May Holidays, National Days & Observances
May is filled with flowers, family celebrations, cultural traditions, remembrance, outdoor fun and the unofficial beginning of summer. From Mother's Day and Memorial Day to Cinco de Mayo, World Bee Day, food holidays and wonderfully quirky national days, there are countless reasons to celebrate.
Holiday Helper note: Some observances are official holidays, while others are cultural, religious, awareness-based or unofficial fun days. Dates for movable observances can change from year to year.
Major May Holidays & Observances
May 1: May Day / International Workers' Day combines longstanding spring traditions with an international observance of workers and labor movements.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo commemorates the Mexican victory at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.
Second Sunday: Mother's Day is celebrated in the United States as a day to honor mothers and maternal figures.
May 20: World Bee Day is a United Nations observance highlighting the importance of bees and other pollinators.
Last Monday: Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday honoring members of the armed forces who died while serving the country.
May 31: World No Tobacco Day is a global public-health observance led by the World Health Organization.
May Observances That Move
Several of May's biggest celebrations are tied to a weekday or religious calendar rather than a permanent numbered date.
- Mother's Day: second Sunday in May in the United States.
- Memorial Day: last Monday in May in the United States.
- Armed Forces Day: third Saturday in May in the United States.
- National Day of Prayer: first Thursday in May in the United States.
- Ascension Day: moves according to the Christian liturgical calendar.
- Pentecost: moves according to the Christian liturgical calendar and may occur in May or June.
- Shavuot: changes each year according to the Hebrew calendar and may occur in May or June.
Looking ahead: In 2027, Mother's Day falls on May 9, Armed Forces Day on May 15, and Memorial Day on May 31.
31 Days of May Celebrations
Browse the daily list below for major holidays, international observances, food days, spring traditions, unusual celebrations and more.
May 1
May opens with May Day and International Workers' Day, two traditions with very different histories that share the first day of the month.
- May Day
- International Workers' Day
- Law Day (United States)
- National Loyalty Day
- National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 2
- World Tuna Day
- National Truffle Day
- National Life Insurance Day
May 3
- World Press Freedom Day
- National Paranormal Day
- National Chocolate Custard Day
May 4
May the Fourth has become a playful celebration of Star Wars fandom, while International Firefighters' Day honors firefighters and remembers those lost in service.
- Star Wars Day
- International Firefighters' Day
- National Bird Day
- National Candied Orange Peel Day
May 5
Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico's victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. In the United States it has also become a broad celebration of Mexican culture and heritage.
- Cinco de Mayo
- World Portuguese Language Day
- National Astronaut Day
- National Hoagie Day
May 6
National Nurses Day begins National Nurses Week in the United States, creating an opportunity to recognize nurses and their contributions to health care.
- International No Diet Day
- National Nurses Day
- National Beverage Day
- National Crepe Suzette Day
May 7
- National Tourism Day
- National Packaging Design Day
- National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8
- World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
- Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War
- National Coconut Cream Pie Day
May 9
- Europe Day
- National Lost Sock Memorial Day
- National Moscato Day
May 10
- World Lupus Day
- National Clean Up Your Room Day
- National Shrimp Day
May 11
- National Eat What You Want Day
- National Twilight Zone Day
May 12
- International Day of Plant Health
- National Limerick Day
- National Nutty Fudge Day
May 13
- World Cocktail Day
- National Apple Pie Day
- National Frog Jumping Day
May 14
- National Dance Like a Chicken Day
- National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
May 15
International Day of Families focuses attention on families and the social, economic and demographic issues that affect them around the world.
- International Day of Families
- National Chocolate Chip Day
- Peace Officers Memorial Day
May 16
- International Day of Light
- International Day of Living Together in Peace
- National Barbecue Day
- National Mimosa Day
May 17
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
- National Walnut Day
- National Cherry Cobbler Day
May 18
- International Museum Day
- National No Dirty Dishes Day
- National Cheese Soufflé Day
May 19
- World Fair Play Day
- National Devil's Food Cake Day
- National May Ray Day
May 20
World Bee Day celebrates the essential role bees and other pollinators play in ecosystems, agriculture and food production. Celebrate by planting pollinator-friendly flowers, learning about native bees, avoiding unnecessary pesticide use or simply spending a little time watching these remarkable creatures at work.
- World Bee Day
- World Metrology Day
- National Rescue Dog Day
- National Quiche Lorraine Day
May 21
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- International Tea Day
- National Strawberries and Cream Day
May 22
- International Day for Biological Diversity
- National Maritime Day
- National Vanilla Pudding Day
May 23
- International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
- World Turtle Day
- National Taffy Day
May 24
- International Day of the Markhor
- National Scavenger Hunt Day
- National Escargot Day
May 25
- Africa Day
- National Missing Children's Day
- National Wine Day
- National Brown-Bag-It Day
May 26
- National Paper Airplane Day
- National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
May 27
- National Grape Day
- National Cellophane Tape Day
May 28
- National Hamburger Day
- National Brisket Day
May 29
- International Day of UN Peacekeepers
- National Paperclip Day
- National Coq au Vin Day
May 30
- International Day of Potato
- National Creativity Day
- National Mint Julep Day
- National Water a Flower Day
May 31
May closes with World No Tobacco Day and a collection of lighter observances centered on smiles, hearing and sweet treats.
- World No Tobacco Day
- National Smile Day
- National Macaroon Day
- National Save Your Hearing Day
More Ways to Celebrate May
May is made for flowers, family gatherings, outdoor adventures and the first warm-weather celebrations of the season. Honor Mother's Day with a homemade card, a favorite meal, fresh flowers or time spent together. Memorial Day offers an opportunity for respectful remembrance and reflection on those who died while serving in the United States armed forces.
Nature lovers have plenty to celebrate throughout the month. World Bee Day is a wonderful reason to learn about pollinators or plant bee-friendly flowers, while World Turtle Day, International Day for Biological Diversity and National Bird Day invite a closer look at the animals and ecosystems around us. Gardening Day and Water a Flower Day provide perfect excuses to get your hands in the soil.
May is delicious too. Bake an apple pie, enjoy strawberries and cream, fire up the grill for National Barbecue Day, make hamburgers or brisket, or choose one of the month's many sweet treats. From meaningful traditions and family celebrations to flowers, food, animals and sunshine, May offers 31 days of reasons to make memories.
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