May 2026 Observances
The month of May has many cultural, religious, and awareness days that have significant meaning to people from various cultures and religions around the world.
Having the opportunity to acknowledge these observances will enable employees to learn about different cultures, celebrate your workplace’s community, and build a more inclusive workplace.
Want us to send you a monthly list of observances and insightful articles?
List of Observances in May 2026
May 1-31 Jewish Heritage Month is celebrated throughout May in both the United States and Canada. This month celebrates Jewish people and their accomplishments in various fields including law, medicine, politics, arts, philanthropy and business.
May 1-31 Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month AAPI Heritage Month is a time for reflection and celebration. Americans and Canadians of Asian descent have contributed greatly to various fields including science, arts, sport, business, and government.
📣Check out our AAPI Heritage Month Training for your workplace!
May 1 Vesak is also known as Buddha Day. This day is observed by Buddhists in South Asia, Southeast Asia, Tibet, and Mongolia. Vesak commemorates the life, death, and enlightenment of the Buddha and is one of the most important events to Buddhists. It follows the lunisolar Vaisakha month, leading to varied dates across Buddhist traditions.
May 5 Cinco de Mayo began as a celebration of Mexico's victory over France at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The day has since turned into a commemoration of Mexican culture and heritage. Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in Puebla, Mexico and parts of the United States with significant Mexican-American populations
May 10 Mother’s Day is a global celebration of motherhood. Mother's Day was created in 1908 by Anna Reeves Jarvis. Prior to the creation of Mother's Day, Julia Ward Howe campaigned for "Mother's Peace Day" in 1873. Despite being pioneered in the United States, Mother's Day is celebrated on the same day in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and other countries.
May 17 The International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia raises awareness of the diverse sexualities and gender identities of the LGBTQ+ community. This worldwide awareness day demands freedom from all forms of violence against the community.
May 21-23 Shavuot is often referred to as the "Festival of Weeks" and a Jewish holiday commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
May 21 Global Accessibility Awareness Day occurs annually on the third Thursday of May and its goal is to raise awareness about digital access and inclusion.
May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a United Nations-sanctioned international holiday. This day celebrates the diversity of cultures and promotes the need to bridge the gap between cultures for peace, stability, and development.
May 25-30 Hajj is an annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Muslims must partake at least once in their lifetime, given they are financially and physically able to do so. Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam, and one ritual of Hajj includes walking counterclockwise seven times around the Kaaba.
May 27-30 Eid al-Adha follows the annual Hajj pilgrimage. During this time, Muslims commemorate the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) and his willingness to sacrifice his son to Allah (God). Prayers are said, feasts are held, and gifts are exchanged.
📅Looking for a Eid al-Adha communications template to share with your team?
May 30 World MS Day brings together the global multiple sclerosis (MS) community to share stories, promote awareness, and fight for everyone impacted by multiple sclerosis.
