May Day Around the World

May Day always falls on the 1st of May, but it’s less about the date, and more about the transition. It’s that point of the year where winter feels like it’s actually gone, the days are actually longer, and people remember they actually like being outside. It’s like an unspoken rule,, and around the world it’s marked with more than maypoles or that first evening in a pub garden.

In parts of Northern Europe, that shift is marked by Walpurgis Night on the last day of April, which ties in nicely with similar, older traditions like the Gaelic Beltane. Both revolve around fire - big, unapologetic bonfires that light up the night and signal the end of winter. Historically, these fires were believed to protect people, animals, and crops, but they also served a simpler purpose: just bringing everyone together to feel a fresh start. There’s a bit of folklore thrown in (witches, spirits, general mischief), but strip all that back and it’s really about drawing a line under the colder, stagnant months and stepping into something lighter.

Elsewhere, things take a softer, more romantic turn. In France, May Day is all about giving sprigs of lily-of-the valley as a gesture of good luck. You’ll often see them being sold on street corners just for the occasion. In the Czech Republic, there’s a tradition of couples kissing under a blossoming tree (usually cherry) on 1 May, which is said to bring love and keep things “fresh” for the year ahead. Both customs are simple, but they lean into the same feeling - flowers, fresh starts, and a bit of romance now the world’s woken up again.

Further afield, May Day becomes more of a full-on celebration of culture and community. In Hawai‘i, Lei Day is colourful, welcoming and centred around connection. People give and wear leis made from flowers, leaves or shells, and schools often hold performances or crown a Lei Day court representing the different islands. Meanwhile in Italy, Calendimaggio leans into the theatrical side, with entire towns putting on medieval-style performances, processions and music, often splitting into groups to compete. It’s part festival, part performance, and very committed.

What’s interesting is how consistent it all feels, even across completely different cultures. Early May is a natural turning point. The weather improves, everything feels a bit more alive, and there’s a sense that it’s time to get out and enjoy it.

Whether it’s fire, flowers or full-scale festivals, May Day around the world is really just about one thing: summer’s coming - and it’s worth celebrating properly.

Across the world, different traditions mark that moment in their own way - but they all come back to the same idea: summer’s on its way.

BY HOLLY GARWOOD, 1ST MAY 2026