Smart collections

One method I have used was easy, but depended on two circumstances: 1) you have all the photos' source files organised in a strict YYYY/MM/DD folder structure; and 2) you have installed a plugin giving you the right selectable terms for smart collections to use.

I bought the "TextMeta" plugin, developed some years ago by the late Rob Cole. Along with some other matters, I don't recall what, this plugin extends the Catalog with (folder) Parent, GrandParent and GreatGrandParent terms. 

Given 1) and 2), to isolate all Star Wars Day (!) photos in the Catalog, a smart collection would be able to select on "Folder starts with 04" AND "Parent folder starts with 05".

I don't know if any other plugins offer the same sort of additional search terms.

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You can't make a smart collection, but you can use the Library Filter bar's Metadata browser with the Month and Date columns:

You can save those settings by clicking Custom Filter and doing Save Current Settings As New Preset, giving you one-click access just like with a smart collection.

I've tried a few, but can't nail a way that's working. 

You can create a Library Filter though with Month in the first Column and Date in the second to get it. This could be saved as a custom filter from the dropdown on the right.