Key dates for businesses in 2024

• Monday, 1January: New Year's Day (Public Holiday)

The calendar year kicks off with New Year's Day, a public holiday that many spend setting new goals, enjoying the summer sun, and spending time with friends and family. Tap into the opportunity in the spirit of new beginnings and resolutions through social posts, promotions and business communications.

• Friday, 12 - Sunday, 21: Tour Down Under
• Thursday, 26 January: Australia Day (Public Holiday)

Australia Day is a national holiday observed across the country, but may be sensitive for many people, particularly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Ensure any business strategy involving this public holiday is carefully considered and respectful to First Nation Australians.

• Monday, 29 January: Term 1 begins for state schools

The Term 1 back to school rush is prime time for retailers that sell school supplies, electronics, shoes and sporting goods. Consider special promotions and ‘back-to-school’ campaigns to leverage this period of need. Be sure to stand out from the crowd, as this period becomes saturated with messaging.

• Wednesday, 14 February: Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day offers an opportunity to tap into the mood of romance and love, especially if your business is in the hospitality or retail industry. Create a catered experience for couples to enjoy a romantic experience or offer irresistible gifting ideas.

• Friday, 16 February - Sunday, 17 March: Adelaide Fringe
• Wednesday 28 February: Company tax returns to be lodged.

• Monday, 11 March: Adelaide Cup Day (Public Holiday)

The Adelaide Cup is a horse race typically hosted on the second Monday of March.

• Friday, 8 March: International Women's Day (IWD)

• Friday 8 - Monday, 11 March: WOMADelaide
• Friday, 29 March: Good Friday (Public Holiday)

Good Friday marks the start of the Easter weekend, a significant religious holiday. Food and confectionery businesses can cater to the increased demand for Easter-themed treats and delicacies. With two adjacent public holidays, this weekend is also a very popular choice for holiday-makers, a consideration for regional and tourism businesses.

• Saturday, 30 March: Easter Saturday (Public Holiday)

• Monday, 1 April: Easter Monday (Public Holiday)

Easter is a time for family gatherings and celebrations. Businesses can tailor their offerings to cater to family activities, Easter-themed gifts and special dining experiences.

• Friday, 4 - Sunday 7 April: AFL Gather Round

• Friday, 12 April: Term 1 ends for state schools
  
• Thursday, 25 April: Anzac Day (Public Holiday)

Businesses in the hospitality industry can host special events to facilitate their customers honouring and enjoying this day. Be warned that events do kick off early with a 6:00am Dawn Service!

• Friday, 26 - Sunday 28 April: LIV Golf
• Monday, 29 April - Friday, 3 May: Small Business Week

A week-long program of events, workshops and information sessions to help South Australian businesses grow and succeed. The theme of the week is ‘helping you get on with business’ with a program designed around useful topics that we know small businesses are interested in. Register for more information.

• Sunday, 12 May: Mother’s Day

Businesses offering giftable products or services that have a high appeal to women often see massive demand leading up to this day. Tailor special promotions and marketing communication to encourage customers to make gift-giving purchases for mothers. Be aware that for some people, Mother’s Day can be a difficult day and consider whether your audience can ‘opt out’ of Mother’s Day related communications.

• Tuesday, May 14, 2024: Federal Budget announced

The federal budget details the intended expenditures of the government into the local economy and any financial assistance toward the cost-of-living and business operations.

• The South Australian State Budget 2024-25 will be handed down in June, with an exact date to be announced by the Treasurer.
  
  
• Friday, 7 June: World Food Safety Day

• Monday, 10 June: The King’s Official Birthday (Public Holiday)
  
• Monday, 24 June: Micro-, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Day

Publicly acknowledges the vital role small businesses in which the community relies on.

• Sunday, 30 June: End of Financial Year

Consumers have become accustomed to businesses offering end of financial year clearance sales and promotions. Special offers can be particularly enticing to those expecting a sizeable tax return and find themselves with additional disposable income at hand. For your businesses’ own financial and tax obligations, please make sure to note additional dates here that may impact you.

• Friday, 5 July: Term 2 ends for state schools
  
• Monday, 22 July: Term 3 begins for state schools
  
• Friday, 26 July: Paris 2024 Olympics begins

• Sunday, 11 August: Paris 2024 Olympics ends

• Sunday, 1 September: Father’s Day

Consumers will be on the look-out for gifting opportunities to celebrate the fathers in their lives. Retailers specialising in camping, sporting, electronic or similar types of goods see a particular influx of demand and should promote their offering with appeal towards this day. As with Mother’s Day, Father’s Day can be a difficult day for some people, so please consider if your customers can ‘opt out’ of Father’s Day related communications.

• Friday, 27 September: Term 3 ends for state schools

• Monday, 7 October: Labour Day (Public Holiday)
  
• Monday, 14 October: Term 4 begins for state schools
  
• Thursday, 31 October: Halloween
• Thursday, 31 October: Tax return lodgement date

For sole traders, partnerships, trusts and individuals, 31 October is the date that your tax return needs to be lodged, unless you lodge through a registered tax agent.

• Thursday, 14 - Sunday, 17 November: Vailo ADL 500
• Friday, November 29: Black Friday

Black Friday marks the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season. Retailers offer some of their steepest discounts of the year, attracting bargain-hungry consumers.

• Monday, 2 December: Cyber Monday

Following Black Friday, Cyber Monday focuses on online shopping. E-commerce businesses can leverage a significant increase in web traffic and buying intent during this period through special deals and marketing campaigns.

• Friday, 13 December: Term 4 ends for state schools
  
• Tuesday, 24 December: Christmas Eve (Public Holiday)

Christmas Eve is a time of anticipation and excitement for the upcoming holiday. Businesses can create a festive atmosphere with decorations, special events, and extended shopping hours. Be sure to cater to the gifting mindset that pervades the holiday season.

• Wednesday, 25 December: Christmas Day (Public Holiday)

The holiday season comes to fruition, with many people choosing to partake in celebrations of gift-giving and family.

• Thursday, 26 December: Proclamation Day / Boxing Day

Many consumers are again on the look-out for a bargain as businesses offer steep discounts for stock leftover from the holiday period. Ensure that your communication and promotions make it over the noise and you’re able to entice customers with your unique offerings.

• Tuesday, 31 December: New Year’s Eve

New Year's Eve is a time of excitement in anticipation for new beginnings. Hospitality businesses can host special events or offer New Year's Eve packages to help customers celebrate this momentous occasion.

Afterpay Day(s) - Seasonal

Depending on your business and target audience, you may want to align with Afterpay Days. These are periods when customers using the ‘buy now, pay later’ service are more likely to make purchases.