10 National Holidays in May You’ll Definitely Want to Celebrate
If the only holidays that come to mind in May are Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, you’re in for a pleasant surprise. With more than 70 national holidays in May, there are so many exciting reasons to celebrate this spring! From types of food to pop culture celebrations, holidays abound during this beautiful spring month. So, if you’re wondering, “What holiday is in May besides Mother’s Day?” then take a look at the list below for notable holidays you can celebrate with friends and family.
May 1: May Day
These days, the very first day of May marks the welcoming of Spring. But, according to History.com, this holiday celebrating the changing of the seasons got its start during the Roman Republic as a time to honor Flora, the goddess of flowers. The ancient tradition carried to other parts of Europe and centuries later is now known for dances around the maypole, crowning a “May Queen,” and hanging small baskets of flowers on the doors of family, friends, and neighbors.
There’s no better time than the present to celebrate warmer weather ahead! Make a crown of flowers and deem yourself — or another deserving lady in your home — May Queen for the day. If you can’t safely deliver small baskets of flowers to your loved ones, paint them a bouquet of flowers!
You can celebrate May Day with your friends and family virtually by organizing a Twist at Home event! Pick up the materials you need from your local Painting With a Twist studio and select the floral piece you want to paint. Getting together remotely has never been easier — or more creative.
May 2: National Brothers and Sisters Day
Not to be confused with National Sibling Day (celebrated annually on April 10th), this May holiday recognizes the special bond between brothers and sisters. While there’s no official origin of this popular social media-hashtag holiday, National Today attributes the start of #nationalbrothersandsistersday to an anonymous woman. Two years after the death of her brother, this woman started the holiday to encourage brothers and sisters to recognize their bond and cherish one another.
If you have a brother or sister, find a photo of the two of you and post it on social media using the hashtag #nationalbrothersandsistersday. Share a favorite memory and why your sibling means so much to you.
May 4: Star Wars Day
May fourth is a day when Star Wars fans worldwide unite. While this pop culture holiday’s popular catchphrase “May the fourth be with you” has been around since the 70s, the explosion of social media — and the Disney purchase of the media franchise — amplified this holiday as masterfully as a Jedi mind trick. The first “May the Fourth” Facebook group appeared in 2008 and Toronto hosted the very first Star Wars Day event in 2011. Now, Star Wars fans everywhere celebrate by hosting movie-watching marathons, dressing up, creating Star Wars-themed recipes — blue milk, anyone? — and even making crafts!
This May fourth, cue up one (or more!) of the ten movies in the series, and have yourself a Star Wars movie marathon. Watching the entire series takes a little under 23 hours. Oh, and a little joke for the supergeek: if May fourth is Star Wars Day, what’s the day after? The Revenge of the Fifth.
May 4 – 8: Teacher Appreciation Week #ThankATeacher
Teacher Appreciation Week always falls on the first full week of May. This national holiday originated in 1953, thanks to Eleanor Roosevelt, but didn’t become official until 1980. Schools and Parent-Teacher Associations nationwide organize special ways to recognize teachers in their communities.
With the ever-changing landscape of distance learning, along with having to adapt to so much new technology in the classroom, it’s never been a better time to celebrate all the hard work teachers do! And why not celebrate them with an artistic gift from your children. With a Twist at Home kit, your child has everything they need to create a memorable gift for their teacher.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo #CincoDeMayo
Every May 5th, it’s almost a guarantee that you won’t find a seat at your local mexican restaurant. But what is Cinco De Mayo, and why do we celebrate it? Well, there’s a common misconception that Cinco de Mayo is Mexico’s Independence Day, which actually falls on September 16th. Cinco de Mayo is actually the celebration of Mexico’s victory over France in the 1862 Battle of Puebla. Today, Cinco de Mayo is primarily celebrated in the United States by Mexican Americans, as the holiday became popular during the Civil Rights Movement. From parades and fiestas to Mexican folk dancing and mariachi music, Cinco de Mayo is a colorful festivity that celebrates Mexican history and Mexican-American pride!
Planning your fiesta? Create a delicious lineup of Mexican food, including tacos, Mexican street corn, tostadas, and ice-cold margaritas!
May 6 – 12: National Nurses Day
May sixth marks National Nurses Day and the start of National Nurses Week, which ends on Florence Nightingale’s birthday: May 12th. The very first National Nurses Week was celebrated in 1954 as a way to honor Nightingale’s effort to support victims during the Crimean War. It wasn’t until 1993 that the American Nurses Association (ANA) officially recognized this holiday.
This May, take time to mail a written thank you note or work of art showing your gratitude for nurses in your community.
May 15: National Pizza Party Day
No matter how you slice it, National Pizza Party Day is a holiday EVERYONE loves to celebrate. Not to be confused with National Pizza Day in February, Pizza Party Day is a time for pizza lovers to come together and celebrate in the way they know best: with a party.
The best way to celebrate National Pizza Day? Your own pizza party, of course! Buy fresh ingredients from the grocery store and have fun making pizza creations at home. Don’t forget to post a picture on social media using the hashtag #pizzapartyday.
May 16: National Armed Forces Day
This national holiday, officially recognized by Harry Truman in 1950, recognizes the men and women currently serving in all five branches of the United States military. This national holiday distinguishes itself from Veterans Day and Memorial Day as it honors active-duty military members.
This year, you can honor your servicemen and women by decorating your front porch. Proudly display an American flag, make banners, and show your love and respect for the men and women who keep us safe.
May 25: National Scavenger Hunt Day
While there’s no official record of when or why National Scavenger Hunt Day was born, it’s a simple, fun holiday that’s fun for anyone! When it comes to organizing your own scavenger hunt, start by establishing a theme: an at-home hunt, a hunt around your neighborhood, or even a photo scavenger hunt. Next, you’ll need to create a list of things to collect. A simple Google or Pinterest search provides tons of printable lists for you to choose from. Then, it’s time to hunt! Have a blast collecting your items!
May 25: National Wine Day
A more recent phenomenon, thanks to social media, National Wine Day dates back to 2009. Wine enthusiasts everywhere celebrate this national holiday by hosting at-home wine tastings with friends and throwing events at wineries.
Ready to pop the cork? There’s no better pairing than painting and wine! Host a virtual wine and paint night with your friends with a Twist at Home event.
From May Day to National Wine Day, there are plenty of May holidays to celebrate. And at Painting with a Twist, there are plenty of ways to celebrate them! Whether it’s food, pop culture, or a celebration of culture itself, make every day in May a party day. Join a virtual Twist at Home painting event and celebrate from the comfort of your home!