It’s a social media marketer’s dream every year: award shows, highly anticipated TV releases, sports events, and more are brimming with opportunities to create viral content. Pop culture drives trends, memes, and the digital conversations that shape social media every day. For social media marketers, staying on top of these moments is key to riding the wave of relevancy and engagement. Let’s dive into the must-watch 2025 pop culture events and moments that should be on every social media marketer’s radar.
1. Major Award Shows: The GRAMMYs, Oscars, and More
Award season is a content powerhouse for social media marketers, with fans and celebrities alike flooding the digital space with hot takes, memes, and celebratory content. In 2025, key award shows will offer endless opportunities to align your brand with fan excitement and important cultural moments.
GRAMMYs (February 2, 2025)
Oscars (March 2, 2025)
Tony Awards - (June 8, 2025)
Emmys (September 2025)
Why It’s Important:
These events generate high engagement with audiences discussing their favorite nominees, performances, and red carpet moments.
Brands can create content around trending artists, films, and performances, jumping into viral conversations.
How to Leverage It:
This depends on what space your brand exists in. Are you a fashion brand? Perfect–share “Who Wore It Best?” polls, commentary reels, and more. Are you in the film or music space? Share real-time updates on winners and nominations.
Even if your brand doesn’t directly relate to award season, there’s still bound to be memes that you can put your own spin on to relate to your specific audience. Keep your eyes peeled.
2. Major Book, Movie, & TV Releases: The Blockbusters & Binge-Worthy Shows
2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for movie lovers and binge-watchers alike. From action-packed sequels to highly anticipated superhero films, there’s a lineup of blockbuster releases that will stir up online conversations.
Books to Look Out For in 2025:
Sunrise on the Reaping (March 18, 2025) – Fans of The Hunger Games franchise are going to be in full-force on social media with countdowns and discussions around this newest book in the series. (And if you want to plan superrr ahead, the movie adaptation is set to be released in November 2026.)
Movies to Look Out For in 2025:
Captain America: Brave New World (February 14, 2025) - Another addition to the Marvel universe that’s sure to have fans flocking to social media for discussion.
28 Years Later (June 20, 2025) - A sequel to one of the zombie genre’s most iconic franchises that already has fans sharing opinions and reactions on social media.
TV Shows to Look Out for in 2025:
Stranger Things Season 5 – A pop culture juggernaut that will continue to fuel conversations around the series’ final season.
The Witcher Season 4 – Fantasy lovers will flood social media with memes and theories as the show evolves.
Why It’s Important:
Movie and TV buzz leads to active conversations on social platforms, from trailer releases to casting announcements.
Fans will create memes, reaction videos, and long threads analyzing plot points and character arcs.
How to Leverage It:
Create memes or discussion threads based on trailers or pivotal scenes.
Encourage user-generated content by asking followers to predict plot twists or share their favorite character moments.
3. Pop Culture Events: Met Gala, Comic-Con, and More
Pop culture events and music festivals offer perfect opportunities for social media marketers to showcase their brands in creative, timely ways.
Key 2025 Pop Culture Events:
Coachella (April 2025)
Met Gala (May 5, 2025)
San Diego Comic-Con (July 2025)
Why It’s Important:
These events bring together top influencers, designers, and celebrities, providing a stage for exciting, visual content.
Fans and creators alike flood social platforms with their takes on outfits, performances, and announcements.
How to Leverage It:
Engage in visual-driven content, such as outfit inspiration or meme-worthy commentary around celebrity styles or Comic-Con reveals.
Run exclusive social media campaigns, polls, or giveaways during these high-traffic events.
4. International Awareness Days and Months
Social media marketers know that the key to timely content isn’t just big events—it’s tapping into cultural and social awareness days that spark conversations.
Must-Know Days for 2025:
International Women’s Day (March 8, 2025): A great moment for brands to show their commitment to women’s empowerment.
Earth Day (April 22, 2025): Brands focused on sustainability can take part in global conversations.
Mental Health Awareness Month (May 2025): Focus on content that emphasizes well-being, self-care, and support.
Pride Month (June 2025): LGBTQIA+ visibility continues to be a major expectation for brands.
Why It’s Important:
These observances allow brands to connect with their audiences on a deeper level, aligning with important causes.
They also help amplify awareness, boost engagement, and show your brand’s values.
How to Leverage It:
Create content that shows how your brand aligns with these movements. Use hashtags to join the larger conversation and make your content discoverable.
Partner with influencers or brands that represent these causes authentically.
5. Major Sports Events: Super Bowl, Basketball, and More
If your brand has any ties to sports or a broader global audience, major sporting events are unmissable moments for social media engagement.
Sports events create a sense of community and excitement—perfect for joining larger conversations.
Engaging with sports culture can boost brand visibility during events with global audiences.
How to Leverage It:
Create branded content or campaigns around sporting events, like creating shareable graphics about teams or athletes.
Use sports-related memes to join in on trending moments, or run polls to encourage fan engagement.
Plan Ahead for 2025 Pop Culture, But Stay Flexible
2025 is packed with exciting opportunities for social media marketers to leverage pop culture moments and elevate their brands. By adding these major events, holidays, and trends to your content calendar, you can stay relevant, boost engagement, and connect authentically with your audience.
However, the key to success lies in staying agile. Pop culture is unpredictable, and new trends can emerge at any moment. Make sure your content calendar has room for flexibility, so you can quickly jump on whatever comes next—whether it’s a surprise meme or a viral award show moment.As 2025 unfolds, the possibilities for social media engagement are endless. Ready to capitalize on the trends? Let’s chat about how you can build a killer strategy that puts your brand in the spotlight all year long.
