May Holidays and Observances to Celebrate Year After Year
Updated: Apr. 12, 2024
These are all the May holidays, from Mother's Day and Teacher Appreciation Week to Star Wars Day and International Harry Potter Day
May isn’t just about blooming flowers and warmer weather—it’s a month packed with spring celebrations and appreciation. While many know about Mother’s Day, there’s a whole tapestry of May holidays and observances, from honoring educators during Teacher Appreciation Week to delving into the magical world of Harry Potter on International Harry Potter Day (on May 2, to be exact). And let’s not forget that the Force is strong with Star Wars fans on May 4, as they gear up to fight against the dark side (and enjoy a few punny Star Wars jokes too!).Â
So check out the many May holidays below—including some surprising monthly, weekly and daily observances—to make the month of May truly unforgettable!
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What are the popular May holidays?
Mother’s Day—which hits the calendar on Sunday, May 12, this year—isn’t the only standout event in May. From Teacher Appreciation Week and the epic clash of lightsabers on Star Wars Day to the enchanting journey through the wizarding world on International Harry Potter Day, there’s something for everyone. Plus, May isn’t just about pop culture; it’s also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month and Jewish American Heritage Month.Â
Monthly May observances
- ALS Awareness Month
- American Cheese Month
- American Wetlands Month
- Arthritis Awareness Month
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Better Sleep Month
- Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
- Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
- Brain Cancer Awareness Month
- Building Safety Month
- Celiac Awareness Month
- Chip Your Pet Month
- Clean Air Month
- Family Wellness Month
- Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
- Gardening for Wildlife Month
- Homeschool Awareness Month
- International Drum Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Latino Books Month
- Lettuce Month
- Lupus Awareness Month
- Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
- National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
- National Asparagus Month
- National Barbecue Month
- National Bicycle Safety Month
- National Blood Pressure Month
- National Cancer Research Month
- National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
- National Foster Care Month
- National Hamburger Month
- National Inventors Month
- National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
- National Meditation Month
- National Pet Month
- National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
- National Salad Month
- National Salsa Month
- National Strawberry Month
- National Tennis Month
- National Walking Month
- National Wildfire Awareness Month
- Pet Sitter Safety Month
- Skin Cancer Awareness Month
- Small Business Month
- Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month (May 15–June 15)
Weekly May holidays
- American Craft Beer Week (May 13–19)
- Be Kind to Animals Week (May 5–11)
- Bike to Work Week (May 13–19)
- Children’s Book Week (May 6–12)
- Hurricane Preparedness Week (May 5–11)
- National EMS Week (May 19–25)
- National Nurses Week (May 6–12)
- National Pet Week (May 5–11)
- National Public Works Week (May 19–25)
- National Small Business Week (April 28–May 4)
- National Stuttering Awareness Week (May 13–19)
- National Travel and Tourism Week (May 19–25)
- National Vegetarian Week (May 15–21)
- National Wildflower Week (May 5–11)
- Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6–10)
- Women in Construction Week (May 5–11)
Daily May holidays and observances in 2024
May 1
- Law Day
- Learn to Ride a Bike Day
- Lei Day
- May Day
- National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
- National Chocolate Parfait Day
- National Interpreter Appreciation Day
- National Loyalty Day
- National Mother Goose Day
- National Skilled Trades Day
- School Principals’ Day
- World Lyme Day
May 2
- International Harry Potter Day
- National Brothers and Sisters Day
- National Life Insurance Day
- National Play Your Ukulele Day
- National Truffle Day
- World Password Day
- World Tuna Day
May 3
- International Wild Koala Day
- National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
- National Chocolate Custard Day
- National Garden Meditation Day
- National Paranormal Day
- National Public Radio Day
- National Raspberry Popover Day
- National Space Day
- National Textiles Day
- National Two Different Colored Shoes Day
May 4
- Bird Day
- International Firefighters Day
- Kentucky Derby
- National Fitness Day
- National Orange Juice Day
- National Pilates Day
- National Play Outside Day
- National Renewal Day
- National Scrapbook Day
- National Weather Observers Day
- National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day
- Star Wars Day
May 5
- Cinco de Mayo
- Museum Lover’s Day
- National Astronaut Day
- National Cartoonists Day
- National Hoagie Day
- National Lemonade Day
- Sleep Apnea Awareness Day
- World Laughter Day
May 6
- Melanoma Monday
- Great Lakes Awareness Day
- National Herb Day
- National Meeting Planners Appreciation Day
- National Nurses Day
- National Scrapbooking Day
May 7
- National Asthma Day
- National Barrier Awareness Day
- National Foster Care Day
- National Teacher Appreciation Day
- National Tourism Day
May 8
- National Coconut Cream Pie Day
- National Give Someone a Cupcake Day
- National Have a Coke Day
- National Receptionists Day
- National Student Nurse Day
- Truman Day
- World Ovarian Cancer Day
- World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
May 9
- Ascension Day
- Make a Book Day
- National Alphabet Magnet Day
- National Butterscotch Brownie Day
- National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
- National Lost Sock Memorial Day
- National Sleepover Day
May 10
- Child Care Provider Day
- National Clean Your Room Day
- National Golf Day
- National School Nurse Day
- National Shrimp Day
- National Small Business Day
- Public Gardens Day
- World Lupus Day
May 11
- Brunch for Lunch Day
- National Archery Day
- National Babysitter’s Day
- National Dog Mom’s Day
- National Foam Rolling Day
- National Miniature Golf Day
- National Train Day
- National Twilight Zone Day
- World Fair Trade Day
- World Migratory Bird Day
May 12
- International Nurses Day
- Mother’s Day
- Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) International Awareness Day
- National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
- National Hospital Day
- National Limerick Day
- National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day
- National Nutty Fudge Day
- World Topiary Day
May 13
- International Hummus Day
- National Apple Pie Day
- National Frog Jumping Day
- National Fruit Cocktail Day
May 14
- Bond With Your Dog Day
- International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
- National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
- National Dance Like a Chicken Day
- National Decency Day
May 15
- Bring Flowers to Someone Day
- International Day of Families
- National Chocolate Chip Day
- National Nylon Stocking Day
- Peace Officers Memorial Day
- Straw Hat Day
May 16
- National Barbecue Day
- National Biographer’s Day
- National Classic Movie Day
- National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day
- National Love a Tree Day
- National Mimosa Day
- National Notebook Day
- National Piercing Day
- National Sea Monkey Day
- Ride a Unicycle DayÂ
May 17
- International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
- Malcolm X Day
- NASCAR Day
- National Bike to School Day
- National Bike to Work Day
- National Cherry Cobbler Day
- National Endangered Species Day
- National Mushroom Hunting Day
- National Pizza Party Day
- National Walnut Day
- Virtual Assistants Day
- World Hypertension Day
May 18
- Armed Forces Day
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day
- National Cheese Soufflé Day
- National Learn to Swim Day
- National No Dirty Dishes Day
- National River Cleanup Day
- National Visit Your Relatives Day
- Plant a Lemon Tree Day
- Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day
May 19
- National Devil’s Food Cake Day
- Plant Something Day
- Stepmother’s Day
- World Baking Day
- World Family Doctor Day
- World Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Day
May 20
- National Be a Millionaire Day
- National Pick Strawberries Day
- National Rescue Dog Day
- National Streaming Day
- National Women in Aerospace Day
- World Bee Day
May 21
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day
- National Memo Day
- National Strawberries and Cream Day
- National Talk Like Yoda Day
- National Waitstaff Day
- Pesach Sheni (evening of May 21 to nightfall on May 22)
- World Meditation Day
May 22
- Buy a Musical Instrument Day
- Emergency Medical Services for Children Day
- Harvey Milk Day
- National Craft Distillery Day
- National Maritime Day
- National Solitaire Day
- National Vanilla Pudding Day
- Sherlock Holmes Day
May 23
- International Chardonnay Day
- National Lucky Penny Day
- National Taffy Day
- World Turtle DayÂ
May 24
- Brother’s Day
- National Asparagus Day
- National Cooler Day
- National Road Trip Day
- National Scavenger Hunt Day
- World Schizophrenia Awareness Day
May 25
- Geek Pride Day
- National Missing Children’s Day
- National Italian Beef Day
- National Tap Dance Day
- National Wine Day
- Towel Day
- World Thyroid DayÂ
May 26
- National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
- National Family Fun Day
- National Paper Airplane Day
May 27
- Memorial Day
- National Cellophane Tape Day
- National Grape Day
- National Grape Popsicle Day
- National Sunscreen Day
May 28
- Amnesty International Day
- National Brisket Day
- National Hamburger Day
- Whooping Crane Day
- World Blood Cancer Day
- World Hunger Day
May 29
- Mount Everest Day
- National Alligator Day
- National Flip Flop Day
- National Paperclip Day
- National Senior Health and Fitness Day
- National Snail Day
- World Otter Day
May 30
- International Hug Your Cat Day
- National Creativity Day
- National Mint Julep Day
- National Water a Flower Day
- World Multiple Sclerosis Day
May 31
- National Heat Awareness Day
- National Macaroon Day
- National Save Your Hearing Day
- National Smile Day
- World Parrot DayÂ
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