impact across the USA and West Indies, as per ICC.This year, with the World Cup hosted in India and Sri Lanka, the opportunity shifts to Asia. For travel brands globally, this is a moment to collaborate with local hotels, tour operators, and destination partners to tap into match-driven travel demand and create new cross-border revenue streams.Sports Event: Super Bowl, 8th - California, United StatesSuper Bowl LIX will once again turn California into a global travel magnet as Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara hosts the biggest night in American sport. The impact is proven. During last year’s Super Bowl, visiting fans spent an average of $5,553 each, driving $351.6 million in direct visitor spending, while the 2025 edition was projected to generate $1.25 billion in total economic output.Super Bowl weekend consistently delivers premium demand, with room rates often reaching three times the seasonal average. Beyond pricing, experience-led positioning matters. Fan-focused initiatives such as the Super Bowl Experience and Opening Night events with live athlete interactions, show how off-stadium programming fuels longer stays. Successful hotels have leaned into immersive football-themed stays with discounts, vouchers, points, rewards for future stays that incentivise them to become repeat customers.Cultural Event: Valentine's Day, 14th - GlobalValentine’s Day has always been one of the key dates for the travel industry. According to Allianz Partners’ 2025 Top Valentine’s Day Destinations report, holiday travel bookings are up 42% year on year, signalling clear intent to travel for romantic occasions. For hoteliers, this creates a timely opportunity to drive occupancy through experience-led stays.Beyond accommodation, couples are looking for memorable touches, from cooking or dance classes to candlelit dinners, in-room dining, spa rituals and thoughtful upgrades such as flowers or a complimentary bottle of wine. For more practical ideas and campaign inspiration, explore our Valentine’s Day ideas for hotels guide.Sports Event: NBA All-Star Game, 15th - Los AngelesOver the next three years, Los Angeles will be in the global spotlight, hosting a series of major sporting events starting with the NBA All-Star Game in February, followed by the FIFA World Cup 2026™, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, and the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.Hotels in the region should seize the opportunity now with the 75th edition of NBA, working closely with city-led campaigns and infrastructure initiatives. Early collaboration and investment can help properties capture peak demand, encourage repeat visits, and secure long-term growth well beyond each event.Cultural Event: Chinese New Year, 17th - AsiaChinese New Year on 17 February 2026, marking the start of the Year of the Fire Horse, is celebrated by a quarter of the world’s population and triggers one of the largest annual travel movements. Hotels can attract guests by incorporating festive motifs, cultural experiences, themed decor, and special menus, such as spring rolls or noodles.Experiences like fortune-telling, fireworks displays, and Asian-inspired activities can enhance stays, appealing to travellers of Chinese heritage and those interested in the culture.Cultural Event: Ramadan, 17th Feb - 19th March - GlobalRamadan is a month-long religious observance for Muslims, marked by fasting during daylight hours and a focus on reflection, family, and community. The period concludes with Eid-ul-Fitr, a three-day celebration that drives significant travel as families come together. Hotels can prepare by planning Eid-focused packages well in advance, as demand typically peaks around the holiday. Highlighting family-friendly amenities, flexible dining options, and convenient locations in hotel marketing campaigns can position properties as a preferred choice for travellers during this important period.Cultural Event: Rio Carnival/Carnival, 28th to 8th Mar - Americas and LATAMThe Rio Carnival, held annually in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, is a major attraction drawing millions of visitors, including hundreds of thousands from overseas.This vibrant festival features colourful parades, elaborate costumes, lively music, and energetic dancing, offering guests an immersive cultural experience. Hotels can enhance stays by offering early-arrival packages, local tours, traditional Brazilian cuisine, and drinks, allowing guests to fully enjoy the festivities. Alternative Carnival celebrations also take place globally, in cities such as New Orleans and the Dominican Republic, providing further opportunities to create themed experiences for travellers. MARCHTechnology Event: Mobile World Congress, 2nd to 5th - Barcelona, SpainThe Mobile World Congress, held annually in Barcelona, is the largest and most relevant connectivity event in the world. The 2025 edition generated a record-breaking €561 million economic impact for Barcelona. Over 109,000 visitors — its highest since 2019 — came from 205 countries which had over 2900 exhibitors, sponsors, and partners.With occupancy levels reaching 100%, the MWC offers a huge opportunity for Barcelona's hoteliers. Additionally, it's not just good for hotels in downtown Barcelona, but also for those in nearby cities and areas as well, since there's not enough space in Barcelona to accommodate so many guests.Cultural Event: Holi, 4th – India and NepalThe Hindu festival of Holi is a vibrant celebration of colour and cultural traditions held in India and Nepal around the beginning of March. As the festival marks the beginning of spring, it's an opportunity for Hindu communities to come together and forget any grudges, celebrating with food, music, and lively activities.For hotel owners, offering packages that include cultural tours, traditional food experiences and proximity to Holi celebrations can be a great way to attract guests and offer them an authentic cultural experience.Sports Event: Paralympic Winter Games, 6th to 15th - ItalyWhile you prepare for the Paralympic Winter Games, it is important to keep the momentum built during the Winter Olympics. Because Milan and Cortina will host the Paralympics, so you get a continued demand window. Retain successful activities, learn from earlier mistakes, and refine operations and elevate guest experiences to maximise performance across both events.Industry Event: International Women's Day, 8th - GlobalThis day needs no introduction. You are probably already leveraging this day. Engage guests with wellness experiences, curated dining, special events, and themed packages. Partnering with local communities, women speakers, or charities adds meaning, creating memorable stays while celebrating women’s achievements and equality.Cultural Event: Sakura season, March to May - JapanCherry blossoms, known as "sakura," bloom across Japan, are those picturesque photos you must have seen and yes it is a major travel attraction. Numbers show that: 3.91 million foreign visitors in April 2025 — a new monthly record for Japan. Cities such as Kyoto, Himeji, and Tokyo are popular viewing spots, while Kawaguchiko and Kushiro offer quieter alternatives. Hotels can enhance stays with guided tours, seasonal experiences, curated itineraries, and special festival-themed activities.Top tip: Keep an eye on the Japanese Weather Association for a forecast of when and where blossoms will bloom, as sakura season actually runs all the way from March until May. Following forecasts from the Japan Meteorological Corporation suggest the blossoms will begin from March 20.Sports Event: Formula One World Championship, 6th Mar to 6th Dec, GlobalThe Formula One World Championship spans 24 Grands Prix across the globe, making it one of the longest and most commercially powerful sporting calendars in the world. According to Formula One, total season attendance reached a record 6.7 million in 2025, creating sustained travel demand across multiple regions throughout the year. Beyond ticket sales, the championship generates significant revenue through hospitality, sponsorship, and merchandise, reinforcing its appeal to both mass and premium travellers.Accommodation demand peaks sharply around race weekends. The Canadian Grand Prix leads on pricing, with average nightly hotel rates reaching €1,750, followed by Abu Dhabi at €694, highlighting the revenue potential for well-positioned properties. Iconic races such as Monaco continue to attract high-net-worth individuals and celebrities, driven by the sport’s association with luxury and exclusivity. Meanwhile, Singapore, with ticket prices around £1,000, appeals strongly to affluent travellers across the APAC region and international stopover visitors.Hotels can capitalise by offering luxury packages that combine accommodation with race tickets, rooftop viewing, simulator experiences, and after-race events. Practical touches such as shuttle services, VIP access, and themed marketing inspired by Drive to Survive help attract the global F1 fan base and maximise revenue during peak race periods. This year’s special focus is on sustainable driving, highlight your sustainability practices to stand out even more.Cultural Event: St Patrick's Day, 17th - IrelandSt Patrick's Day is a public holiday in Ireland, with thousands of visitors flocking to cities like Dublin to take part in festivals, parades and cultural tours. Celebrations of St. Patrick's Day also occur in the United States, with many planning gatherings, parades and special events.For hotel owners, offering packages that include proximity to St. Patrick's Day events, traditional Irish food experiences, and tours of historic Irish landmarks can attract guests and showcase the famous Irish hospitality.Sports Event: World Marathon Majors, March to November 2026 – GlobalThe World Marathon Majors are fuelling the rise of race-cations and experiential travel, combining elite sport with destination travel. Brand Finance’s 2025 report shows the top 50 marathons generated $5.2 billion for local economies in 2024, with $2.7 billion from the seven majors.2026 Marathon dates: Tokyo Marathon: 1 MarchBoston Marathon: 20 AprilLondon Marathon: 26 AprilSydney Marathon: 30 AugustBerlin Marathon: 27 SeptemberChicago Marathon: 11 OctoberNew York Marathon: 1 November If you are in one of the host cities, you can capitalise with runner-focused wellness travel packages, recovery spaces, and spectator services aligned to this year-long demand. APRILCultural Event: Hana Matsuri, 8th - JapanHana Matsuri marks the birth of the Buddha and coincides with Japan’s cherry blossom (sakura) season, adding cultural depth to spring travel. Hotels can create calming, meaningful stays through meditation packages, themed decor inspired by the life of the Buddha, and gentle seasonal experiences. Highlighting local festivities and peaceful viewing spots helps attract travellers seeking reflection alongside celebration.Cultural Event: Songkran, 13th – ThailandSongkran marks the Thai New Year and is one of Thailand’s most immersive cultural celebrations. Rooted in Buddhist cleansing rituals, the festival is best known for its large-scale water celebrations, especially in Bangkok. In 2025, Thailand welcomed 666,180 international tourist arrivals, averaging 95,169 visitors per day. Hotels can support demand with guided city tours, cultural context, and practical advice to help guests experience Songkran.Cultural Event: Easter, 20th - GlobalEaster is not typically a reason for travel, but it provides a window of opportunity for hotel owners to engage in seasonal marketing. To encourage bookings, consider offering secret discounts or unique promo codes, or hosting special events related to Easter.Cultural Event: Golden Week, 29th to 5th May – JapanGolden Week brings together several national holidays, prompting one of Japan’s busiest domestic travel periods. With large volumes of local travellers on the move, demand rises across major cities and regional destinations alike. Hotels can capitalise through early-booking offers, flexible stay options, and experience-led packages. Where cherry blossoms linger by region, highlighting seasonal scenery alongside local tours and family-friendly activities can help properties stand out during this high-demand week.Cultural Event: Spring Break, April to early May - USASpring Break remains a key travel period in the United States, with strong intent to travel year on year. Research from AAA Travel shows rising interest compared to the previous year, suggesting sustained demand. Warm-weather destinations such as Florida, Mexico, and the Caribbean remain popular, while international cities including Paris and Tokyo are also seeing increased interest.Be sure to capture this opportunity early, as many travellers are increasingly booking in advance and this high travel intent period will sell fast. MAYCultural Event: Cinco de Mayo, 5th - Mexico, USCinco de Mayo is a day of Mexican pride and heritage and is steeped in history, as a celebration that commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over the French Empire on May 5th, 1862. Many communities celebrate this event on a grand scale, with parades, battle re-enactments, mariachi music, traditional foods, piñatas, and fireworks to mark the celebration.This is a highly anticipated time for travellers to Mexico, as they flock to experience the heart of this festive occasion in all its traditional glory. Promote activities and accommodations in Mexico, as well as in popular US destinations that fully embrace the celebration.Cultural Event: Cannes Film Festival, 14 to 24 May - FranceThe Cannes Film Festival attracts the global film elite, international press, and culture-driven travellers, driving sharp increases in hotel demand across the French Riviera. OTA and metasearch activity peaks in the first week of the event, aligning with the highest average room rates during the festival.Hotels can capitalise by showcasing premium suites, VIP services, and tailored experiences for filmmakers and media teams. Private transport, dedicated concierge support, and bespoke luxury packages add value. Last but not least, why not host screenings or film-inspired soirées to attract visitors who may not have access to the main festival? JUNEIndustry Event: World Environment Day, 5th - GlobalWorld Environment Day celebrates sustainability, conservation, and climate action worldwide. Hotels and travel operators can align with the event by promoting eco-friendly practices, green initiatives, and sustainable experiences.This is your chance to build your social media presence as a sustainable brand while offering workshops, nature-focused tours, or partnerships with local environmental organisations.Sports Event: UEFA Champions League Final, 30th - Budapest, HungaryThe UEFA Champions League Final is a must-attend event for every football fan. In 2026, the finals will be hosted for the first time ever at Puskás Aréna in Budapest, Hungary with the aim of bringing massive tourism and economic benefits to the host city. As with the Super Bowl, create special packages that include tickets, transportation and local tours to enhance your guests' experience. Also, set up screens at your hotel to broadcast the match while offering drinks to create a fantastic atmosphere.Cultural Event: Summer Solstice, 21st - GlobalCelebrated globally as the longest day of the year, this date is ideal for outdoor experiences, cultural tourism, and wellness retreats. As a hotelier, you could consider developing ‘Solstice Escapes’ featuring activities like sunrise yoga, guided nature walks, or al fresco dining experiences. Besides, arranging twilight experiences, such as bonfires, star gazing, or live music performances, to make the most of the extended daylight, would be really appealing to guests and help entice them to stay at your property.Music Event: Music Festivals, all month - EuropeJune marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere and is a great time for music lovers to attend outdoor festivals. Europe boasts renowned festivals attracting music fans from around the world. Some examples of major festivals include: Primavera Sound in Barcelona, Spain: 3rd June - 7th JuneRock am Ring in Nürburgring and Rock im Park in Nuremberg, Germany: 5th-7th JunePrimavera Sound in Porto, Portugal: 11th - 14th JuneGlastonbury Festival in Pilton in England, UK: CancelledRoskilde in Roskilde, Denmark: June 27th - 4th July As a hotel owner, this presents a unique opportunity to target these travellers and offer them comfortable accommodation during their festival visit. Position your property as an ideal place to stay by outlining activities near the festival or offering packages with festival tickets and transportation to enhance your guests' experience. JULYCultural Event: Independence Day, 4th July – United StatesIndependence Day is the quintessential American holiday, celebrated with family gatherings, fireworks, parades, speeches, and sporting events. In 2024, over 70.9 million Americans were expected to travel during the long weekend.For hotels, this is a prime opportunity to attract domestic and international travellers seeking an authentic experience. Offer packages that include transport and tickets to popular Independence Day events, and highlight your property’s proximity to key celebrations. Where possible, upsell services such as car rentals, airport transfers, or curated activities to enhance convenience and value. Try our upselling techniques, designed to help properties capture additional revenue while improving guest experiences.Sports Event: Tour de France & Tour de France Femmes, 4th to 26th and 1st to 9th Aug - FranceThe Tour de France attracts cycling enthusiasts and fans from across the globe, boosting demand in Paris and regions hosting the final stages.As a way to capitalise on this event, consider hosting watch parties for key stages, with themed snacks or drinks, to enhance the guest experience. For hotels outside Paris, emphasise your proximity to final-stage locations to attract fans following the race route.Sports Event: Commonwealth Games, 23rd to 2nd Aug - ScotlandBy now, it’s clear that sports tourism is a massive opportunity. Like previous major events, hotels can capitalise by building packages tailored for spectators, combining comfortable stays with convenient access to venues.Highlight Scotland’s famous destinations, from Edinburgh’s historic charm to the Highlands’ scenic beauty, and offer curated tours, local experiences, and wellness options. Early-booking promotions, transport services, and family-friendly amenities can attract both domestic and international visitors, ensuring your property captures peak demand while providing memorable, event-focused stays. AUGUSTCultural Event: Hanabi (Fireworks Festivals), all month - JapanAttendance at Hanabi fireworks festivals across Japan is a must for those looking to immerse themselves in Japanese culture. The dazzling display of colourful fireworks and traditional Japanese music and food creates a lively and captivating atmosphere.This is a great time for guests to visit various parts of Japan and take in the beauty of its culture and tradition, and hotel owners can appeal to guests by offering unique experiences and amenities related to the event. If your hotel is in a location close by to the festivities and has rooms with a balcony, consider selling these rooms as the perfect vantage point for firework viewing. SEPTEMBERCultural Event: Oktoberfest, 19th to 5th Oct - MunichOktoberfest in Munich, Germany is a world-famous celebration of German culture that features delicious food, live music, and plenty of beer. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, games, and immerse themselves in the joyous and festive atmosphere of the event. To encourage bookings from guests, offer package deals that include Oktoberfest tickets, traditional German food and drinks, and cultural activities for guests to fully experience the festivities.Cultural Event: Chuseok, 24th to 26th - South KoreaChuseok, or ‘autumn evening,’ is Korea’s most important harvest festival, offering a three-day travel window around the full moon. Guests can experience traditional circle dances, shuttlecock games, and ancestor rituals.Hotels can attract travellers with cultural packages, local tours, and immersive experiences that combine comfort with authentic festival celebrations during this peak period.Cultural Event: Mid-Autumn Festival, 25th - AsiaThe Mid-Autumn Festival, or Moon Festival, is a key cultural celebration across China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Macau. Hotels can enhance guest stays with activities like lantern making, mooncake tastings, and street performance tours. Hosting in-house festive events or offering traditional treats and souvenirs creates immersive experiences, attracting both domestic and international travellers during this peak period. OCTOBERCultural Event: Halloween, 31st - GlobalHalloween is a perfect occasion for hotel owners to entice travellers and offer a one-of-a-kind holiday experience. Encourage your guests to celebrate Halloween in a unique way by transforming your property into a 'haunted' hotel or partnering with tour operators to secure tickets to a theme park, such as Universal or Disneyland (both of which transform for the season). NOVEMBERCultural Event: Day of the Dead, 1st - MexicoThe Day of the Dead in Mexico is a colourful celebration that offers tourists a chance to experience Mexican culture and traditions. The holiday, which honours the dead with altars, traditional food, and lively parades, creates a rich and vibrant atmosphere that your guests can immerse themselves in.Providing local information for your guests to get involved with Day of the Dead festivities will go a long way to making their stay a memorable one, and will also help to support the community.Cultural Event: Thanksgiving, 26th - USAThanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods in the US, with around 55 million Americans expected to travel. Hotels can attract both domestic and long-haul travellers with festive offerings such as traditional dinners for families or innovative activities like holiday drinks menus featuring spiced mulled wine.Cultural Event: Black Friday, 27th - GlobalBlack Friday provides an opportunity for hotel owners to attract travellers by offering deals and promotions. Take advantage of this commercial holiday, along with Singles Day, Buen Fin, and Travel Tuesday, to create attractive offers and campaigns on social media.Moreover, don't miss out on our annual Black Friday campaigns. Join them, and you'll have more opportunities to be seen by our 60,000+ travel distributors. DECEMBERCultural Event: Winter Solstice, 21st - GlobalThe winter solstice is a significant astronomical event, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. It consistently falls between December 21 and 23, with the specific date changing annually. This year, the winter solstice falls on Monday, December 21st.This event is celebrated in various countries as an opportunity for travellers to engage in unique cultural experiences. For example, in Peru, build packages around the Inti Raymi Festival, offer winter tours to Iceland and Aurora Borealis. Want to attract travellers looking for unique global cruises? Provide pre- and post-cruise stays for guests so you can stand out amongst these cruise travellers.Cultural Event: Christmas Day, 25th - GlobalThe holiday season is a busy time for tourism, with people looking to spend time with loved ones and create special memories. Decorate your hotel to create a festive, cosy atmosphere and offer traditional Christmas dinners or seasonal treats in your restaurant. Marketing stays well in advance ensures you capture high-demand bookings during this premium period.Cultural Event: New Year's Eve, 31st - GlobalAnd so the cycle begins again! New Year’s Eve sees a surge in travel as guests look to welcome the new year in style. Create unforgettable experiences with entertainment, activities, dining, and festive décor. Offer guidance on local countdown celebrations, or provide in-room celebrations such as a complimentary bottle of champagne to let guests ring in the year in comfort. Don’t forget to check out our tips for New Year's Eve promotional ideas.Now you know the key dates and events for 2026. Pick the events that suit your property and start crafting packages and promotions. Make the most of 2026 to boost your bookings and revenue all year long! Register your property