Early May Bank Holiday in United Kingdom
When is Early May Bank Holiday in United Kingdom?
Early May Bank Holiday in United Kingdom is on May 5, 2025. It falls on Monday.
How many days until Early May Bank Holiday in United Kingdom?
There are 164 Days left until Early May Bank Holiday in the United Kingdom.
Is Early May Bank Holiday a public holiday in United Kingdom?
Early May Bank Holiday, otherwise known as May Day, is obviously one of the bank holidays in United Kingdom. It marks the start of the summer season.
Origin of Early May Bank Holiday
Early May Bank Holiday, also known as May Day, is a holiday commemorated in the United Kingdom. It is a national public holiday celebrated every first Monday in the month of May. All schools are closed and most of workers are given a day-off from work as well since it is a one of the bank holidays in UK.
When did Early May Bank Holiday become an official holiday in the UK?
On year 1978, Early May Bank Holiday was introduced as an official holiday in the United Kingdom. Even before it was declared as an official holiday, people have been celebrating this for centuries. The holiday is associated with ancient pagan celebration, which is mainly characterized by dancing, singing, community gatherings, and other events. Traditionally, Early May Bank Holiday is marked with a feast honoring the start of the summer season. In recent years, most places celebrate the holiday as a commemoration for the employees’ rights. That was after the same day was labeled as the International Worker’s Day by the socialists and communists. Aside from the United Kingdom, several countries around the world also observe May Day.
Early May Bank Holiday Traditions
Crowning a May Queen
Crowning a May Queen is a traditional event for the British people. The crowned queen would act as a living image of the Roman Goddess Flora, the Goddess of flowers. Such event was referred by historians as Floralia, festival of flowers. Floralia is the earliest known celebration associated with May Day which dates back to the Roman Republic era. It is said to inspire how May Day is celebrated nowadays. Making floral garlands and decorating houses with flowers and leaves is also observed.
Maypole Dancing
The celebration also involves on dancing around a maypole. A maypole is a tall pole which is sometimes painted and decorated with flowers or other design materials where a ribbon is attached at the top of the pole. The ribbons attached to it is where the children or whoever dances around the pole hold when they begin dancing or making circles around it. In some places in UK, girls would wake up earlier than the usual and wash their faces, inspired by a belief that it would make them more beautiful in the incoming year. For some people, this holiday is taken a day to exercise their workers’ rights.
| Year | Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | May 05 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 2026 | May 04 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 2027 | May 03 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 2028 | May 01 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 2029 | May 07 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| 2030 | May 06 | Monday | Early May Bank Holiday |
| Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Christmas Day | December 25, 2024 |
| Boxing Day | December 26, 2024 |
| New Year's Day | January 01, 2025 |
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