- The third Friday in December is the busiest Christmas trading day at 38pc above average.
- The second Saturday in November ranks second at 34pc above average.
- The fourth Saturday in November ranks third at 31pc above average.
- Fridays averaged €15.20 per transaction and Saturdays €17.70.
- The festive trading period spans 12 weeks from November to January.
Research company Square International has released data ranking the top 12 busiest trading days for Irish food and drink businesses during the 2025 to 2026 festive period from 1 November to 31 January. The busiest day overall was the third Friday in December at 38pc above average followed by the second Saturday in November at 34pc and the fourth Saturday in November at 31pc. All 12 peak days fell on a Friday or Saturday with Fridays leading in transaction volume and Saturdays showing higher average spends.
Fridays averaged approximately €15.20 per transaction while Saturdays averaged €17.70. Saturday 22 November saw the sharpest year-on-year volume surge rising 26pc compared with the prior year. The top ranked days include Friday 19 December at 38pc volume spike with average spend of €17.28, Saturday 8 November at 34pc volume spike with average spend of €16.64 and Saturday 22 November at 31pc volume spike with average spend of €17.09.
The festive trading period stretches across a 12-week window from early November to late January. The remaining peak periods consist of alternating Fridays and Saturdays throughout late November and December alongside a post-holiday surge on the final Saturday of January. Hospitality operators can use these dates to optimise staff rotas, procurement and seasonal menus. The days were ranked:
- Third Friday in December (Fri 19 Dec): +38% vs an average day in that trading period (average transaction€17.28)
- Second Saturday in November (Sat 8 Nov): +34% (average transaction€16.64)
- Fourth Saturday in November (Sat 22 Nov): +31% (average transaction€17.09)
- Second Friday in December (Fri 12 Dec): +31% (average transaction€15.41)
- Second Saturday in December (Sat 13 Dec): +30% (average transaction€18.74)
- Third Friday in November (Fri 21 Nov): +28% (average transaction€13.71)
- Third Saturday in December (Sat 20 Dec): +28% (average transaction€19.83)
- Last Saturday in November (Sat 29 Nov): +28% (average transaction€17.83)
- Last Saturday in January (Sat 31 Jan): +27% (average transaction€16.81)
- First Saturday in November (Sat 1 Nov): +27% (average transaction€16.27)
- Fourth Friday in November (Fri 28 Nov): +25% (average transaction€14.50)
- First Saturday in December (Sat 6 Dec): +24% (average transaction€18.29)
John O’Beirne, CEO of Square International, shared: “The festive trading peak stretches well beyond the traditional December rush. As expected, Fridays and Saturdays in November and December make up the majority of the top 12 trading days, but the festive three-month period runs until the end of January, and to capitalise fully operators need to be prepared with drinks, ingredients and staff rotas to make the most of the festive quarter.”
