Important dates for your diary – May

1, Beltane, Wicca and Pagan

Beltane is the ancient Celtic festival marking the beginning of summer and the rebirth of life – an important event in the agrarian year! The first mention of it is in a glossary thought to have been written by a bishop named Cormac, who died in 908 AD. This described cattle being led between two bonfires, to protect them from disease before they were sent out to pasture. This tradition was still being observed in Ireland as late as the 19th century, and today Beltane is still celebrated with the lighting of fires.

5-11, Deaf Awareness Week

Deaf Awareness Week was created by the UK Council on Deafness to make deafness and the barriers Deaf and hard of hearing people face more visible to hearing people. The theme for Deaf Awareness Week 2025 is Beyond Silence, encouraging better understanding of diverse communication methods, such as sign language, lip reading and assistive technology. It also aims to raise awareness of the barriers faced by Deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK.

May’s dates at a glance:

Religious/cultural

1 –      Beltane, Wicca and Pagan
1 –      Yom Ha’Atzmaut, Judaism
1 –      Twelfth Day of Ridvan, Baha’i
3 –      Feast of Saints Philip and James, Catholic Christian
11 –    Guru Amar Das Jayanti, Sikh
12 –    Vesak, Buddhist
14 –    Feast of Saint Matthias, Catholic Christian
16 –    Lag Baomer, Judaism
23 –    Declaration of the Báb, Baha’i
26 –    Yom Yerushalayim, Judaism
28 –    Ascension of Baha‘U’llah, Baha’i
29 –    Feast of the Ascension, Orthodox Christian
31 –    Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Catholic Christian

Awareness and Events

1 –          International Workers’ Day
4 –          International Family Equality Day
5-11 –     Deaf Awareness Week
8 –          World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
12-18 –   Coeliac UK Awareness Week