Workplace holidays to celebrate in May

Enhance employee engagement with these May workplace holidays and celebrations.

Looking for a way to stay on top of all the holidays your team celebrates can be quite a challenge. But worry no more! We’ve curated a list of holidays for May to keep you in the loop on what’s most commonly celebrated alongside unique and engaging DEI-focused celebrations and awareness opportunities. These celebrations are a great way to enhance your high-performance culture.

This blog post was updated on June 30, 2026, and now features dates for May 2027.

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Month-long celebrations in May

Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month

Asian immigrants first arrived in the U.S. in 1587, but did you know the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the United States in May 1843? They did! This is just one of the reasons we recognize the contributions of all people of Asian American or Pacific Islander ancestry during May.

Mental Health Awareness Month

May is also Mental Health Awareness Month — a time to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public and advocate for policies that support people with mental illness and their families. (Note: May 5 is National Silence the Shame Day, an opportunity to eliminate mental health stigma, minimize health disparities and lower suicide rates among vulnerable populations.) Here are ways you can support employee mental health.

Military Appreciation Month

Military Appreciation Month reminds us to thank our service members and their families for their work. Armed Forces Day is May 16. (Note: May 25 is Memorial Day, a day that is more than just the unofficial start to summer. Memorial Day honors the people who died while serving in the U.S. military.)

Older Americans Month

Older Americans Month is a time to acknowledge the contributions of past generations to our country and learn their stories. (Go here to learn how any age-diverse workforce can be a competitive advantage.)

Speech & Hearing Awareness Month

Each May, Speech & Hearing Awareness Month (sometimes called Better Hearing & Speech Month) provides an opportunity to raise awareness about communication disorders and how we can create more inclusive environments.

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Additional May holidays

May 1

International Workers’ Day

Also known as May Day, International Workers’ Day began during the industrial revolution. Today, it is an opportunity to highlight workers’ rights, work towards safer environments and fair wages.

National Fitness Day

January isn’t the only time of year we should care about our wellbeing. The first Saturday in May is an opportunity to be inspired and try new ways of becoming fit and healthy. Here are some inclusive wellness challenges you can incorporate in your organization.

May 2

Orthodox Easter

Orthodox Christians, who call it Pascha, celebrate Easter later than other Christians due to different calendar calculations. It's a joyous occasion celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ that is marked by feasts, after a period of fasting during Great Lent, and always follows the Jewish holiday of Passover.

World Laughter Day

The legendary comedian Victor Borge said it best when he declared, “laughing with someone is the shortest distance between two people.” Around the world, many celebrate World Laughter Day on the first Sunday of May. People gather worldwide to laugh together and raise awareness of the many health benefits of laughter. 

May 4

Yom HaShoah – Holocaust Remembrance Day*

Observed worldwide, this holiday is set aside to remember the victims – and heroes – of the Holocaust. Yom Hashoah emphasizes how Jews resisted their Nazi tormentors through “passive resistance” – retaining their human dignity in the most unbearable conditions – and by “active resistance,” fighting the Nazis in the ghettos and joining underground partisans who battled the Third Reich in its occupied countries.

May the Fourth Be With You Day

Also known as Star Wars Day, this holiday was inspired by the iconic phrase "May the Force be with you," which fans have playfully turned into "May the fourth be with you." It's a fun day for Star Wars enthusiasts to dress up as their favorite characters, host movie marathons, and greet each other with this famous line.

May 5

Cinco de Mayo

Often confused with Mexican Independence Day (in September), Cinco de Mayo celebrates Mexico’s 1862 victory over France during the Franco-Mexican War. While Cinco de Mayo is a relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the U.S., Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage.

National Silence the Shame Day

See National Mental Health Awareness Month above for details.

May 7

World Password Day

World Password Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in May to promote better password habits. It's a reminder to keep your digital life secure with strong, unique passwords and to change them regularly. At work, you can observe the day by hosting a password security workshop, encouraging employees to update their passwords and turning on two-factor authentication for added security.

May 8

National Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive Day

The Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is a charitable initiative conducted by the U.S. Postal Service and related professional associations to make significant donations of food to organizations serving those in need. Want to help? Do a food drive with your team to help stamp out hunger. 

May 9

Mother’s Day

Did you know we can trace celebrations of motherhood back to the ancient Greeks and Romans? Mother’s Day is celebrated in the U.S. by presenting mothers and other parents and guardians with gifts and flowers, honoring their contributions to our lives.

May 15

International Day of Families

Families come in all shapes and sizes. This holiday provides an opportunity to promote awareness of issues relating to families (like Relativity did).

Hajj*

Hajj, one of the largest religious gatherings, is a profound journey of faith and reflection, held annually in Makkah (modern day Saudi Arabia). For 5-6 days each year, millions of Muslims come together to honor the sacrifice of Prophet Abraham and demonstrate unity and devotion to God. The simplicity of the pilgrims' attire symbolizes purity and equality, reminding everyone of the shared humanity.

To observe this period, workplaces can offer supportive messages to colleagues participating in or reflecting on Hajj. You might also organize a brief educational session to learn about this important pillar of Islam. If you're greeting someone, a heartfelt "May your Hajj be blessed and your journey rewarding" goes a long way!

Day of 'Arafah

The Day of ‘Arafah is a deeply significant day for Muslims worldwide. It is marked by prayer and fasting for those not on pilgrimage. It's a day of forgiveness, reflection and seeking mercy from God, as it commemorates the standing of pilgrims on the plain of ‘Arafah during Hajj.

In the workplace, consider allowing Muslim employees a break for prayer or reflection. If you want to greet someone on this day, you can say, "May your Day of ‘Arafah be blessed with peace and reflection." It's also a great opportunity to encourage everyone to engage in acts of kindness and generosity.

May 17

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia & Biphobia

According to May17.org, “The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia was created in 2004 to draw attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex people and all other people with diverse sexual orientations, gender identities or expressions and sex characteristics.” (Learn more about LGBTQIA+ inclusion here.)

Eid al-Adha*

Starting at sundown on May 16, Eid al-Adha is a Muslim festival in remembrance of the faith of the Prophet Ibrahim. Ibrahim was prepared to sacrifice his son, but Allah provided a lamb instead.

For someone observing Eid al-Adha, you can greet them with "Eid Mubarak," which means "Blessed Eid." A more specific greeting for this holiday would be "Eid al-Adha Mubarak," which directly acknowledges the occasion. Another thoughtful message could be, "May your Eid be filled with joy, blessings and peace." These greetings convey good wishes and respect for the significance of the celebration.

May 17-23

Learning at work week

Learning at Work Week celebrates the importance of ongoing learning and development in the workplace. It's a great opportunity to highlight the benefits of continuous growth and spark curiosity among employees. Workplaces can get involved by hosting workshops, guest speakers and fun learning activities, making it a week full of opportunities to learn something new and connect with colleagues.

May 21

National Bike to Work Day

National Bike to Work Day is celebrated on the third Friday in May, encouraging everyone to pedal to work to reduce congestion and pollution. It's a fun way to promote the benefits of biking and embrace a healthier commute. Workplaces can join the fun by organizing group rides, providing bike racks and offering breakfast or coffee to those who ride in. Here are some inclusive wellness challenges you can incorporate into this holiday.

May 31

Memorial Day

See Military Appreciation Month above for details.

*Indicates a holiday that begins at sundown the day prior.

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January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Full-Year Overview | Downloadable Calendar

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