TikTok officially described the recurring “August” trend in 2021.
TikTok’s newsroom published its article “Trending on TikTok: August slipped away” on September 10, 2021. It explained that creators were using Taylor Swift’s 2020 song while revisiting favorite August and summer memories.
The format commonly used quick montages of photographs or video clips from a camera roll. Rather than functioning as one fixed dance, the trend centered on nostalgia, seasonal transitions, and romanticized memories. Taylor Swift also participated in the trend, helping connect the online ritual with the song’s creator.
The song itself predates the trend by one year, since “august” was released with Folklore in July 2020. That distinction matters: 2020 was the release year, while 2021 is the year TikTok’s newsroom documented the recurring trend. The annual activity continues to draw attention because the song’s title and lyrics naturally fit the month.