International awareness days and key dates

Awareness days, weeks and months, with bank holidays and the big commercial dates. Pick a country and the types you need, then subscribe in your own calendar.

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May 2029

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1Tue
Tuesday 1 May 2029
- World Asthma Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on the first Tuesday of May that raises awareness of asthma and better care for people living with it.
2Wed
Wednesday 2 May 2029
- World Maternal Mental Health Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on the first Wednesday of May that raises awareness of mental health during pregnancy and the first year after birth.
- World Tuna Day
  Awareness
  
  World Tuna Day on 2 May highlights the importance of sustainable tuna fishing for food security and the economy.
3Thu
Thursday 3 May 2029
- World Press Freedom Day
  Awareness
  
  World Press Freedom Day on 3 May defends media independence and honours journalists who have lost their lives doing their job.
5Sat
Saturday 5 May 2029
- African World Heritage Day
  Awareness
  
  A UNESCO day on 5 May that celebrates Africa's natural and cultural heritage and supports its protection.
- International Day of the Midwife
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 5 May celebrating midwives and calling for more investment in midwifery.
- World Hand Hygiene Day
  Awareness
  
  Held on 5 May each year, WHO's day for promoting clean hands in health care to prevent infections picked up during treatment.
- World Portuguese Language Day
  Awareness
  
  World Portuguese Language Day on 5 May celebrates the Portuguese language and the cultures of Portuguese-speaking countries.
6Sun
Sunday 6 May 2029
- International Compost Awareness Week
  Awareness6 to 12 May 2029
  
  A week in early May that promotes composting and the use of compost to improve soil and cut waste.
- International Dawn Chorus Day
  Awareness
  
  A celebration of birdsong held on the first Sunday in May, when people get up early to listen to the dawn chorus.
8Tue
Tuesday 8 May 2029
- International Thalassaemia Day
  Awareness
  
  Marked on 8 May, this day raises awareness of thalassaemia, an inherited blood disorder, and supports patients and better access to care.
- Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives During the Second World War
  Awareness8 to 9 May 2029
  
  On 8 and 9 May the UN remembers all victims of the Second World War, alongside national victory and liberation days.
- World Ovarian Cancer Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 8 May that unites patient groups to raise awareness of ovarian cancer and push for earlier diagnosis.
10Thu
Thursday 10 May 2029
- Ascension Day
  Religious and cultural
  
  Ascension Day falls on a Thursday 39 days after Easter Sunday and marks Jesus ascending into heaven.
- International Day of Argania
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Argania on 10 May recognises the argan tree and its value for biodiversity and for rural women in Morocco.
- Thy Kingdom Come
  Religious and cultural10 to 20 May 2029
  
  A global Christian prayer movement held over the eleven days from Ascension Day to Pentecost each year.
- World Lupus Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 10 May that raises awareness of lupus and calls for earlier diagnosis, better care and more research.
12Sat
Saturday 12 May 2029
- International Day of Plant Health
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Plant Health on 12 May shows how protecting plants from pests and disease helps end hunger and protect nature.
- International Nurses Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 12 May, Florence Nightingale's birthday, recognising the work of nurses.
- ME Awareness Day
  Awareness
  
  A day on 12 May that raises awareness of myalgic encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS), also marked worldwide as World ME Day.
- World Fair Trade Day
  Awareness
  
  Held on the second Saturday of May to celebrate fair trade and the producers, makers and businesses that work to its principles.
- World Migratory Bird Day (May)
  Awareness
  
  World Migratory Bird Day is held twice a year, on the second Saturday of May and October, to raise awareness of migratory birds and their protection.
15Tue
Tuesday 15 May 2029
- International Day of Families
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Families on 15 May raises awareness of the social, economic and demographic issues that affect families.
16Wed
Wednesday 16 May 2029
- International Day of Light
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Light on 16 May celebrates the role of light in science, culture, education and sustainable development.
- International Day of Living Together in Peace
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Living Together in Peace on 16 May encourages people to accept differences and live together in unity and harmony.
17Thu
Thursday 17 May 2029
- Global Accessibility Awareness Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on the third Thursday of May encouraging everyone to think and learn about digital access and inclusion.
- International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 17 May standing in solidarity with LGBTQIA+ people and opposing discrimination.
- World Hypertension Day
  Awareness
  
  A global day on 17 May that encourages people to check their blood pressure and to prevent and control high blood pressure.
- World Telecommunication and Information Society Day
  Awareness
  
  World Telecommunication and Information Society Day on 17 May explores how the internet and digital technology can benefit society and close the digital divide.
18Fri
Friday 18 May 2029
- International Museum Day
  Awareness
  
  International Museum Day on 18 May highlights the role of museums in society, with museums worldwide running events around a yearly theme.
19Sat
Saturday 19 May 2029
- World Fair Play Day
  Awareness
  
  World Fair Play Day on 19 May promotes respect, inclusion and fairness in sport, and opposes violence and doping.
20Sun
Sunday 20 May 2029
- International Clinical Trials Day
  Awareness
  
  A day on 20 May recognising clinical research and the people who take part in trials.
- Pentecost (Whit Sunday)
  Religious and cultural
  
  Pentecost, also called Whit Sunday, falls seven weeks after Easter Sunday and celebrates the gift of the Holy Spirit.
- World Bee Day
  Awareness
  
  World Bee Day on 20 May raises awareness of bees and other pollinators and the need to protect them and their habitats.
- World Metrology Day
  Awareness
  
  Marked on 20 May each year to highlight the science of measurement and the anniversary of the Metre Convention of 1875.
21Mon
Monday 21 May 2029
- International Tea Day
  Awareness
  
  International Tea Day on 21 May celebrates tea's cultural heritage and promotes sustainable production and fair trade from field to cup.
- World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
  Awareness
  
  On 21 May the UN celebrates the world's many cultures and the role of cultural dialogue in peace and development.
22Tue
Tuesday 22 May 2029
- International Day for Biological Diversity
  Awareness
  
  The International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May raises awareness of the loss of nature and the action needed to protect it.
23Wed
Wednesday 23 May 2029
- International Day to End Obstetric Fistula
  Awareness
  
  The International Day to End Obstetric Fistula on 23 May calls for action on a preventable childbirth injury that leaves many women injured and isolated.
- World Turtle Day
  Awareness
  
  Held on 23 May, World Turtle Day raises awareness of turtles and tortoises and the threats to their survival and habitats.
24Thu
Thursday 24 May 2029
- International Day of the Markhor
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of the Markhor on 24 May raises awareness of a threatened wild mountain goat of Central and South Asia.
25Fri
Friday 25 May 2029
- Africa Day
  Religious and cultural
  
  Africa Day on 25 May marks the founding of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963 and celebrates African unity and heritage.
- Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
  Awareness25 to 31 May 2029
  
  From 25 to 31 May the UN marks a week of solidarity with the peoples of the territories that are not yet self-governing.
- World Football Day
  Awareness
  
  World Football Day on 25 May celebrates football as a tool for peace, inclusion and the empowerment of women and girls.
27Sun
Sunday 27 May 2029
- Trinity Sunday
  Religious and cultural
  
  Trinity Sunday is the Christian festival of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit, held on the Sunday after Pentecost, 56 days after Easter.
29Tue
Tuesday 29 May 2029
- International Day of UN Peacekeepers
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of UN Peacekeepers on 29 May honours peacekeepers and remembers those who have died serving under the UN flag.
30Wed
Wednesday 30 May 2029
- International Day of Potato
  Awareness
  
  The International Day of Potato on 30 May celebrates one of the world's most important food crops and the farmers who grow it.
- World MS Day
  Awareness
  
  A global awareness day for multiple sclerosis held on 30 May each year.
31Thu
Thursday 31 May 2029
- Corpus Christi
  Religious and cultural
  
  Corpus Christi is a Christian feast giving thanks for Holy Communion, held on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, 60 days after Easter.
- World No Tobacco Day
  Awareness
  
  World No Tobacco Day on 31 May raises awareness of the harm caused by tobacco and the tactics of the tobacco industry.

May at a glance

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50 dates this month in the International calendar.

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