July’s shifting rhythms create fresh opportunities for email marketers who know how to adapt. As people around the world celebrate everything from national holidays to global appreciation days, your business gains natural entry points for conversations that feel helpful rather than salesy. The key is using seasonal changes in email behavior as an opportunity to temporarily switch up the conversation you’re already having with them. In other words, tell them something new or different.

July holidays — 2025

July offers patriotism, cultural celebrations, and plenty of unique observances. Here are the key dates for your marketing calendar:

July Awareness Months

These month-long observances offer flexibility for ongoing campaigns:

In the US:

Multinational/Global

July newsletter ideas

Practically every major holiday in July involves group gatherings and being with others. Here’s how to work with the month’s biggest themes:

Observing National Celebrations

Independence Day and Canada Day are opportunities for businesses to connect with customers’ sense of national identity and community pride. They’re also popular for big-box store sales. Here are some ideas to stand out from that noise this time of year:

Seek “quiet patriots.” Ask for nominations of customers or community figures who make a difference without making noise about it. The teacher who stays late, the neighbor who shovels everyone’s sidewalks at dawn, and the teen who helps elderly residents with groceries.

Feature classics. Spotlight the products, brands, menu items, or offerings that have stood the test of time. This ties into the themes of traditions, whether family vacation or national identity ones.

School Holiday Time

With families spending more time together during school breaks, July presents unique opportunities to target family-focused campaigns.

Design family activity guides. Create content around keeping kids entertained during holiday breaks and position your products that encourage family bonding time. Think learning activities, skill-building ideas, or creative projects that families can do together.

Launch “family time” promotions. Offer package deals, group discounts, or products designed for multiple age groups. Create campaigns around “making memories together” that appeal to parents looking to maximize quality time with their kids.

Target back-to-school preparation. For places where school returns in August, July is prime time for back-to-school shopping reminders. Create early-bird campaigns that help parents get organized before the rush.

Feed Their Interest

Imagine your customers eagerly digging into your July emails. Here’s how to make that happen.

Develop food-inspired content. Partner with a local ice cream parlor with a “what your favorite scoop says about you” newsletter, and pair those with something your business provides. Or do a round-up of best hostess gifts that capture your area’s local flavor for your customers to bring when visiting others.

Launch comfort campaigns. Remind them how you spice up the everyday with perfect treats for any season. “Treat yourself” promotions work for everything from everyday necessities to special experiences.

Offer tips for entertaining. Provide advice for throwing successful gatherings, indoors or out. Show how your products enhance these experiences or solve common challenges when having company.  

Celebrate Human Connection

World Population Day, International Day of Friendship, Cousins Day, Aunt and Uncle Day, and even Teddy Bear Picnic Day celebrate bonds of all types.

Highlight your diverse community. Share stories from customers around the world or celebrate the different backgrounds of your team members. People appreciate businesses that transcend location, season, culture, or background.

Spotlight sharing. Offer “bring a friend” or “try something new” discounts, referral programs with meaningful rewards, or products designed for sharing. Position your business as a bridge that connects people across different experiences and locations.

Have a “how far can you go” contest. As a business owner, you might be stuck at work, but your brand doesn’t have to be. Make a list of locations or offbeat situations for your customers to snap a clear pic of themselves in your company’s t-shirt, or holding your decal or swag. Think “on the top floor of the Burj Khalifa,” “from the Croissette at Cannes,” “On stage at the Newport Folk Festival” or simply “Furthest from home.” Offer prizes to those who accomplish something on this list, and leave room for your customers’ most creative ideas.

Stay Locally Focused

Parks and Recreation Month celebrates leisure activities in your backyard. And not everyone can, or chooses to, get away this month. Here’s how to keep them engaged.

Share recommendations. Create best-of lists for local parks, indoor activities, or seasonal experiences in your area. Position your products as essential gear for these activities or perfect rewards after quality time spent with loved ones.

Create a passport program. Partner with your fellow small biz besties and print up a card for people to get stamped when making a purchase at each business. Every completed passport is an entry into a drawing for a grand prize. This can be especially effective if you’re located in a popular tourist area where the foot traffic tends to be monopolized by only a handful of places.

No matter what you feature in your newsletter this month, whether it’s a challenge, tip, or question, be sure to include a branded hashtag and a custom one. Then, share a matching post on social media, so you can easily find, follow, and engage with what your readers share!

Mastering July Email Seasonality

In many regions, July means vacation mode. People check email less, response times slow down, and attention spans get shorter. Your campaigns don’t need to hibernate — it means they need to work smarter. Here’s how.

Your best time to send emails may need to shift. People may be taking longer weekends. So if Mondays and Fridays tend to be your normal send days, consider Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday instead. Speaking of Thursdays, people like to leave on Thursday nights to get a jump on weekend traffic to popular destinations; you might want to send emails in the morning.  

Plan sends around travel patterns. The week before major holidays can bring higher engagement as people prepare for time off. The week after holidays can work too, as people catch up on emails they missed.

Use mobile-first design. People checking email while traveling rely heavily on their phones. Ensure your campaigns look perfect on smaller screens.

Consider using SMS. With a 98% read rate, text messages get your point across, and most important, seen. If you’ve got a flash sale, limited-time-offer, or short tempting offer, go for it!

Create “travel-friendly” content that provides quick value. Tips, lists, and easily scannable information — or shorter-than-usual newsletters — work better than long-form content right now.

Share your own schedule. Whether you go to “Summer Fridays” or have a closure due to your own family vacation planned, use your email footer to give people both advance and frequent notice of your current hours and time off so they can plan ahead.

July Newsletter Subject Lines & Tips

July subject lines need extra punch to cut through vacation distractions, neglected inboxes, and busy schedules.

Keep them short and scannable. Aim for 6 words or fewer when possible. “Last chance: 4th savings” works better than “Don’t miss out on our amazing Independence Day sale ending soon.”

Use seasonal urgency wisely. Create gentle time pressure without being pushy: “Gone by sunset.” “While you’re out…” “Melting fast: July specials” “Before your vacation ends…” “Last call for summer prices.”

Tap into FOMO and curiosity. Create intrigue without giving everything away. “What you missed this week,” “Your July surprise (open to see),” or “Your neighbors are loving this” work well for people checking email sporadically.

Lead with benefits, not features.  Tease with what they get, not what you’re selling. “Cool down in 60 seconds,” “Skip the long lines,” “Your family will thank you.”

Use the personal touch. Make it feel like a message from a friend. “Thought you’d want to know…” “This reminded me of you.” “Quick favor?” “You’re going to love this…”

Or use these subject lines for inspiration:

“True North deals for Canada Day!” — Canada Day (July 1, Canada)

“Red, white, and savings all weekend long!” — Independence Day (July 4, US)

“Inside: Tempting offers that are mint to bean.” — World Chocolate Day (July 7, Global)

“Today’s agenda: extra cuteness and extra savings.” — National Kitten Day (July 10, US) 

“We’re giving it all away today!” — National Give Something Away Day (July 15, US)

“Tattoos are permanent. This sale isn’t.” — National Tattoo Day (July 17, US) 

“Scoop up these sweet savings” — National Ice Cream Day (July 20, US)

“😎🍦☀️ July vibes inside!” — World Emoji Day (July 17, Global)

“One small step for savings, one giant leap for your goals” — Moon Day (July 20, Global)

“🧀 🍷Cheese offers are ama-zin today.” — National Wine and Cheese Day (July 25, US)
“Plot twist: Incredible deals inside!” — Paperback Book Day (July 30, Global)  

“Friends don’t let friends miss these deals” — International Day of Friendship (July 30, Global)

“Exclusive National Mutt Day deals. No pedigree required.” — National Mutt Day (July 31, US)

“Holy guacamole! It’s National Avocado Day” — National Avocado Day (July 31, US)

“Your quality time starts here” — Parks and Recreation Month

“Back-to-school prep starts now” — End of school holidays

For more July holidays and ideas on what you can do to share them with your customers, download the graphic below.

Click to open full graphic as a PDF.

Plan out the rest of your year with our Online Marketing Calendar! It includes a free template and list of holidays to help you stay organized and set up for a successful year.