Spring is finally here, and with it come countless opportunities for celebration, introspection, and new beginnings. Whether you’re interested in family gatherings, music festivals, or astronomical phenomena, May has you covered. So get out your calendars and start booking dates because there’s much to do. Here are five observations to look forward to in the lovely month of May.
1. Days of Bloom
“April showers bring May flowers” has been a saying for time immemorial, and for good reason. Despite the wonky weather caused by climate change, this saying holds true. May is usually the peak of Spring, and the blooms prove it. May blossoms carpet the land across the US, from geraniums to magnolias. That said, a couple of particularly notable blooms happen elsewhere, too.
At the very beginning of May, the signature Dutch flower, the tulip, will be widespread in the rural Netherlands. Picture it: vast fields filled to the brim with waves of rainbow color swaying gently in the breeze. If you’ve ever wanted to visit the land of bikes, clogs, and windmills, this is the perfect time. Plus, after you’ve enjoyed the gorgeous countryside, you can live it up in Amsterdam!
The Dutch aren’t the only people with a spring bloom to their name. Japan is known for its incredibly delicate and dream-like cherry blossoms. But did you know the Sakura is far from the only incredible bloom Japan has to offer? Just after the Sakura have faded at April’s end, the May wisteria peaks. Prepare your travel calendar, and book a trip. You don’t want to miss these noble flowers poised in perfect purple bundles.
Years ago, some of my friends started celebrating “Spring Bloom Drive.” We have kept the date of the first Saturday of May. This year it was too cold — and no visible blooms. We are celebrating the “Blooms” this next Saturday — and caught the tulips last weekend, finally they were out!
2. Cinco de Mayo
Just as the name implies, Cinco de Mayo takes place on the fifth of May. Put this holiday on your Calendar now, and you’ll not forget it again! This holiday commemorates Mexico’s victory over the French Empire in 1862. Sometimes, this holiday is confused with Mexican Independence Day, but it is not. However, it still holds significant cultural importance, especially in the surviving state of Puebla. These days, this holiday is a grand celebration for all to enjoy.
On Cinco de Mayo, you can expect to see parades and festivals in cities across the US. These parades feature dancers in traditional attire backed by jovial mariachi bands. Some festivals will also feature themed floats to enjoy. That said, music, dance, and food are the backbone. Speaking of food, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect time to grub down on everything from tacos to enchiladas. Top it off with some margaritas, and you’ll have a fifth to remember (or maybe forget)!
Being a cultural holiday, you’ll likely also find many opportunities to learn more about its historical significance. Keep your eye out for community events and art and cultural exhibits. Community centers, schools, and local organizations will usually host events of their own. You may even find museums and galleries curate special exhibitions on Mexican art in celebration. Cinco de Mayo is a fantastic holiday to observe but avoid cultural appropriation.
3. College Graduation
College students all around the country will be preparing to walk across the big stage this May. After four years of partying and some hard work, their day finally arrived. They’ll finally get what they’ve waited for to move the tassel from one side of their cap to the other. We celebrate the High School students in our family where possible.
Seriously, this truly is a momentous occasion for hundreds of thousands of freshly minted graduates. It signifies the end of one major chapter of their lives and the beginning of another. It’s also a time to celebrate and acknowledge graduates’ achievements in your life.
Take this time before graduation to prepare a gift for them. Money always helps, but you could also get them something relevant to their major, interests, or upcoming career path. Some graduates will continue into post-grad studies; some will go right to work. And others will roam the world in search of deeper purpose and meaning. Think about the graduate in your life: how can you help them take the following steps of their journey? Give them some advice and tips to make the transition smoother.
4. Mother’s Day
You can’t have a list of May observances without that important day — it’s a shout-out to all the moms. Mother’s Day isn’t one to miss as, without moms, none of us would be here. So take the time to celebrate with yours or a friend to acknowledge all they’ve done for the world.
Planning a successful Mother’s Day celebration can be easier said than done. In the United States, Mother’s Day usually falls on or just before the weekend of college/university graduation. This can make celebrating Mother’s Day a bit tricky.
If there is a graduate in the family, everyone may actually be together already. But because the focus is on graduation, Mother’s Day can fall by the wayside. One way to prevent this is to break up the celebrations into two separate events. One night can be for mom, the next for her child. However you choose to do it, sync a shared calendar with the family to ensure everyone’s on the same page.
5. Behold the Eta Aquarid Meteor Shower
Every year, shards of Halley’s Comet brush Earth’s atmosphere in early May. These meteor shards are called the Eta Aquarid because they visually appear to originate from the Aquarius constellation. When conditions are good, it’s possible to see anywhere from 10 to 50 shooting stars per hour. And this year, conditions promise to be very good.
This year, peak activity of the Eta Aquarid will fall on the night of May 4th and into the dawn of the 5th. The same night, there’s also a brand new moon. This means the large satellite won’t shine so brilliantly as to obscure the shower. Whether you’ve never seen a meteor shower or can’t wait for the next, this one will be a sight to behold.
That said, you don’t want to forget it’s happening in the first place! The sad thing about astronomical events is that, since they’re so rare, they’re often overlooked. Even as you feel hyped reading this now, will you remember the shower a month from now? Take advantage of a digital calendar like Calendar.com, Google Cal, or the one on your phone. Use it to set up reminders to ping you in the coming weeks so you don’t miss this spectacular event!
Hooray for May
As you can see, there’s plenty to do in May. Don’t forget there’s also Memorial Day toward the end of the month. On top of that, there are plenty of fun, obscure mini-holidays as well!
Star Wars Day and Mother Goose Day both fall in this lovely month. As do Cherry Cobbler Day and Lucky Penny Day. And did you know the entire month is Strawberry Month? Many towns have strawberry festivals to celebrate the scrumptious fruit.
If you’re looking for reasons to celebrate, May has you covered. You can find it all, from significant, classic holidays to days and observances that will make you chuckle. But these holidays and observances are spent best in good company. Reach out to friends, family, and the other important people in your life to plan for them in advance. That way, you can make memories together that will last a lifetime.
Featured Image Credit: Photo by Alena Koval; Pexels
Angela Ruth
My name is Angela Ruth. I aim to help you learn how Calendar can help you manage your time, boost your productivity, and spend your days working on things that matter, both personally and professionally. Here's to improving all your calendars and becoming the person you are destined to become!