1
JAN
New Year’s Day
"Hangover cures", heavy comfort breakfasts, hydration multipliers, and traditional lucky foods (black-eyed peas, lentils, cabbage).
Read the Tastewise report →Every food moment that matters
LTO Calendar 2026
An LTO calendar is a dated map of the food moments your limited-time offers should target. This one covers 60 events across 2026, from national food days to seasonal demand windows in retail and foodservice.
LIVE PREVIEW
January 2026
8 events
January 2026
1
JAN
Dry January
Massive spike in zero-proof cocktails, functional beverages, adaptogenic drinks, and premium mocktail menus.
Read the Tastewise report →
1
JAN
Veganuary
The biggest plant-based push of the year. Fast-food chains launch new vegan burgers, and CPG brands push dairy-free alternatives.
Read the Tastewise report →4
JAN
National Spaghetti Day
Italian restaurant promos, CPG pasta sauce bundles, and a push for low-carb/alternative pasta (chickpea, lentil pasta).
Read the Tastewise report →
5
JAN
National Keto Day
Perfect timing for CPG brands to promote low-carb, high-fat snacks, sugar-free syrups, and keto-friendly baked goods.
Read the Tastewise report →
20
JAN
National Pie Day
Sweet bakery promotions, but also a push for savory pies (pot pies, meat pies) for winter comfort.
Read the Tastewise report →30
JAN
National Croissant Day
Viral bakery trends (like the supreme/circular croissant or savory stuffed croissants).
Read the Tastewise report →31
JAN
National Hot Chocolate Day
Winter beverage menus, functional hot cocoas (with adaptogens or mushroom powders), and premium topping bars.
Read the Tastewise report →7 events
February 2026
8
FEB
Super Bowl
Ultimate snacking day. Huge volumes for chicken wings, pizza, dips (buffalo chicken, spinach artichoke), and beer promos.
Read the Tastewise report →9
FEB
National Pizza Day
Pizzeria BOGO deals, innovative crusts (cauliflower, sourdough), and spicy honey or global flavor toppings.
Read the Tastewise report →13
FEB
Galentine’s Day
Female-focused brunch LTOs, bottomless mimosas, pink cocktails, and sharable dessert platters.
Read the Tastewise report →
14
FEB
Valentine’s Day
Premium chocolate LTOs, romantic multi-course menus, strawberry and rose flavors, and aphrodisiac ingredients (oysters, chili).
Read the Tastewise report →18
FEB
National Drink Wine Day
Restaurant wine pairings, retail wine bundling, and wine-infused recipes.
Read the Tastewise report →22
FEB
National Margarita Day
Massive for casual dining. Spicy margaritas (jalapeño, habanero), tropical fruit twists (mango, passionfruit), and premium tequila promos.
Read the Tastewise report →
24
FEB
National Tortilla Chip Day
CPG promotions, guacamole and salsa pairings, and loaded nacho LTOs in foodservice.
Read the Tastewise report →6 events
March 2026
1
MAR
National Nutrition Month
Massive CPG push for functional benefits, clean labels, high protein, and fortified ingredients.
Read the Tastewise report →
6
MAR
National Frozen Food Day
Highlighting premium frozen meals, frozen novelties, and convenient air-fryer snacks.
Read the Tastewise report →7
MAR
National Cereal Day
Nostalgic CPG marketing, cereal-milk flavored ice creams, and breakfast-inspired baked goods.
Read the Tastewise report →
9
MAR
National Meatball Day
Plant-based meatball subs, global variations (Swedish, Italian, Asian-glazed), and comfort food deals.
Read the Tastewise report →17
MAR
St. Patrick’s Day
Green-colored LTOs (matcha, pistachio, mint), Irish cream coffees, stout-infused dishes, and corned beef specials.
Read the Tastewise report →25
MAR
International Waffle Day
Chicken and waffles combos, sweet/savory breakfast LTOs, and global twists (like Liege or Hong Kong bubble waffles).
Read the Tastewise report →5 events
April 2026
1
APR
Earth Month
Massive push for sustainable sourcing, upcycled ingredients, regenerative agriculture, and eco-friendly packaging.
Read the Tastewise report →2
APR
National Burrito Day
(First Thursday in April) Major QSR volume day. BOGO deals, premium proteins (birria, plant-based steak), and spicy salsa LTOs.
Read the Tastewise report →
5
APR
Easter Sunday
Spring brunches (lamb, glazed ham), pastel-colored desserts (ube, matcha, strawberry), carrot cake flavors, and premium chocolate LTOs.
Read the Tastewise report →7
APR
National Beer Day
Craft beer pairings, beer-battered appetizers (onion rings, fish), and local brewery collaborations for foodservice.
Read the Tastewise report →26
APR
National Pretzel Day
Soft pretzel LTOs at bakeries/bars, beer cheese dips, spicy mustard pairings, and sweet cinnamon sugar twists.
Read the Tastewise report →3 events
May 2026
5
MAY
Cinco de Mayo
Massive volume for tacos, spicy margaritas, Tajin rims, and Latin American flavors (Guava, Tamarind, Hibiscus).
Read the Tastewise report →
10
MAY
Mother’s Day
Premium brunch items, floral flavor profiles (rose, lavender, elderflower), afternoon tea bundles, and indulgent desserts.
Read the Tastewise report →21
MAY
Memorial Day
The official start of summer BBQ season. Huge retail push for grilling meats, hot dogs, hard seltzers, and patriotic packaging.
Read the Tastewise report →4 events
June 2026
1
JUN
World Milk Day
CPG promotions on both traditional dairy and plant-based milks (oat, macadamia, potato), plus cereal collaborations.
Read the Tastewise report →4
JUN
National Cheese Day
Artisanal cheese boards, premium burger toppings (smoked gouda, raclette), and cheese-stuffed crusts.
Read the Tastewise report →
5
JUN
National Donut Day
Massive bakery LTOs, free donut promos, global flavors (like ube mochi donuts), and savory donut sandwiches.
Read the Tastewise report →18
JUN
International Sushi Day
Premium rolls, sustainable seafood messaging, spicy mayo/ponzu promotions, and the rise of plant-based seafood alternatives.
Read the Tastewise report →6 events
July 2026
1
JUL
National Ice Cream Month
Massive retail and foodservice push for frozen novelties, plant-based ice creams, and innovative seasonal flavors (sweet corn, olive oil, botanical).
Read the Tastewise report →
4
JUL
Independence Day (4th of July)
The biggest summer holiday. Red, white, and blue LTOs, massive volume for hot dogs, burgers, hard seltzers, and patriotic packaging.
Read the Tastewise report →13
JUL
National French Fry Day
Fast-food app downloads spike. Loaded fries (truffle, carne asada, kimchi) and premium dipping sauce LTOs.
Read the Tastewise report →14
JUL
Bastille Day
French-inspired menus, bakery promotions (croissants, macarons), wine pairings, and gourmet cheese boards.
Read the Tastewise report →21
JUL
National Junk Food Day
Indulgent, over-the-top menu mashups, retro snacks, and high-calorie "cheat day" marketing.
Read the Tastewise report →24
JUL
National Tequila Day
Huge driver for casual dining. Premium margaritas, tequila-infused food menus (agave glazes), and RTD canned cocktails.
Read the Tastewise report →3 events
August 2026
6
AUG
Back-to-School Season
Massive retail CPG push for lunchbox snacks, allergen-free (nut-free) options, easy weeknight meal kits, and functional juices.
Read the Tastewise report →
16
AUG
National Rum Day
Tiki bar takeovers, tropical LTOs (Mai Tais, Piña Coladas), and rum-glazed proteins (pineapple rum wings).
Read the Tastewise report →
24
AUG
National Waffle Day
Major breakfast/brunch volume. Chicken and waffles, savory waffle sandwiches, and global variations (Liege, bubble waffles).
Read the Tastewise report →6 events
September 2026
1
SEP
Hispanic Heritage Month
Massive push for authentic regional Latin American cuisines, Birria, Tajin rims, and Caribbean flavor crossovers.
Read the Tastewise report →1
SEP
Biscuit Month
QSR breakfast promotions featuring spicy chicken biscuits, hot honey drizzles, and premium savory gravy pairings.
Read the Tastewise report →7
SEP
Labor Day
The unofficial end of summer. The last major retail push for grilling meats, BBQ sauces, and summer hard seltzers.
Read the Tastewise report →19
SEP
Oktoberfest
Brewery and pub menus feature giant soft pretzels, beer-cheese dips, bratwursts, spicy mustard flights, and Märzen lagers.
Read the Tastewise report →22
SEP
First Day of Fall
The complete menu shift to warming, hearty flavors: brown butter, sage, maple, apple cider, and roasted root vegetables.
Read the Tastewise report →
29
SEP
Coffee Day
Massive foot traffic driver for cafes. Free coffee via loyalty apps, plant-based creamer promotions, and fall-flavored lattes.
Read the Tastewise report →3 events
October 2026
1
OCT
Vegetarian Awareness Month
Massive push for plant-based innovation, meat alternatives in QSRs, and vegetable-forward CPG snacks.
Read the Tastewise report →9
OCT
World Egg Day
Premium breakfast sandwiches, spicy chili crisp on eggs, and plant-based liquid egg substitute campaigns.
Read the Tastewise report →31
OCT
Halloween
Peak candy sales, dry-ice cocktails, "bloody" berry syrups, and family-bundle meal deals for trick-or-treat night.
Read the Tastewise report →5 events
November 2026
2
NOV
World Vegan Day
High-impact day for vegan restaurant deals, plant-based CPG launches, and influencer campaigns highlighting meatless eating.
Read the Tastewise report →23
NOV
National Espresso Day
Transition to winter coffee menus. Bakeries and cafes launch peppermint mochas, gingerbread lattes, and premium retail bean bundles.
Read the Tastewise report →26
NOV
Thanksgiving
The biggest home-cooking day. Massive CPG sales for gravy, stuffing, pies, host-gift wines, and pre-cooked restaurant catering packages.
Read the Tastewise report →27
NOV
Black Friday
E-commerce F&B push. Subscription box discounts (coffee, wine, meat), direct-to-consumer (DTC) snack bundles, and limited-edition merch drops.
Read the Tastewise report →30
NOV
Cyber Monday
Final push for online food gifting, holiday CPG bundles, and heavy discounts on digital gift cards for restaurant chains.
Read the Tastewise report →4 events
December 2026
4
DEC
Hanukkah
Kosher promotions, traditional foods like latkes (potato pancakes), brisket, sufganiyot (jelly donuts), and chocolate gelt.
Read the Tastewise report →5
DEC
Repeal Day
Bars and casual dining push classic cocktails (Old Fashioneds, Martinis), dark spirits, and speakeasy-themed LTOs.
Read the Tastewise report →21
DEC
Winter Solstice
Focus shifts heavily to hot beverages (premium hot chocolate bars, mulled wine), hearty soups, and root vegetable dishes.
Read the Tastewise report →25
DEC
Christmas Day
Massive retail and catering push leading up to the day. Pre-ordered roasts, glazed hams, holiday pies, and festive coffee blends.
Read the Tastewise report →
