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Enhance employee engagement with these May DEI 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 May 31, 2024 and now features dates for May 2025.
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. (Note: May 29 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.
Additional May DEI 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.
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 3
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 4
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 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
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.
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 11
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.
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 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).
May 16
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 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.)
May 19-23
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 27
Memorial Day
See Military Appreciation Month above for details.
*Indicates a holiday that begins at sundown the day prior.
Looking for more holiday calendars? Click the month you want to see:
January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December | Full-Year Overview | Downloadable Calendar
Invest in your people with Electives.
Looking for ways to celebrate each month? We've got you covered. From live daily classes to deep-dive programs, Electives makes it easy and affordable for you to offer your employees the best learning opportunities.
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