May 2026: holidays, special days and observances

Friday, May 1, 2026

May 1, 2026 is International Workers' Day.

• International Workers' Day Fun day

  Honouring workers and their labour all around the world.

Around the world

• Labour and Solidarity Day — 6 countries: Germany, France, Spain and 3 more
• Labour Day — 117 countries: Mexico, Brazil, Albania and 114 more
• Workers' Day — Lesotho, Mozambique, South Africa
• 10 more days around the world in the app →

Saturday, May 2, 2026

May 2, 2026 is World Tuna Day. And a fun one: Truffle Day.

• World Tuna Day Worldwide

  Protecting the tuna, the ocean's speed swimmer, from overfishing.

• Truffle Day Fun day

  Chocolate or mushroom, today belongs to the truffle!

Around the world

• Community of Madrid Day — Spain. Marking the Dos de Mayo uprising of 1808.
• Labour Day — Montenegro, Serbia, Slovenia

Sunday, May 3, 2026

May 3, 2026 is World Press Freedom Day.

• World Press Freedom Day Worldwide

  A free press safeguards access to information.

Around the world

• Mother's Day — 6 countries: Spain, Angola, Hungary and 3 more
• Constitution Day — Japan, Poland

Monday, May 4, 2026

May 4, 2026 is International Firefighters' Day.

• International Firefighters' Day Fun day

  Thanks to the firefighters who run towards danger to keep us safe.

Around the world

• Early May Bank Holiday — United Kingdom. The UK's first long weekend of spring.
• May Bank Holiday (Ireland) — Ireland. A long spring weekend in Ireland.
• Remembrance of the Dead — Netherlands
• 7 more days around the world in the app →

Tuesday, May 5, 2026

May 5, 2026 is National Teacher Appreciation Day in the United States. It is also World Asthma Day, World Hand Hygiene Day and World Portuguese Language Day. And a fun one: Cinco de Mayo.

• National Teacher Appreciation Day United States

  The perfect time to write a thank-you note to a teacher.

• World Asthma Day Worldwide

  Asthma can be controlled. Take your medicine regularly and avoid triggers.

• World Hand Hygiene Day Worldwide

  Proper handwashing takes 20 seconds. Sing 'Happy Birthday' twice and you're done.

• World Portuguese Language Day Worldwide

  Olá! A day for Portuguese, spoken on four continents.

• International Day of the Midwife Worldwide

  Thank you to the midwives who help us say hello to the world.

• Cinco de Mayo United StatesFun day

  Mexican culture celebrated across the U.S. with tacos, music and colour.

Around the world

• Liberation Day (Netherlands) — Netherlands. Celebrating liberation from Nazi occupation in 1945 with festivals.
• Children's Day — Japan, South Korea
• Arrival Day — Guyana

Wednesday, May 6, 2026

May 6, 2026 is Nurses Day.

• Nurses Day Fun day

  A week of thanking nurses for their care begins.

Around the world

• St. George's Day — Bulgaria

Thursday, May 7, 2026

May 7, 2026 is World Athletics Day.

• World Athletics Day Fun day

  Run, jump or throw: enjoy the fun of athletics today!

Around the world

• Radio and Television Day — Bulgaria
• Defender of the Fatherland Day — Kazakhstan
• Soldier's Day — El Salvador
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Friday, May 8, 2026

May 8, 2026 is WWII Remembrance and Reconciliation (May 8–9).

• WWII Remembrance and Reconciliation (May 8–9) Worldwide

  We remember the millions lost in the Second World War and recall the value of peace.

Around the world

• Victory in Europe Day (8 May 1945) — United Kingdom, France
• Liberation Day — Czechia, Norway
• Parents' Day (Korea) — South Korea. Koreans pin carnations on their parents.
• 4 more days around the world in the app →

Saturday, May 9, 2026

May 9, 2026 is World Migratory Bird Day. And a fun one: Lost Sock Memorial Day.

• World Migratory Bird Day Worldwide

  The storks are back! Look up at the sky.

• Lost Sock Memorial Day Fun day

  A playful tribute to every sock the washing machine ate!

Around the world

• Europe Day — 8 countries: Germany, France, Spain and 5 more
• Victory Day — 7 countries: Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan and 4 more
• Victory over Fascism Day — Azerbaijan. Marking the 1945 victory in the Second World War.
• 3 more days around the world in the app →

Sunday, May 10, 2026

May 10, 2026 is Mother's Day in the United States. It is also World Lupus Day and International Day of Argania.

• Mother's Day United States

  It's Mom's day! Just calling to hear her voice is the best gift.

• World Lupus Day Worldwide

  A day of support for lupus, the disease of a thousand faces, and those living with it.

• International Day of Argania Worldwide

  A day for Morocco's argan tree and the women's cooperatives that keep it alive.

Around the world

• Remembrance of Slavery and its Abolition (France) — France. Remembering the slave trade, slavery and its abolition.

Monday, May 11, 2026

May 11, 2026 is Eat What You Want Day.

• Eat What You Want Day Fun day

  Enjoy that dish you've been craving today.

Around the world

• Mother's Day — Honduras

Tuesday, May 12, 2026

May 12, 2026 is International Day of Plant Health. And a fun one: International Nurses Day.

• International Day of Plant Health Worldwide

  Healthy plants, healthy tables. A day for protecting plants from pests and disease.

• International Nurses Day Fun day

  Florence Nightingale's birthday. A huge thank you to nurses!

Around the world

• Saint Andrew the First-Called Day — Georgia

Wednesday, May 13, 2026

May 13, 2026 is Frog Jumping Day.

• Frog Jumping Day Fun day

  A hopping day inspired by Mark Twain's famous story!

Around the world

• Our Lady of Fátima pilgrimage — Portugal. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims gather at Fátima.

Thursday, May 14, 2026

May 14, 2026 is Dance Like a Chicken Day.

• Dance Like a Chicken Day Fun day

  Flap your arms and dance like nobody's watching!

Around the world

• Ascension Day — 32 countries: Germany, France, Netherlands and 29 more
• Father's Day — Germany. It's Dad's day! No need for the tie cliché, a hug works too.
• Independence Day — Paraguay
• 2 more days around the world in the app →

Friday, May 15, 2026

May 15, 2026 is Peace Officers Memorial Day in the United States. It is also International Day of Families.

• Peace Officers Memorial Day United States

  Remembering U.S. police officers who died in the line of duty.

• International Day of Families Worldwide

  Spend a little more time with your family today.

Around the world

• San Isidro (Madrid) — Spain. Madrid celebrates its patron saint with traditional dress and street parties.
• Teachers' Day (Mexico) — Mexico. Mexico thanks its teachers.
• Teachers' Day (Korea) — South Korea. Korean students give carnations to their teachers.
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Saturday, May 16, 2026

May 16, 2026 is Armed Forces Day in the United States. It is also Living Together in Peace Day and International Day of Light.

• Armed Forces Day United States

  Thanking those currently serving in the U.S. military.

• Living Together in Peace Day Worldwide

  Different as we are, we can live peacefully in the same street and the same world.

• International Day of Light Worldwide

  A day for the science of light, on the anniversary of the laser's invention.

Around the world

• SPLA Day — South Sudan

Sunday, May 17, 2026

May 17, 2026 is World Telecommunication Day. And a fun one: Cherry Cobbler Day.

• World Telecommunication Day Worldwide

  The notification you're reading right now is part of this day.

• Cherry Cobbler Day Fun day

  A warm, fruity and crumbly dessert to celebrate spring.

Around the world

• Galician Literature Day — Spain. Honouring writers in the Galician language.
• Constitution Day — Norway
• Liberation Day — DR Congo

Monday, May 18, 2026

May 18, 2026 is International Museum Day.

• International Museum Day Fun day

  Many museums open for free or with special events today. Go visit one!

Around the world

• Victoria Day — Canada. Canada's unofficial start of summer: a long weekend and fireworks.
• Ascension Day — Colombia
• Flag and Universities' Day — Haiti
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Tuesday, May 19, 2026

May 19, 2026 is World Fair Play Day. And a fun one: Pizza Party Day.

• World Fair Play Day Worldwide

  Winning is nice, playing fair is nicer.

• Pizza Party Day Fun day

  Gather your friends, order a few pizzas and have fun!

Around the world

• Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day — TRNC (Northern Cyprus), Türkiye
• Buddha's Birthday — Bangladesh
• President Ho Chi Minh's Birthday — Vietnam

Wednesday, May 20, 2026

May 20, 2026 is World Bee Day.

• World Bee Day Worldwide

  Much of what we eat depends on bees for pollination. Thank you, bees!

Around the world

• Independence Day — Timor-Leste
• National Day — Cameroon

Thursday, May 21, 2026

May 21, 2026 is World Day for Cultural Diversity. It is also International Tea Day. And a fun one: Talk Like Yoda Day.

• World Day for Cultural Diversity Worldwide

  The world's colours: different cuisines, music and traditions enrich us all.

• International Tea Day Worldwide

  Strong or light? Today belongs to the tulip-shaped tea glass.

• Talk Like Yoda Day Fun day

  Flip your sentences around: "Fun, this day will be, hmm!"

Around the world

• Independence Day — Montenegro
• Navy Day — Chile
• National Defense Day — Hungary
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Friday, May 22, 2026

May 22, 2026 is International Day for Biological Diversity. And a fun one: Sherlock Holmes Day.

• International Day for Biological Diversity Worldwide

  Every living thing has a role in nature.

• Sherlock Holmes Day Fun day

  Read a detective story on author Arthur Conan Doyle's birthday.

Around the world

• Unity Day — Yemen
• Independence Day — Montenegro

Saturday, May 23, 2026

May 23, 2026 is End Obstetric Fistula Day. And a fun one: World Turtle Day.

• End Obstetric Fistula Day Worldwide

  An awareness day for a preventable childbirth injury.

• World Turtle Day Fun day

  A day for slow, steady turtles and the care they deserve.

Around the world

• Whitsun Eve — Sweden

Sunday, May 24, 2026

May 24, 2026 is International Day of the Markhor. And a fun one: Brother's Day.

• International Day of the Markhor Worldwide

  A day to protect the markhor, the spiral-horned mountain goat.

• Brother's Day Fun day

  Message your brother and share a laugh together.

Around the world

• Pentecost (Whit Sunday) — Germany, France
• Pentecost — 25 countries: Netherlands, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and 22 more
• Buddha's Birthday — South Korea, Taiwan
• 4 more days around the world in the app →

Monday, May 25, 2026

May 25, 2026 is Memorial Day in the United States. It is also World Football Day. And a fun one: Towel Day.

• Memorial Day United States

  Americans remember those who died in military service; the unofficial start of summer.

• World Football Day Worldwide

  A day for everyone who kicks a ball. Keep the rivalry friendly today!

• Towel Day Fun day

  For galaxy-hopping hitchhikers a towel is essential. Don't forget yours!

Around the world

• Spring Bank Holiday — United Kingdom. A long weekend in the UK: picnic time.
• Whit Monday — 31 countries: Germany, France, Netherlands and 28 more
• Africa Day — Public holiday in 6 countries: Gambia, Guinea, Madagascar and 3 more
• 7 more days around the world in the app →

Tuesday, May 26, 2026

May 26, 2026 is Paper Airplane Day.

• Paper Airplane Day Fun day

  Who can fold the plane that flies the furthest?

Around the world

• National Sorry Day — Australia. Remembering the Stolen Generations of Aboriginal children.
• Arafat Day — Bahrain, Djibouti, Libya
• Independence Day — Georgia, Guyana
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Wednesday, May 27, 2026

May 27, 2026 is Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı) (May 27–30). And a fun one: Sunscreen Day.

• Eid al-Adha (Kurban Bayramı) (May 27–30) Worldwide

  Eid al-Adha Mubarak! Wishing you a festive time shared with loved ones.

• Sunscreen Day Fun day

  Summer's coming: don't forget your sunscreen!

Around the world

• National Resistance Day (France) — France. Marking the founding of the National Council of the Resistance in 1943.
• Mother's Day — Bolivia
• Children's Day — Nigeria
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Thursday, May 28, 2026

May 28, 2026 is World Hamburger Day. And a fun one: Hamburger Day.

• World Hamburger Day Fun day

  Extra cheese, extra pickles… today belongs to the burger.

• Hamburger Day Fun day

  A juicy patty, fresh bun and all the toppings: burger time!

Around the world

• Independence Day — Azerbaijan
• Derg Downfall Day — Ethiopia
• Republic Day — Armenia
• 1 more day around the world in the app →

Friday, May 29, 2026

May 29, 2026 is International Day of UN Peacekeepers. And a fun one: Paper Clip Day.

• International Day of UN Peacekeepers Worldwide

  Honouring those who serve to keep the peace around the world.

• Paper Clip Day Fun day

  Say thanks to the tiny, handy paper clip.

Saturday, May 30, 2026

May 30, 2026 is World MS Day. It is also International Day of Potato.

• World MS Day Worldwide

  A day of support and awareness for people living with multiple sclerosis.

• International Day of Potato Worldwide

  Fried, mashed, baked… has a potato ever let you down?

Around the world

• Canary Islands Day — Spain. The Canaries' autonomy day: folk music and local food.
• Armed Forces Day (Spain) — Spain. Celebrated in Spain with military parades.
• Statehood Day — Croatia
• 4 more days around the world in the app →

Sunday, May 31, 2026

May 31, 2026 is World No-Tobacco Day. And a fun one: Macaroon Day.

• World No-Tobacco Day Worldwide

  No better day to quit. The smoke-free counter in Countdown is waiting for you.

• Macaroon Day Fun day

  Take a sweet little break with a coconut or almond treat.

Around the world

• Mother's Day — France, Sweden
• Vesak Day — Public holiday in 4 countries: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and 1 more
• Pentecost — Greece, Romania, Ukraine
• 2 more days around the world in the app →