May Holidays to Celebrate Every Day of the Month
April showers bring May flowers, as they say. What else is the month of May known for? Cinco de May (May 5), Mother’s Day (May 12), and the federal holiday Memorial Day (May 27) are May holidays you probably already know. But do did you know about National Cherry Cobbler Day (May 17) or Lucky Penny Day (May 23)?
Truly, there are so many special days and observances to celebrate every single day in May and all month long, which is why we call out some of our favorite week- and monthlong observances too. For instance, did you know May is National Strawberry Month? (Follow-up question: Do we need a reason to enjoy strawberry recipes for days?)
May is for everyday heroes, with days to honor hardworking school lunch heroes, nurses, teachers, receptionists, and waitstaff. Every dog has its day too! Add International Doodle Day, Mayday for Mutts, National Rescue Dog Day, and National Pet Week to your calendar.
After all, celebrating every day is something we relish here at Country Living, so you’ll find plenty of links throughout to help you make the most of these fun May holidays in 2024.
May Daily Holidays and Observances
May 1
May Day
Mother Goose Day
International Doodle Day: Get a guide to doodle dogs.
Learn to Ride a Bike Day
Sunflower Guerilla Gardening Day
May 2
International Harry Potter Day
National Brothers and Sisters Day
National Play Your Ukulele Day
National Day of Prayer (1st Thursday)
World Password Day (1st Thursday): Change those old passwords!
National Day of Reason (1st Thursday)
May 3
National Two Different Colored Shoes Day: Let your uniqueness shine!
Paranormal Day: Ghost stories, anyone?
National Chocolate Custard Day
School Lunch Hero Day (1st Friday)
National Space Day (1st Friday)
National No Pants Day (1st Friday)
May 4
Star Wars Day: May the 4th be with you.
National Scrapbook Day (1st Saturday)
National Fitness Day (1st Saturday)
Free Comic Book Day (1st Saturday)
Wildfire Preparedness Day (1st Saturday)
Kentucky Derby (1st Saturday)
May 5
Cinco de Mayo: Start the day with Migas with Chorizo.
National Astronaut Day
National Hoagie Day
Museum Lover's Day
Hug a Shed and Take a Selfie Day
Mayday for Mutts (1st Sunday)
International Permaculture Day (1st Sunday)
May 6
International No Diet Day
National Tourist Appreciation Day
National Nurses Day
May 7
National Teacher Day (1st Tuesday of the 1st full week)
National Roast Leg of Lamb Day
May 8
Coconut Cream Pie Day
Have a Coke Day
Receptionists Day (2nd Wednesday)
May 9
National Moscato Day
Lost Sock Memorial Day
May 10
National Clean Your Room Day
National Shrimp Day
May 11
National Twilight Zone Day
Eat What You Want Day
World Fair Trade Day (2nd Saturday)
May 12
Mother's Day (2nd Sunday)
National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
Nutty Fudge Day
May 13
National Women's Checkup Day (2nd Monday)
International Hummus Day
Crouton Day
Fruit Cocktail Day
National Apple Pie Day
May 14
National Underground America Day
Buttermilk Biscuit Day: Try our recipe for Buttermilk Biscuits.
Dance Like a Chicken Day
May 15
International Family Day
National Chocolate Chip Day: Get the recipe for Classic Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Peace Officers Memorial Day
May 16
National Mimosa Day
Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day
Drawing Day
National Barbecue Day
May 17
National Cherry Cobbler Day
Walnut Day
National Endangered Species Day (3rd Friday)
Bike to Work Day (3rd Friday)
Pizza Party Day (3rd Friday)
May 18
National Visit Relatives Day
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
International Astronomy Day
World Whiskey Day (3rd Saturday): 5 Best Whiskeys to Keep in Your Cabinet
National Armed Forces Day (3rd Saturday)
May 19
National Devil's Food Cake Day: Here's our favorite way to dress up a boxed devil's food cake mix.
Barber Mental Health Awareness Day
May 20
National Rescue Dog Day
May 21
National American Red Cross Founder's Day
Talk Like Yoda Day
National Waitstaff Day
May 22
World Paloma Day: Get the 3-ingredient recipe for a Paloma Cocktail.
National Maritime Day
International Day of Biological Diversity
Harvey Milk Day
May 23
National Taffy Day
World Turtle Day
Lucky Penny Day
May 24
National Brother's Day
National Road Trip Day (Friday before Memorial Day)
May 25
May Revolution Day (Argentina)
National Wine Day
May 26
National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
Paper Airplane Day
May 27
Sunscreen Day: Read up on the 11 best sunscreens for kids.
Memorial Day (last Monday)
May 28
National Brisket Day
Hamburger Day
May 29
National Paperclip Day
May 30
National Mint Julep Day: Learn how to make a classic Mint Julep cocktail.
National Creativity Day
May 31
National Macaroon Day
National Smile Day
National Heat Awareness Day (last Friday): Share these 14 tips on how to stay cool in the heat.
May has two zodiac signs—Taurus ♉️ and Gemini ♊️. If you were born between April 20 amd May 20, you're a Taurus and can tend to be stubborn yet reliable, responsible, and practical. If you were born between May 21 and June 20, you're a Gemini and are known to be flexible, clever, extroverted, and sometimes impulsive.
May Weekly Holidays and Observances
National Nurses Week (May 6-12, every year)
National Pet Week (May 5-11)
Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10)
Brain Injury Awareness Week (May 11-17)
National Women's Health Week (May 12-18)
National EMS Week (May 19-25)
National Safe Sun Week (May 20-26)
May Monthly Holidays and Observances
Mental Health Awareness Month
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
ALS Awareness Month
National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
National Inventors Month
National Strawberry Month: Celebrate with a Double-Strawberry Pie!
National Pet Month
National Salad Month
National Salsa Month
National Barbecue Month
National Blood Pressure Month
Military Appreciation Month
Creative Beginnings Month
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