May 2026 Events Celebrations & Special Days
Image Credit: Ilona
Events, celebrations, awareness events, saint's days, annual campaigns, major sporting events - UK and global festivities happening in Britain and around the world in May 2026.
Spring is in full swing, and in May we celebrate May Day, schools break up for half term and we can tuck into a tasty treat for World Biscuit Day! You can also celebrate one of the great works of English literature on World Dracula Day.
Here are all of the key dates and events happening this May in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland as well as around the world.
May Day
1st May 2026
May Day is an ancient pagan spring festival, traditionally celebrated across Europe with maypole dancing and the crowning with a floral crown of a May Queen.
– May Day Printable Wordsearch
International Gilbert & Sullivan Day
3rd May 2026
Celebrating the comic operas of Gilbert & Sullivan, on the birthday of the man who brought them together, Richard D'Oyly Carte.
– Gilbert & Sullivan Printable Wordsearch
World Laughter Day
3rd May 2026
The celebration of World Laughter Day is a positive manifestation for World Peace and it builds up a global consciousness of brotherhood and friendship through laughter.
May Day Bank Holiday
4th May 2026
Held on the Monday closest to May Day, this day is a Bank Holiday in the UK and Ireland.
Screen-Free Week
4th May to 10th May 2026
Annual event to encourage us to unplug from digital entertainment and spend all that free time playing, reading, daydreaming, creating, exploring, and connecting with family and friends.
How To Take Part In Screen Free Week
Star Wars Day
4th May 2026
A pun on the date 4th May inspired the phrase May The Fourth Be With You. So this day is now known as Star Wars Day, so fans have the perfect excuse to watch their favourite film or spin-off TV series today.
– Star Wars Day Colouring Pictures
– 30+ Star Wars Craft Activities For Kids
Cinco De Mayo
5th May 2026
Celebration of Mexican culture to commemorate the Mexican Army's unlikely victory over the French Empire at the Battle of Puebla. It has now become a more general celebration of Mexican culture.
What Is Cinco De Mayo All About?
– Cinco de Mayo Colouring Picture 
Europe Day
9th May 2026
A day celebrating peace and unity in Europe. It is celebrated by displaying the Flag of Europe and commemorates the founding of the Council of Europe.
Mother's Day (US)
10th May 2026
This is the day when you let your Mom know how much you love her on her special day. Established by Anna Jarvis in 1908, it recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds.
National Sun Awareness Week
11th May to 17th May 2026
Organised by the British Association of Dermatologists, the aim of this day is raising awareness of the dangers of excessive sun exposure and how to avoid sunburn and skin cancers.
Tips for Staying Safe in The Sun
– Children's Sun Protection Clothing
– Stay Safe in the Sun Colouring Poster
International Nurses Day
12th May 2026
Held on the birthday of Florence Nightingale to mark the contributions that nurses make to society. It is a day to recognise the important role of nurses around the world.
Eurovision Song Contest
12th May to 16th May 2026
Eurovision is an annual internationl celebration of music. The 70th Eurovision Song Contest will be held in Vienna, Austria.
International Day of Families
15th May 2026
A UN designated day to promote awareness of issues relating to families and to increase the knowledge of the social, economic and demographic processes affecting families.
International Museum Day
18th May 2026
A day to raise awareness on the fact that museums are an important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among peoples.
World Bee Day
20th May 2026
The purpose of World Bee Day is to raise awareness of the importance of pollinators, the threats they face and their contribution to sustainable development.
International Tea Day
21st May 2026
A UN designated day to take action to promote the sustainable production and consumption of tea and raise awareness of its importance in fighting hunger and poverty.
International Day for Biological Diversity
22nd May 2026
United Nations sponsored international day for the promotion of biodiversity issues, covering a broad spectrum of issues including climate change, sustainability, food security, transport and vulnerable groups including indiginous peoples.
World Turtle Day
23rd May 2026
The aim of World Turtle Day is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
Africa Day
25th May 2026
The annual commemoration of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity on 25 May 1963. The day is marked with both speeches by political and social leaders, and concerts featuring cultural entertainment, poetry and speakers.
May Half Term
25th May to 29th May 2026
Schools in the UK break up for a week, but do check with your school for individual date variations.
– Things To Do In May Half Term
Towel Day
25th May 2026
In memory of Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy author Douglas Adams. To celebrate the writer's life and work fans will openly carry around a towel all day, because a froody person who was really together always knew where their towel was.
Late Spring Bank Holiday
25th May 2026
The late spring Bank Holiday, held on the last Monday in May, was originally know as Whit Monday. The Whitsun weekend was traditionally a time for fairs, morris dancing and parades with brass bands.
Geek Pride Day
25th May 2026
Geek Pride Day is a fun worldwide celebration of geekiness and nerdom. So if you are wildly enthusiastic about something today is the day to tell all your friends about it!
Eid ul-Adha
26th May to 30th May 2026
This Muslim festival remembers the prophet Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son when God ordered him to. It is celebrated by prayer and visiting family and friends.
World Dracula Day
26th May 2026
World Dracula Day is held annually on May the 26th. This is the date of the first publication of Bram Stoker's Dracula.
National Biscuit Day
29th May 2026
A celebration of this tasty treat, whether you regard it as a sweet snack to go with a cup of tea, or a savory addition to a meal.
– Free Printable Biscuit Wordsearch
Oakapple Day
29th May 2026
Also known as Restoration Day, it is a traditional English celebration of the restoration of the monachy in 1660, following the death of Oliver Cromwell.
Here are some more important events that are coming soon.