5. Holidays and Festivals in May

May Day

The first day of the month of May is known as May Day. It is the time of year when warmer weather begins and flowers and trees start to blossom. It is said to be a time of love and romance. It is when people celebrate the coming of summer with lots of different customs that are expressions of joy and hope after a long winter.

Traditional English May Day celebrations include Morris dancing, crowning a May Queen and dancing around a Maypole⁶.

May Day Bank Holiday ⁷

The month of May has many traditions and celebrations. For the convenience of the general public, many May Day activities have now been moved to the new May Day holiday（from 1978） on the first Monday of the month. This Monday is a bank holiday, a day off school and work. Many of the May Day celebrations take place at the weekend as well as on the “May Day” Monday. The weekend is known as bank holiday weekend because it comes with the extra day holiday on the Monday.