April showers bring May flowers, as they say, so bring on the blooms! While May might not quite be the official start of summer (that's one of June's important dates), it sure feels like it. Schools let out for summer vacation, high school and college grads receive their diplomas, and mother figures get their day in the sun. May is a fun-filled month full of big events. Plan ahead by checking out our list of May 2023 holidays and observances, and be sure to mark the official holidays and unofficial national days of celebration on your calendar.
May Day rings in the month on May 1 with baskets of goodies and spring cheer. Cinco de Mayo, as the name implies, falls on the fifth of May, so start scoping out traditional Mexican recipes for the perfect food-fueled fiesta. Let’s not forget about Mother’s Day on May 14th. Honor all the motherly figures in your life — from new mothers to stepmothers — with gifts they’ll love. Of course, we had to include quirky holidays as well, such as National Burger Day (May 28) and National Mint Julep Day (May 30). They are backyard BBQ staples after all, and May is the month to dust off your grill and cook up some of the best grilling recipes.
Take special note of May’s health-related holidays, and place your well-being at the forefront. Book an appointment with a dermatologist for Melanoma Monday on May 1. Move your body with a fun workout on National Fitness Day on May 6, and be sure to check your blood pressure on World Hypertension Day on May 17.
The monthly observances in May include Arthritis Awareness Month, Better Sleep Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, National Walking Month, and Women’s Health Care Month. Self-care is always in style! May is also Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Military Appreciation Month.
Keep reading for a full list of daily holidays and observances in May 2023:
May 1
- Global Love Day
- Law Day
- Lei Day
- May Day
- Melanoma Monday
- National Chocolate Parfait Day
- National College Decision Day
- National Loyalty Day
- National Mother Goose Day
- School Principals' Day
- World Lyme Day
May 2
- International Harry Potter Day
- National Brothers and Sisters Day
- National Foster Care Day
- National Teacher Appreciation Day
- National Truffle Day
- World Asthma Day
- World Tuna Day
May 3
- AAPI Women's Equal Pay Day
- National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
- National Paranormal Day
- National Skilled Trades Day
- World Press Freedom Day
May 4
- International Firefighters Day
- Kent State Shootings Remembrance
- National Day of Prayer
- National Orange Juice Day
- National Self-Employed Day
- Pesach Sheni
- Star Wars Day
May 5
- African World Heritage Day
- Cinco de Mayo
- International Day of the Midwife
- National Astronaut Day
- National Hoagie Day
- National No Pants Day
- Vesak
May 6
- Free Comic Book Day
- International No Diet Day
- Join Hands Day
- Kentucky Derby
- National Beverage Day
- National Explosive Ordnance Disposal Day
- National Fitness Day
- National Nurses Day
- National Scrapbook Day
- National Tourist Appreciation Day
May 7
- National Cosmopolitan Day
- National Infertility Survival Day
- National Lemonade Day
- National Tourism Day
- World Laughter Day
May 8
- International Thalassaemia Day
- Lag BaOmer Begins
- National Coconut Cream Pie Day
- National Have a Coke Day
- National Student Nurse Day
- National Women's Checkup Day
- Truman Day
- World Ovarian Cancer Day
- World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
- Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War (Through May 9)
May 9
- National Lost Sock Memorial Day
- National Moscato Day
- National Sleepover Day
May 10
- National Clean Up Your Room Day
- National Lipid Day
- National Receptionists' Day
- National Shrimp Day
- World Lupus Day
May 11
- National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day
- National Eat What You Want Day
- National Foam Rolling Day
- National Twilight Zone Day
May 12
- International Nurses Day
- National Fibromyalgia Awareness Day
- National Limerick Day
- National Military Spouse Appreciation Day
- National Nutty Fudge Day
- National Odometer Day
- National Provider Appreciation Day
May 13
- International Hummus Day
- National Apple Pie Day
- National Babysitter's Day
- National Birth Mother’s Day
- National Crouton Day
- National Frog Jumping Day
- National Fruit Cocktail Day
- National Miniature Golf Day
- World Fair Trade Day
- World Migratory Bird Day
May 14
- Mother's Day
- National Buttermilk Biscuit Day
- National Dance Like a Chicken Day
- National Decency Day
May 15
- Bring Flowers to Someone Day
- International Family Day
- National Chocolate Chip Day
- National Nylon Stocking Day
- Peace Officers Memorial Day
May 16
- Drawing Day
- Honor Our LGBT Elders Day
- International Day of Light
- International Day of Living Together in Peace
- National Barbecue Day
- National Biographer's Day
- National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day
- National Love a Tree Day
- National Mimosa Day
- National Piercing Day
- National Sea Monkey Day
May 17
- National Cherry Cobbler Day
- National Graduation Tassel Day
- National Juice Slush Day
- National Pack Rat Day
- National Walnut Day
- World Hypertension Day
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
May 18
- Ascension Day
- International Museum Day
- National Cheese Soufflé Day
- National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day
- National No Dirty Dishes Day
- National Visit Your Relatives Day
May 19
- Malcolm X Day
- NASCAR Day
- National Bike to Work Day
- National Defense Transportation Day
- National Devil's Food Cake Day
- National Endangered Species Day
- National Pizza Party Day
May 20
- International Red Sneakers Day
- National Armed Forces Day
- National Be a Millionaire Day
- National Learn to Swim Day
- National Pick Strawberries Day
- National Rescue Dog Day
- National Streaming Day
- World Bee Day
- Preakness Stakes
- World Whisky Day
May 21
- Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day
- International Tea Day
- National American Red Cross Founder’s Day
- National Memo Day
- National Strawberries and Cream Day
- National Talk Like Yoda Day
- National Waitstaff Day
- Take Your Parents to the Playground Day
- World Baking Day
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
- World Meditation Day
May 22
- Harvey Milk Day
- International Being You Day
- International Day for Biological Diversity
- National Buy a Musical Instrument Day
- National Craft Distillery Day
- National Maritime Day
- National Solitaire Day
- National Vanilla Pudding Day
- Sherlock Holmes Day
- Victoria Day (Canada)
- World Paloma Day
May 23
- National Lucky Penny Day
- National Taffy Day
- World Turtle Day
May 24
- National Asparagus Day
- National Brother's Day
- National Escargot Day
- National Scavenger Hunt Day
- World Schizophrenia Awareness Day
May 25
- National Bath Bomb Day
- National Brown-Bag It Day
- National Missing Children's Day
- National Sing Out Day
- National Tap Dance Day
- National Wine Day
- Shavuot Begins
- World Thyroid Day
May 26
- Buddha Day
- National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
- National Cooler Day
- National Heat Awareness Day
- National Paper Airplane Day
- National Road Trip Day
- National Sorry Day
- World Lindy Hop Day
May 27
- National Grape Popsicle Day
- National Sunscreen Day
- Nothing to Fear Day
May 28
- Indianapolis 500
- National Brisket Day
- National Burger Day
- Pentecost
- World Blood Cancer Day
May 29
- Decoration Day
- International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
- Learn About Composting Day
- Memorial Day
- Mount Everest Day
- National Alligator Day
- National Coq Au Vin Day
- National Paperclip Day
May 30
- International Hug Your Cat Day
- Loomis Day
- National Creativity Day
- National Mint Julep Day
- National Water a Flower Day
- World Multiple Sclerosis Day
May 31
- National Flip Flop Day
- National Macaroon Day
- National Save Your Hearing Day
- National Senior Health and Fitness Day
- National Smile Day
- Scripps National Spelling Bee Begins
- Web Designer Day
- World No Tobacco Day
- World Otter Day
- World Parrot Day
Corinne Sullivan is an Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers a variety of beats, including lifestyle, entertainment, relationships, shopping, and more. She can tell you everything you need to know about the love lives of A-listers, the coziest bedsheets, and the sex toys actually worth your $$$. She is also the author of the 2018 novel Indecent. Follow her on Instagram for cute pics of her pup and bébé.
Kate Franke (she/her) is the editorial assistant at Woman’s Day. She loves all things lifestyle, home, and market related. Kate has a BAJMC in Magazine Media and BA in Writing from Drake University. She is a proud ASME alum whose work has appeared in Food Network Magazine, The Pioneer Woman Magazine, Better Homes & Gardens, Modern Farmhouse Style, Beautiful Kitchens & Baths, and more. Next to writing, Kate’s two favorite things are chai lattes and pumpkin bread!