May dates for your diary

Calendar snapshots

1st – Beltane, Celtic/Wiccan/Pagan

Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival, welcoming summer and letting the cattle out into the open pastures. Celebrants light bonfires and in rural Ireland, cattle were traditionally led between two fires in order to protect them from disease.

2nd – Eid al Fitr, Islamic

This Eid marks the end of the Muslim Holy Month of Ramadan. The day begins with communal prayer (salat), after which typically follows a lot of feasting and celebration.

6th – Vesak, Buddhist

This is the most important festival of the year for Theravada Buddhists, and honours the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. It is marked with special services and good deeds, like the release of birds previously held captive.

May dates

1st Beltane (Wicca/Pagan, Northern and Southern hemispheres)
2nd Twelfth Day of Ridvan (Baha’i)
Eid al Fitr (Islam)
Birthday of Guru Arjan Dev (Sikh)
Bank Holiday – England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and ROI
3rd Feast of Saints Philip and James (Catholic Christian)
Akshaya Tritiya (Hindu, Jain)
World Press Freedom Day
4th Yom HaZikaron (Judaism)
International Firefighters Day
5th Yom Ha’Atzmaut (Judaism)
6th Vesak (Buddhist)
8th World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day
12th International Nurses Day
15th International Day of Families
17th International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
19th Lag BaOmer (Judaism)
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
21st World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
22nd International Day for Biological Diversity
23rd Birthday of Guru Amar Das (Sikh)
24th Declaration of the Báb (Baha’i)
26th Ascension Day – Christian
29th Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i)
Yom Yerushalayim (Judaism)
International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
31st Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Catholic Christian)
World No Tobacco Day

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