In the Northern Hemisphere, May signals the start of better weather and relaxation. May has a number of monthly observances to be aware of, including Arthritis Awareness Month, Better Sleep Month, Mental Health Awareness Month, National Walking Month, and Women's Health Care Month. May is recognised as Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, as well as Military Appreciation Month. It’s also Mother’s Day in the US! Here, we take a closer look at some of our favourites.

Key dates for your May 2024 calendar

📅 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 | starts 1 May 2024

👉 Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is dedicated to talking about mental illness while pregnant or after having a baby.  This year’s Awareness Week is ‘Together In A Changing World’, which is about connecting communities, virtual and real-life support, and focusing on working together for all families at what is, for many, a difficult time #myjourneytorecovery

📅 National Asian Pacific American Heritage Month (US) | starts 1 May 2024

👉 May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, celebrated by The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and more. Join us in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America's history and are instrumental in its future success.

📅 Star Wars Day | 4 May 2024

👉 Celebrating Star Wars day with the traditional greetif “May the 4th Be With You!” — which has been around since at least 1978.

📅 World Fairtrade Day 2024 | 13 May 2024

👉 World Fair Trade Day takes place on 13th May 2024. Organised by the World Fair Trade Organisation, the aim of the day is to celebrate Fair Trade and encourage the public to, where possible, choose Fair Trade goods, becoming fair and ethical consumers. Fair Trade means fairly for goods and services that have been sustainably sourced and also engaging in supporting the fight against economic crisis, poverty, gender inequality and climate change.

📅 Learning At Work Week 2024 | starts 15 May 2024

👉 Learning at Work Week (LAWW) focuses on our human capacity to learn, how we can be great lifelong learners and the importance of connection and community for empowered people and dynamic organisations. Coordinated by the Campaign for Learning since 1999, the primary goal of Learning at Work Week is to spotlight the benefits of learning and development at work and build learning cultures at work.

📅 Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 | starts 15 May 2024

👉 Mental Health Awareness Week runs from Monday 15th May to Sunday 21st May 2024. This year, join the fight for mental health. Together, we can tackle loneliness #IveBeenThere

READ MORE: Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

📅 World Meditation Day 2024 | 21 May 2024

👉 Modern life can feel relentless and stressful. But with the right tools, we all have the potential to be healthier and happier. According to one study, people with anxiety who regularly practised meditation over the course of three years saw positive, long-term impacts on their mental health.

📅 National Conversation Week 2024 | starts 24 May 2024

👉 National Conversation Week is all about the simple, pleasurable, and rewarding art of simply talking to each other. This week is about opening up inquisitive conversations to develop deeper knowledge, boost confidence, and expand human connection.

Of course, this is just a selection of dates! If we've missed any days or events that are key for your HR, Culture or People team, be sure to let us know on Twitter or LinkedIn.

Explore The Rest of 2024

Key cultural calendar dates, weeks and observances for the rest of 2024:

💡 Would you like to mark any of these events with an expert speaker? Let us know, and we’ll find the perfect PepTalk expert for your organisation. Email us at hello@getapeptalk.com or send us a message via the chat. You can also call us on +44 20 3835 2929 (UK) or +1 737 888 5112 (US). Remember, it’s always a good time to get a PepTalk!

Culture Calendar

Success favours the prepared. That’s why we’ve compiled a free calendar of awareness days and weeks to support your business.

From health and wellbeing to culture and DEI, adding the calendar will keep you on the pulse of what’s happening and ahead of the game. Plus, it works across all platforms.

Culture Calendar