03 Jan |
2026 Can Only Be Better |
From the onset of covid, it’s been tough for the catering sector. This hasn’t been made any easier with various Budget decisions that went to the core of what many on this sector rely on, their team. December discussions may redeploy some young people. They will then need to be skilled for their future careers. This may help and is a clear opportunity for 2026.
An often-quoted statistic is that pubs are closing at the rate of one per week. Pubs are traditionally the core of many communities. But it’s debatable whether this is the result of circumstances or simply changes in the way the majority of people now live. For some, the start of the pub’s decline was the 1967 introduction of drink driving laws! This reminds us as businesses we need to plan and change to meet people’s needs as those needs evolve.
That evolution is one reason, AC Services produce a calendar every year showing the traditional and the new. Why? Because they provide a reason either to theme an event to attract or to gather those who wish to avoid it by doing something else.
Sports Opportunities in 2026
2026 has at least three big sporting opportunities. At the turn of July into August is the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. An excellent opportunity to celebrate athletic prowess, just as schools break up. February sees the Winter Olympics in Italy in traditionally a quiet month for catering businesses aside from Valentine’s romantic meals.
The other big event is the Men’s Football World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico with two UK teams to support, England and Scotland. Of these the English qualifying games are easier to accommodate with 9 and 10pm kickoffs. What is key now the draw has happened, is the realization that America is a big continent and the Americans know how to make a quick buck when they see an opportunity. How many fans will actually travel given the prices involved is difficult to estimate.
Over 39 days there will be 104 games- 40 more than in 2022. This is a clear opportunity for all in the catering business either as one-off events to support or as an ongoing theme.
2026 Events Calendar
January: Dry January or Veganuary
- 7 Orthodox Christmas
- 12-1 February Tennis Australian Open Melbourne
- 25 Burns Night
February: Apprentices’ Month
- 1 Yorkshire Pudding Day
- 2-6 National Apprenticeship Week
- 5-14 March Rugby Union 6 Nations
- 6-22 Winter Olympics Milan and Cortina D’Ampezzo Italy
- 11 Chinese New Year, Year of the Horse
- 14 Valentine’s Day
- 17 Ramadan begins
March: Women’s History Month
- 2-9 British Pie Week
- 6 Employee Appreciation Day
- 10-13 Horse Racing Cheltenham Festival
- 15 Mother’s Day
- 20 Red Nose Day Comic Relief
- 30-1 April Hotel Restaurant and Catering Show
April: Stress Awareness Month
- 1 Jewish Passover
- 3 Good Friday
- 5 Western Easter Sunday
- 13-15 Farm Shop and Deli Show Birmingham
- 6-12 Golf Masters Augusta
- 11 Horse Racing Grand National Aintree
- 21 National Tea Day
May: Blooming Campaigns
- 4 Early May Bank Holiday
- 18-24 British Sandwich Week
- 19-25 Vegetarian Week
- 25 Spring Bank Holiday
June: LGBT Pride Month
- 7 World Food Safety Day
- 11 to July 19 Men’s World Cup Football USA, Canada and Mexico
- 18-21 Golf US Open Shinnecock Hills
- 21 Father’s Day
- 21 Summer Solstice
- 20-28 English Wine Week
July: Month of Revolutions
- 29 June-12 July Tennis Wimbledon
- 7 World Chocolate Day
- 19 National Ice Cream Day
- 23 to August 2 Commonwealth Games Glasgow
August: Staycations Month
- 1-31 What is your local event?
- 31 August Bank Holiday
September: Organic Month
- 1-5 Zero Waste Week
- 25 World’s Biggest Coffee Morning (MacMillan)
October: American Pizza Month
- 1 World Vegetarian Day
- 8 Diwali Festival of Lights
- 20 International Chefs Day
- 25 Daylight Saving Time ends
- 31 Halloween
November: Vegan Month
- 1 World Vegan Day
- 5 Bonfire Night
- 9 British Pudding Day
- 27 Black Friday
December: Seasonal Affective Disorder Awareness Month
- 1 Advent begins!
- 5 Small Business Saturday
- 25 Christmas again!
At AC Services Southern, we wish you a prosperous and enjoyable 2026.
Category: Blog, Catering Business, Events, News
Tags: Catering business, Events