If April was all about springtime rebirth with holidays including Easter, Passover, and Earth Day, May is when we move full force into sunny celebrations — with Memorial Day, the unofficial start to summer! — waiting for us with pool parties and barbecues (not to mention a day off!) toward the end of the month.
Of course, Mother's Day also falls in May (so don't forget mom!) And the month is filled with other lesser known holidays including Star Wars Day, World Nurses Day, Rescue Dog Day, National Smile Day — and so many more observances from somber to quirky. Read on for a complete list of 2025's May holidays and observances.
May Holidays and Observances
May 1
- May Day (International Workers Day)
- Law Day
- Loyalty Day
- School Principals’ Day
- Global Love Day
- World Password Day
- National Chocolate Parfait Day
May 2
- National Brothers and Sisters Day
- National No-Pants Day
- National Space Day
- National Truffle Day
- International Harry Potter Day
- World Tuna Day
May 3
- Kentucky Derby
- National Two Different Colored Shoes Day
- National Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Day
- National Paranormal Day
- Join Hands Day
- World Press Freedom Day
- National Montana Day
May 4
- Star Wars Day ("May the Fourth Be With You")
- International Firefighters’ Day
- National Lemonade Day
- World Laughter Day
- Rhode Island Independence Day
May 5
- Cinco de Mayo
- African World Heritage Day
- International Day of the Midwife
- World Portuguese Language Day
May 6
- National Nurses Day
- National Teacher Appreciation Day
- International No Diet Day
- National Foster Care Day
May 8
- Victory in Europe (V-E) Day
- Truman Day (Missouri state holiday)
- World Red Cross Day
May 9
- Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 10
- National Clean Up Your Room Day
- Fair Trade Day
- National Golf Day
- National Shrimp Day
- World Lupus Day
May 11
- Mother’s Day
- National Eat What You Want Day
May 12
- National Limerick Day
May 13
- World Cocktail Day
- National Apple Pie Day
May 14
- National Receptionists Day
- National Dance Like a Chicken Day
May 15
- Peace Officers Memorial Day
- National Chocolate Chip Day
- International Day of Families
May 16
- National Bike to Work Day
- International Day of Light
- Endangered Species Day
- National Pizza Party Day
May 17
- Armed Forces Day
- Preakness Stakes
- National Learn to Swim Day
- World Hypertension Day
- World Whisky (Whiskey) Day
May 18
- National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
- World Baking Day
- National No Dirty Dishes Day
- International Museum Day
May 20
- National Rescue Dog Day
- World Bee Day
May 21
- National Waitstaff Day
- National Talk Like Yoda Day
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- International Tea Day
May 22
- National Maritime Day
- Harvey Milk Day
May 23
- World Turtle Day
May 24
- National Scavenger Hunt Day
- National Brothers Day
- World Schizophrenia Day
May 25
- National Wine Day
- Geek Pride Day
- National Missing Children’s Day
May 26
- Memorial Day
- National Paper Airplane Day
- World Redhead Day
May 27
- National Sunscreen Day
May 28
- National Burger Day
- Menstrual Hygiene Day
May 30
- National Creativity Day
- World Multiple Sclerosis Day
May 31
- National Macaroon Day
- National Smile Day
- World No Tobacco Day
Important Religious Holidays and Observances
- Beltane: May 1
- National Day of Prayer: May 1
- Buddha's Birthday: May 5
- Sita Navami: May 5
- Vesak (Buddha Day): May 12
- Lag BaOmer: May 15
- Ascension Day: May 29
Monthly Observances
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- National Military Appreciation Month
- ALS Awareness Month
- Arthritis Awareness Month
- Better Hearing and Speech Month
- Brain Tumor Awareness Month
- Celiac Awareness Month
- Lupus Awareness Month
- Skin Cancer Awareness Month
- National Cancer Research Month
- National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
- Better Sleep Month
- Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
- Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
- Healthy Vision Month
- American Stroke Awareness Month
- National Miniature Garden Month
Alesandra is a digital travel and lifestyle journalist based in Los Angeles whose work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman’s Day, Prevention, Insider, Glamour, Shondaland, AFAR, Parents, TODAY and countless other online and print outlets. Alesandra has a masters degree in journalism with an emphasis on cultural reporting and criticism from NYU, and a bachelor’s degree from UC Berkeley. An avid traveler, she trots the globe with her husband and their twins.
