Program for Unique Holidays: November 2024
by David Klemt
I don’t know why but AI seems to think anyone who owns a restaurant or bar has a beard. AI-generated image.
Do you want to stand out from from other restaurants and bars in your area? Change how you think about your November holiday programming.
Several holidays are set against every date on the calendar, and this month is no exception. These holidays range from mainstream to esoteric.
Pay attention to the “weird” or unique holidays to raise eyebrows, carve out a niche for your restaurant or bar, and attract more guests. Why do what everyone else is already doing? Why program only around the same holidays as everyone else?
To provide a handful of examples, November boasts celebrations of the bold and pungent, Gose beer style, stuffing, and metal. Those are all things you can get creative and program around, and celebrate with your guests.
Of course, you shouldn’t try to celebrate every holiday, strange or otherwise. Focus on the days that are authentic to your brand; resonate with your guests; and help you grab attention on social media.
You’ll find suggestions for promotions below. However, the idea behind our monthly holiday promotions roundup is to inspire you and your team to get creative and come up with unique programming ideas.
For our October 2024 holidays list, click here.
November 8: Cook Something Bold and Pungent Day
This is the day to shine a spotlight on menu items that are heavy on aromatics, intense flavors, and presentations that demand attention.
November 9: Chaos Never Dies Day
If your bar or restaurant has a chill, relaxing vibe, this may be a great holiday for you and your guests. Chaos Never Dies Day is about mindfulness, relaxation, de-stressing, and, if healthy, socializing with friends and family.
Encourage your guests to visit your venue, silence their phones, and escape for a while.
November 10: Area Code Day
Area Code Day is an excellent time to celebrate your community. Showcase the local producers and collaborators with whom you partner, for example.
November 11: National Metal Day
Does your bar play metal? Do you feature live metal bands? Would you say your overall theme and ambiance is metal? Have I got a holiday for you…
November 15: National Philanthropy Day
Organize food, coat, or clothing drives. Highlight a charitable organization that your bar, restaurant, or hotel supports. This is one of the best days of the year for you and your guests to get involved with organizations that improve the community.
November 17: International Happy Gose Day
Several centuries old, Gose comes to us from Germany. Generally speaking, this wheat beer is tart, sour, spicy, and salty. Of course, craft brewers love to make styles their own, so there are Goses out there with other dominant characteristics.
Fans of this style of beer will tell you that it pairs well with everything. However, when developing your Gose promotion, keep grilled meats, seafood, roasted root vegetables, and tangy, powerful cheeses in mind.
November 21: National Stuffing Day
We all know that person whose main food focus on Thanksgiving (American, Canadian, or otherwise) is stuffing (or dressing, depending on preparation and pedantry). Sure, the other dishes are great, but they may just stab someone in the hand with their fork if they get between them and stuffing. In fact, we may be that person.
In the lead-up to Thanksgiving, task your kitchen with creating an irresistible stuffing (or dressing), and preparing it in multiple ways: waffled, sandwich, etc. Who knows? It may just lead to Thanksgiving Eve takeout orders.
November 22: National Farm-City Week
People celebrate this week to honor the farmers who help make American Thanksgiving possible. Of course, farmers deserve recognition for more than just one holiday.
This is a fantastic time of year to call attention to the farms and farmers with whom your restaurant partners.
November 29: Sinkie Day
Okay, so this one could be interesting. With all the prep and formality that can go into some people’s Thanksgiving celebrations, Sinkie Day offers welcome casualness. In simple terms, it’s about grabbing a bite while standing over a sink. Basically, rejecting a dining table, and eating anywhere else.
One spin you and your restaurant team can put on Sinkie Day is to highlight the items on your menu that are transported and eaten just about anywhere easily.
November 30: National Mason Jar Day
Cocktails, their alcohol-free counterparts, soft drinks like teas and sodas, kombucha, desserts, even salads… There’s a lot a creative bar or restaurant team can do with menu items, mason jars, and presentations.
Image: Microsoft Designer
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