International Coffee Day: 10 Top Ideas for Promoting Your Café, Roastery or Coffee Shop
published
September 19, 2025
Coffee isn’t just coffee anymore—it’s a culture in itself. Cafes worldwide offer cozy seating and modern workspaces, boasting full menus of lattes, cappuccinos, frappes, and more. As of last year, over 77,500 coffee shops were operating in the United States alone. Coffee lovers face countless choices, and since they do, you want them to choose your cafe every time.
One of the best ways to make your cafe stand out among the crowd is to celebrate International Coffee Day! We’ll spill the beans about the leading Coffee Day ideas, from hosting VIP specialty brew tastings to the best giveaways you’ll need to perk up your guests.
What is International Coffee Day?
International Coffee Day is a global celebration for coffee connoisseurs to enjoy their go-to beverage. It’s also a day devoted to raising awareness about fair trade, sustainability practices, and other vital issues affecting the coffee industry.
When is International Coffee Day 2026?
International Coffee Day will take place on October 1, 2026. It always takes place on the first day of October.
10 Top Ideas for Promoting Your Cafe for International Coffee Day
1. Host an Exclusive Specialty Brew Tasting Event
Host an exclusive specialty brew tasting to kick off your International Coffee Day promotional events. We recommend recruiting your best baristas to plan a full tasting menu. From blonde and dark roasts to Ethiopian or European blends and espresso varieties, patrons will enjoy expanding their coffee horizons by learning about all the variations and tasting notes.
To make your specialty brew tasting event customers will be buzzing about, you’ll want to:
- Hang personalized promotional balloons outside your doors to attract participants.
- Create special custom coffee mugs for the event.
- Set out plenty of branded napkins for guests.
- Remember the personalized beverage stirrers for participants who prefer cream and sugar.
- Keep plenty of On-the-Go Stain Sticks on hand in case of a spill.
- Give each participant a souvenir, such as an electric handheld frother/mixer, to remember the event.
2. Set up a Pop-up Coffee Spa
Coffee grounds aren’t only meant for brewing. Did you know they’re also an effective exfoliant and radiance booster? Set up a pop-up coffee spa in the corner of your cafe to relax guests and promote wellness.
Not sure what you’ll need to set up a pop-up coffee spa? Here’s a must-have list to kick it off:
- Branded banners in the coffee spa area to catch your guests’ attention.
- Promotional table cloths with your logo to protect your tables and make the spa more inviting.
- Make your coffee spa area relaxing with personalized candles and a customized sound machine.
- Custom Towels for easy clean up.
- Branded Hairbands are a must, so guests don’t get coffee grounds or other products in their hair.
- Offer guests customized mirrors so they can view their transformation.
3. Schedule a Daily Behind-the-Bar Barista Demonstration
One of the best International Coffee Day ideas you can implement is to plan ahead of the big day. Consider holding a daily barista demonstration, where staff can make unique coffee drinks and cover the dos and don’ts of proper coffee brewing. Guests can enjoy samples of each drink in a branded 8-oz Go Size Mini Tumbler they can take home.
4. Perk up Guests with Branded Coffee Day Mugs
There’s no better Coffee Day idea than to offer branded coffee mugs on the event day. Choosing the right coffee cup for your guests may seem daunting with so many styles and designs. But it doesn’t have to be.
Here are the most in-demand coffee mugs your customers will love:
5. Establish a Cafe Loyalty Program
Consider setting up a cafe loyalty program in the spirit of International Coffee Day. For every set number of coffee drinks your customers order, they could earn points toward one of the following rewards:
- Free coffee vouchers
- A discount off their next purchase
- Free pastry or treat of their choice
- A handy and sustainable logo engraved bamboo coffee scoop and bag clip
- A branded reusable coffee mug to use during future visits
- An eco-friendly tumbler made from coffee grounds and recycled ocean bound plastic
- A customized pack of coffee beans to try at home
- A personalized premium coffee grinder
6. Celebrate with a Coffee-Themed Raffle
Create a buzz around International Coffee Day in your local area by raffling off a few in-demand coffee-themed prizes, sure to bring customers into your cafe. Chocolate & Coffee Crate or 8-oz Ceramic Mug with Bamboo Mug Warmer will boost raffle ticket sales. Or, up the ante with an engraved 6 Cup GROSCHE® International Inc. Milano Espresso Maker or a full-color logo printed Groundsound Recycled Coffee Grounds Wireless Speaker.
No matter which raffle prizes you choose, opt for high-quality, customized coffee-themed must-haves, sure to earn their loyalty.
7. Brew up Unique Coffee Drinks and Treat Specials
We’ve all been to Cafe X or Coffee Shop Y, where unique coffee drinks are on the menu. Every spot has a signature drink (or menu), from rainbow-colored frappes to artisanal cold-foam toppers. But what makes them even better is when they come in personalized drinkware in honor of the day.
To celebrate International Coffee Day, consider experimenting with new, limited-time coffee drinks and treats, printed on customized menus.
8. Recruit High-Energy Influencers for Your Coffee Day Events
Spreading the word about International Coffee Day doesn’t need to be a solo effort. Promote your cafe with the help of high-energy influencers who can create a buzz about your Coffee Day festivities.
When you reach out, be sure to offer several branded freebies, they can give away to their followers, incentivising them to visit your cafe. You could offer the following coffee shop or roastery swag items:
9. Create Customized Coffee Day Apparel for Staff
Promote your International Coffee Day festivities with limited-time, high-quality branded apparel for your baristas and other staff members. Design a variety of branded hats, customized shirts, and more, like the following:
Branded Quarter Zips for the Fall weather
10. Give Away In-Demand International Coffee Day Freebies
Whether you want to keep your events low-key or next-level, customized freebies are one of the best International Coffee Day ideas you can implement this Fall.
Consider offering your customers these popular giveaways during the run-up to October 1st, and, of course, on the day:
Whether you want to keep the festivities low-key or take them over the top, these International Coffee Day ideas will serve up a memorable occasion for your customers.
Choose from Crestline’s wide range of custom Coffee Day products to make your celebration one they’ll always remember. Contact us today and let our team brew your vision into a buzz-worthy reality.
