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May 2026 Calendar: Complete Guide to Holidays, Events & Key Dates

May 2026 contains 31 days. The month begins on Friday, May 1, 2026, and ends on Sunday, May 31, 2026. It spans 5 full weeks and includes major holidays across the US, UK, and internationally, 2 full moons, 4 long weekends, and several significant global events.

Table of Contents

May 2026 Calendar Overview

May 2026 is the 5th month of the year in the Gregorian calendar. It falls in the second quarter (Q2) of 2026, which runs from Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to Tuesday, June 30, 2026.

Calendar AttributeDetail
Month number5
Total days31
First dayFriday, May 1, 2026
Last daySunday, May 31, 2026
Total weekdays (Mon–Fri)21
Total weekend days10
Total weeks5 (4 complete weeks + partial days)
QuarterQ2 2026
ISO week numbersWeek 18 – Week 22
Leap yearNo

May 2026 starts on a Friday. This structure means that workers in the US and UK both gain long weekends from their respective public holidays — Memorial Day (Monday, May 25, 2026) in the US and two bank holidays (Monday, May 4, 2026 and Monday, May 25, 2026) in the UK.

May 2026 Monthly Calendar Grid (Sunday Start)

SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
31

Bold dates indicate US federal holidays or UK bank holidays.

May 2026 Calendar Grid (Monday Start – EU/International Format)

MonTueWedThuFriSatSun
123
45678910
11121314151617
18192021222324
25262728293031

The Monday-start format is the ISO 8601 standard and is used across the European Union, the United Kingdom, and most of Asia. The Sunday-start format is standard in the United States and Canada.

May 2026 Week-by-Week Breakdown

May 2026 is divided into 5 calendar weeks. The ISO week numbers are Week 18 through Week 22.

WeekDatesISO WeekKey Events
Week 1Friday, May 1 – Sunday, May 3, 2026Week 18May Day / International Labour Day; Flower Moon
Week 2Monday, May 4 – Sunday, May 10, 2026Week 19Early May Bank Holiday (UK, May 4); Cinco de Mayo (May 5); National Teacher Day – US (May 5); Mother’s Day – US/Canada (May 10)
Week 3Monday, May 11 – Sunday, May 17, 2026Week 20Eurovision Song Contest Finals (May 16); FA Cup Final (May 16)
Week 4Monday, May 18 – Sunday, May 24, 2026Week 21Armed Forces Day – US (May 16); Taurus ends / Gemini begins (May 21)
Week 5Monday, May 25 – Sunday, May 31, 2026Week 22Memorial Day – US (May 25); Spring Bank Holiday – UK (May 25); UEFA Champions League Final (May 30); Blue Moon (May 31)

Holidays in May 2026 – Full List by Region

May 2026 contains 7 nationally recognized public holidays across the US, UK, and major international regions. The table below lists each holiday, its date, and the countries it applies to.

United States Holidays in May 2026

DateDayHolidayType
Friday, May 1, 2026FridayInternational Labour DayObservance (not federal)
Tuesday, May 5, 2026TuesdayCinco de MayoCultural observance
Tuesday, May 5, 2026TuesdayNational Teacher Appreciation DayObservance
Sunday, May 10, 2026SundayMother’s DayNational observance
Saturday, May 16, 2026SaturdayArmed Forces DayObservance
Monday, May 25, 2026MondayMemorial DayFederal public holiday

Memorial Day falls on Monday, May 25, 2026. It is the only US federal public holiday in May. Federal offices, banks, the US stock market, and most public schools are closed on this date. Per the Uniform Monday Holiday Act (1968), Memorial Day is permanently observed on the last Monday of May.

United Kingdom Bank Holidays in May 2026

DateDayHolidayNations
Monday, May 4, 2026MondayEarly May Bank HolidayEngland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland
Monday, May 25, 2026MondaySpring Bank HolidayEngland, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland

The UK has 2 bank holidays in May 2026. Both fall on Mondays, creating two 3-day weekends. According to the UK government (GOV.UK), all four constituent nations of the United Kingdom observe both of these dates.

International and Religious Observances in May 2026

DateDayObservanceRegion
Friday, May 1, 2026FridayInternational Labour Day / May Day80+ countries
Sunday, May 3, 2026SundayWorld Press Freedom DayGlobal (UNESCO)
Sunday, May 10, 2026SundayMother’s DayUS, Canada, Australia, many others
Thursday, May 14, 2026ThursdayAscension DayChristian observance
Sunday, May 31, 2026SundayPentecost (Whit Sunday)Christian observance

May 2026 Long Weekends – How to Maximize Your Days Off

May 2026 offers 2 long weekends in the UK and 1 in the US. Workers who strategically use annual leave around these dates can extend short breaks into multi-day holidays.

UK Long Weekends in May 2026

Long Weekend 1 – Early May Bank Holiday

DayDateStatus
SaturdayMay 2, 2026Weekend
SundayMay 3, 2026Weekend
MondayMay 4, 2026Bank Holiday

Taking Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday, May 6, as annual leave creates a 5-day break using only 2 days of leave.

Long Weekend 2 – Spring Bank Holiday

DayDateStatus
SaturdayMay 23, 2026Weekend
SundayMay 24, 2026Weekend
MondayMay 25, 2026Bank Holiday

Taking Tuesday, May 26, through Friday, May 2,9 as annual leave, combined with the following weekend (May 30–31), creates a 9-day break using only 4 days of leave.

US Long Weekend – Memorial Day 2026

DayDateStatus
SaturdayMay 23, 2026Weekend
SundayMay 24, 2026Weekend
MondayMay 25, 2026Federal Holiday

Taking Friday, May 22, as annual leave creates a 4-day Memorial Day weekend using only 1 day of leave.

May 2026 Calendar With Holidays – Date-by-Date Reference

The following table lists every date in May 2026 with its day of the week and any associated holiday or observance.

DateDayHoliday / Observance
May 1, 2026FridayInternational Labour Day; Flower Moon (Full Moon)
May 2, 2026Saturday—
May 3, 2026SundayWorld Press Freedom Day
May 4, 2026MondayEarly May Bank Holiday (UK); Star Wars Day (“May the 4th”)
May 5, 2026TuesdayCinco de Mayo; National Teacher Appreciation Day (US)
May 6, 2026Wednesday—
May 7, 2026Thursday—
May 8, 2026FridayV-E Day anniversary (Europe)
May 9, 2026Saturday—
May 10, 2026SundayMother’s Day (US, Canada, Australia)
May 11, 2026Monday—
May 12, 2026TuesdayInternational Nurses Day
May 13, 2026Wednesday—
May 14, 2026ThursdayAscension Day (Christian)
May 15, 2026FridayInternational Day of Families (UN)
May 16, 2026SaturdayArmed Forces Day (US); FA Cup Final; Eurovision Grand Final
May 17, 2026Sunday—
May 18, 2026Monday—
May 19, 2026Tuesday—
May 20, 2026WednesdayLast full day of Taurus
May 21, 2026ThursdayGemini begins; World Day for Cultural Diversity (UN)
May 22, 2026FridayInternational Day for Biological Diversity (UN)
May 23, 2026Saturday—
May 24, 2026Sunday—
May 25, 2026MondayMemorial Day (US); Spring Bank Holiday (UK); Africa Day
May 26, 2026Tuesday—
May 27, 2026Wednesday—
May 28, 2026Thursday—
May 29, 2026Friday—
May 30, 2026SaturdayUEFA Champions League Final
May 31, 2026SundayBlue Moon (Full Moon); Pentecost / Whit Sunday

Major Events in May 2026

May 2026 hosts several globally significant sporting, cultural, and astronomical events. The following sections cover each in detail.

Sporting Events in May 2026

UEFA Champions League Final – Saturday, May 30, 2026

The 2025–26 UEFA Champions League Final takes place on Saturday, May 30, 2026. The host city is yet to be confirmed by UEFA. The final is one of the most-watched annual sporting events globally, with an average television audience exceeding 380 million viewers across 200+ territories, according to UEFA broadcast data.

Travel demand to the host city typically increases 40–60% during the final week. Accommodation in host cities frequently reaches full capacity 3–6 months before the event.

FA Cup Final – Saturday, May 16, 2026

The FA Cup Final 2026 takes place at Wembley Stadium, London, on Saturday, May 16, 2026. Wembley Stadium has a capacity of 90,000. The FA Cup is the oldest national football cup competition in the world, founded in 1871.

Formula 1 – May 2026 Races

The 2026 Formula 1 calendar includes multiple rounds during May. Specific race dates for the full 2026 F1 calendar will be confirmed by the FIA in late 2025. The Miami Grand Prix has historically been scheduled for the first weekend of May.

Eurovision Song Contest 2026 – Week of May 12–16, 2026

The Eurovision Song Contest 2026 is scheduled during the week of Tuesday, May 12 to Saturday, May 16, 2026. The host country will be confirmed following the Eurovision 2025 results. The contest broadcasts to an average audience of 160–180 million viewers across Europe and beyond, according to the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).

The Grand Final takes place on Saturday of Eurovision week — Saturday, May 16, 2026.

Mother’s Day – Sunday, May 10, 2026

Mother’s Day in the United States, Canada, and Australia falls on Sunday, May 10, 2026. It is observed on the second Sunday of May each year, a schedule established in the US by Congressional proclamation in 1914. The National Retail Federation (NRF) reports that US consumers spent an estimated $33.5 billion on Mother’s Day in 2023, making it one of the highest retail spending days of the year.

Note: Mother’s Day in the United Kingdom falls on Sunday, March 15, 2026 (Mothering Sunday), not in May.

Cinco de Mayo – Tuesday, May 5, 2026

Cinco de Mayo falls on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. It commemorates the Mexican Army’s victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. The holiday is widely observed in Mexico and across Mexican-American communities in the United States.

Astronomy and Moon Phases in May 2026

May 2026 is astronomically rare: it contains 2 full moons. A month with 2 full moons is not uncommon (occurring roughly every 2.5 years), but the specific placement of both full moons — one on the first day and one on the last — creates a “bookend” pattern that adds additional significance to this month’s lunar calendar.

Moon Phases in May 2026

PhaseDateDayName
Full MoonFriday, May 1, 2026FridayFlower Moon
Last QuarterSaturday, May 9, 2026Saturday—
New MoonSaturday, May 16, 2026Saturday—
First QuarterSunday, May 24, 2026Sunday—
Full MoonSunday, May 31, 2026SundayBlue Moon (Seasonal)

The Flower Moon – Friday, May 1, 2026

The first full moon of May 2026 is the Flower Moon, occurring on Friday, May 1, 2026. The Flower Moon is the traditional name given to the full moon of May by various Indigenous North American peoples and recorded by colonial-era almanacs. The name references the abundance of spring flowers blooming in North America during May.

The Blue Moon – Sunday, May 31, 2026

The second full moon of May 2026 — the Blue Moon — occurs on Sunday, May 31, 2026. A Seasonal Blue Moon is defined as the third full moon in an astronomical season that contains four full moons. The term “Blue Moon” in its calendar context does not describe the moon’s color; actual visual blue coloration of the moon is caused by atmospheric particles, typically from wildfire smoke or volcanic ash.

Full moons coinciding with the first and last days of the same calendar month occur approximately every 2–3 years, depending on the alignment of the lunar cycle (29.5 days) with the calendar month.

Eta Aquariids Meteor Shower – Peak: May 5–6, 2026

The Eta Aquariids meteor shower peaks on the night of Tuesday, May 5, into Wednesday, May 6, 2026. This meteor shower is produced by debris from Halley’s Comet. At peak, the Eta Aquariids produce approximately 40–85 meteors per hour under dark sky conditions, according to the American Meteor Society. The shower is best observed from the Southern Hemisphere, though it remains visible from northern latitudes.

The 2026 peak coincides with a waning gibbous moon (Last Quarter: May 9), which means minimal moonlight interference for 2026 viewers, making it a favorable year for observation.

Zodiac Signs in May 2026

May 2026 covers 2 zodiac signs: Taurus and Gemini. The transition occurs on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Zodiac SignDates in May 2026ElementSymbol
TaurusFriday, May 1 – Wednesday, May 20, 2026Earth♉ Bull
GeminiThursday, May 21 – Sunday, May 31, 2026Air♊ Twins

Taurus – May 1 to May 20, 2026

Taurus is the second sign of the zodiac. People born between Friday, May 1, 2026, and Wednesday, May 20, 2026 are Taurus. The sun enters Taurus on April 20 each year and exits on approximately May 20–21.

Gemini – May 21 to May 31, 2026

Gemini is the third sign of the zodiac. People born between Thursday, May 21, 2026, and Sunday, May 31, 2026, are Gemini. The sun enters Gemini on approximately May 20–21 each year.

May 2026 Birthstone, Birth Flower, and Symbols

The birthstone for May is the emerald. The birth flowers are the lily of the valley and the hawthorn.

SymbolDetail
BirthstoneEmerald
Birth FlowersLily of the Valley; Hawthorn
Zodiac SignsTaurus (May 1–20); Gemini (May 21–31)
Season (Northern Hemisphere)Spring
Season (Southern Hemisphere)Autumn

The emerald is a variety of the mineral beryl. Its characteristic green color comes from trace amounts of chromium and vanadium. Colombia, Zambia, and Brazil are the three largest producers of gem-quality emeralds, according to the Gemological Institute of America (GIA).

The lily of the valley (Convallaria majalis) is one of the most recognized spring flowers. It is the national flower of Finland. The hawthorn (Crataegus species) is a flowering shrub or tree common across Europe and North America, with documented traditional medicinal uses in herbal medicine.

Historical Anniversaries in May 2026

May 2026 marks several notable historical anniversaries.

DateAnniversaryYears
Friday, May 1, 2026Founding of the Illuminati (May 1, 1776)250th anniversary
Tuesday, May 5, 2026Alan Shepard became the first American in space (May 5, 1961)65th anniversary
Friday, May 8, 2026V-E Day – Victory in Europe (May 8, 1945)81st anniversary
Sunday, May 24, 2026Sam Morse sent the first telegraph message, “What hath God wrought” (May 24, 1844)182nd anniversary

May 2026 Q2 Business and Fiscal Calendar Context

May 2026 is the second month of Q2 (the second fiscal quarter), which runs from Wednesday, April 1, 2026, to Tuesday, June 30, 2026. For businesses operating on a standard calendar-year fiscal structure, May represents the midpoint of Q2.

Q2 2026 MilestoneDate
Q2 beginsWednesday, April 1, 2026
Q2 midpointSaturday, May 16, 2026
Q2 endsTuesday, June 30, 2026
US Federal Tax filing deadline (standard)Wednesday, April 15, 2026
Memorial Day (US markets closed)Monday, May 25, 2026
UK Spring Bank Holiday (markets closed)Monday, May 25, 2026

Project managers and finance teams using ISO week numbers should note that May 2026 spans ISO Weeks 18 through 22. Payroll cycles, sprint planning, and quarterly reporting windows that reference ISO weeks should account for the two UK bank holidays on Monday, May 4, 2026, and Monday, May 25, 2026, which reduce working days in those weeks from 5 to 4.

May 2026 contains 21 working days in a standard Monday–Friday schedule, excluding US federal holidays (20 working days when Memorial Day is subtracted) and UK bank holidays (19 working days when both bank holidays are subtracted).

CountryWorking Days in May 2026
Standard (no holidays subtracted)21
United States (Memorial Day excluded)20
United Kingdom (both bank holidays excluded)19

May 2026 Academic Calendar

For students and academic institutions in the Northern Hemisphere, May 2026 marks the end of the spring semester and the beginning of the spring exam period. Key dates vary by institution, but general patterns are consistent across major university systems.

Academic EventTypical Timing in May 2026
Spring semester final exams beginEarly May (around May 4–8, 2026)
Spring semester end (US universities)Mid-May (around May 15–20, 2026)
Graduation ceremonies (US)Mid-to-late May (May 15–31, 2026)
End of UK academic yearLate May to mid-June 2026
A-Level exams (UK)May–June 2026 (begin early May)

Students planning study schedules around the May 2026 calendar should account for the UK Early May Bank Holiday on Monday, May 4, 2026, which falls during the typical start of the UK exam period.

How Many Days in May 2026

May 2026 contains 31 days. May always has 31 days. This is a fixed value in the Gregorian calendar and is not affected by leap year status.

MetricValue
Total days31
Weekdays (Mon–Fri)21
Weekend days (Sat–Sun)10
Mondays4 (May 4, 11, 18, 25)
Tuesdays5 (May 5, 12, 19, 26)
Wednesdays5 (May 6, 13, 20, 27)
Thursdays5 (May 7, 14, 21, 28)
Fridays5 (May 1, 8, 15, 22, 29)
Saturdays4 (May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30)
Sundays4 (May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31)

Note that May 2026 has 5 Tuesdays, 5 Wednesdays, 5 Thursdays, and 5 Fridays due to the month starting on a Friday.

May 2026 Compared to Surrounding Months

MonthDaysStarts OnKey Holiday
March 202631SundaySt. Patrick’s Day (March 17)
April 202630WednesdayEaster Sunday (April 5)
May 202631FridayMemorial Day (May 25); UK Spring BH (May 25)
June 202630MondayJuneteenth – US (June 19)
July 202631WednesdayIndependence Day – US (July 4)

Weather in May 2026 – What to Expect by Region

May 2026 weather follows standard Northern and Southern Hemisphere seasonal patterns, with historical climate data providing reliable averages for major destinations.

Northern Hemisphere

RegionAverage High (°C)Average High (°F)Conditions
London, UK17°C63°FMild, partly cloudy, occasional rain
New York, US21°C70°FWarm, moderate humidity
Paris, France20°C68°FMild, variable cloud cover
Tokyo, Japan23°C73°FWarm, humid; early rainy season begins late May
Cancún, Mexico32°C90°FHot, humid; pre-hurricane season

Southern Hemisphere

RegionAverage High (°C)Average High (°F)Conditions
Sydney, Australia19°C66°FMild, beginning of autumn
Cape Town, South Africa18°C64°FCool, wet season beginning

Climate averages are based on 30-year normal data from national meteorological services, including the UK Met Office, NOAA (US), and Météo-France.

May 2026 Travel Planning

May is one of the highest-demand travel months globally, driven by the US Memorial Day weekend, UK bank holidays, and the end of the European shoulder season.

Top US Memorial Day Weekend Destinations (May 23–25, 2026)

According to AAA, approximately 38–42 million Americans travel over Memorial Day weekend each year, making it one of the three busiest US travel holidays.

Popular domestic destinations during Memorial Day weekend include:

  • Orlando, Florida – theme parks
  • Las Vegas, Nevada – entertainment and hospitality
  • Miami, Florida – beach and nightlife
  • New York City, New York – city tourism
  • Myrtle Beach, South Carolina – coastal tourism

Book accommodation at least 3–4 months in advance for Memorial Day 2026 (by January–February 2026) due to high demand, particularly in coastal and resort destinations.

Top UK May Bank Holiday Destinations

The UK Spring Bank Holiday weekend (Saturday, May 23 to Monday, May 25, 2026) is one of the UK’s busiest travel periods. Short-haul European city breaks are the most common trip type for UK travelers during this period, according to the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA).

May 2026 Planner and Bullet Journal Ideas

May 2026 offers several structured planning themes based on its key dates and events.

Key focus areas for a May 2026 monthly planner include:

  • Memorial Day weekend logistics (US): Transportation, accommodation, and activity bookings for the May 23–25, 2026 weekend
  • UK bank holiday breaks: Annual leave requests around May 4 and May 25 for extended breaks
  • Mother’s Day preparation (US/Canada/Australia): Gifts, reservations, and travel plans for Sunday, May 10, 2026
  • End-of-semester academic deadlines: Exam schedules, assignment submissions, and graduation ceremonies
  • Eta Aquariids viewing: Dark sky location planning for the night of Tuesday, May 5, into Wednesday, May 6, 2026
  • Full moon photography: Dates for Flower Moon (Friday, May 1) and Blue Moon (Sunday, May 31)
  • Q2 business milestones: Mid-quarter review tracking for fiscal week 10 of Q2

Frequently Asked Questions About May 2026

What day does May 2026 start?

May 2026 starts on a Friday, May 1, 2026.

How many days are in May 2026?

May 2026 has 31 days, from Friday, May 1, 2026, to Sunday, May 31, 2026.

What holidays are in May 2026?

May 2026 includes Memorial Day (US) on Monday, May 25, 2026; two UK bank holidays on Monday, May 4 and Monday, May 25, 2026; and International Labour Day on Friday, May 1, 2026. Mother’s Day (US/Canada/Australia) falls on Sunday, May 10, 2026.

Is May 25, 2026, a holiday in both the US and UK?

Yes. Monday, May 25, 202,6 is simultaneously a US federal holiday (Memorial Day) and a UK bank holiday (Spring Bank Holiday). Both countries observe this date as a public holiday, though for different historical and traditional reasons.

How many weekdays are in May 2026?

May 2026 contains 21 weekdays (Monday through Friday). This reduces to 20 for US workers (Memorial Day excluded) and 19 for UK workers (both bank holidays excluded).

Does May 2026 have a Blue Moon?

Yes. May 2026 contains 2 full moons: the Flower Moon on Friday, May 1, 2026, and the Blue Moon on Sunday, May 31, 2026.

What week number is May 2026?

May 2026 spans ISO weeks 18 through 22. Week 18 begins on Monday, April 27, 2026, and includes May 1–3. Week 22 runs from Monday, May 25, to Sunday, May 31, 2026.

When is Mother’s Day in May 2026?

Mother’s Day in the United States, Canada, and Australia is Sunday, May 10, 2026 — the second Sunday of May. Mother’s Day in the UK (Mothering Sunday) falls on Sunday, March 15, 2026, and does not occur in May.

What zodiac sign covers most of May 2026?

Taurus covers the majority of May 2026, from Friday, May 1, to Wednesday, May 20, 2026. Gemini begins on Thursday, May 21, 2026.

Is Easter in May 2026?

No. Easter Sunday 2026 falls on Sunday, April 5, 2026, not in May.

Is Ramadan in May 2026?

No. Ramadan 2026 runs from Wednesday, February 18 to Thursday, March 19, 2026, not in May.

How many weeks are in May 2026?

May 2026 spans portions of 5 calendar weeks. It does not contain any complete ISO weeks from Monday to Sunday entirely within May — Week 19 (May 4–10) and Week 20 (May 11–17) are the closest to complete weeks fully within the month.

May 2026 at a Glance

CategoryKey Information
MonthMay 2026
Days31
StartsFriday, May 1, 2026
EndsSunday, May 31, 2026
Weekdays21 (20 in US; 19 in UK)
US Federal HolidayMemorial Day – Monday, May 25, 2026
UK Bank HolidaysMonday, May 4 and Monday, May 25, 2026
Full MoonsFriday, May 1 (Flower Moon); Sunday, May 31 (Blue Moon)
Meteor Shower PeakEta Aquariids – night of May 5–6, 2026
Zodiac TransitionTaurus ends May 20; Gemini begins May 21
BirthstoneEmerald
Birth FlowersLily of the Valley; Hawthorn
QuarterQ2 2026
ISO Weeks18 – 22
Major EventUEFA Champions League Final – Saturday, May 30, 2026
Major EventEurovision Grand Final – Saturday, May 16, 2026
Major EventFA Cup Final – Saturday, May 16, 2026

All dates in this article follow the Gregorian calendar. Holiday dates for the United States are sourced from the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM).

UK bank holiday dates are sourced from GOV.UK. Lunar phase dates are sourced from NASA’s Moon Phase Calendar. Climate averages are sourced from national meteorological agencies, including the UK Met Office and NOAA.

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