Early May Bank Holiday
May 5, Monday
History
The holiday was first introduced in 1978 and was established under the Banking and Financial Dealings Act 1971. Its creation was partly in response to trade union campaigns for a workers’ day similar to International Workers’ Day, which is celebrated on May 1st in many countries around the world.
Significance
While originally associated with labor movements, the Early May Bank Holiday has become more of a general celebration of spring and the coming of summer in the UK. It is largely secular in nature.
Customs and Observances
On this holiday, people often engage in a variety of leisure activities. Common practices include:
- Attending and participating in May Day parades and fairs
- Watching or joining in traditional Morris dancing
- Enjoying local festivals and outdoor concerts
- Spending time outdoors with family and friends
Differences from May Day
Although the Early May Bank Holiday is close in date to May Day (May 1), the two are not always celebrated on the same day. If May 1 falls on a weekday other than Monday, the bank holiday still occurs on the first Monday of May, separating the two occasions.
Recent Notable Changes
In rare cases, the date of the Early May Bank Holiday has been modified. For example, in 2020 it was moved from Monday, May 4 to Friday, May 8 to coincide with the 75th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day).