Public Holiday Highlights: How Europe Celebrates in May
With multiple public holidays scattered across Parakar’s offices in Europe, it’s a month where planning ahead pays off! Whether you’re in HR, operations, or just trying to schedule a meeting, being aware of the bank holidays of the countries Parakar operates in helps.
Labour Day – May 1st
We’re kicking things off this month with Labour Day on May 1st, celebrated in Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and Poland. Otherwise known as the International Workers Day, this holiday celebrates the labour movement and its contributions to fair working conditions, including things we often take for granted today. Fun fact, while it is widely recognized as a public holiday on 1 May, this does not count for the Netherlands, the UK, and Ireland.
Early May Bank Holiday/May Day – May 5th
The UK and Ireland, however, celebrate International Workers’ day and May Day on the first Monday of May (5th of May), celebrating both the labour movement as well as the beginning of spring and summer. It is often enjoyed with long weekends and festivals.
Liberation Day – May 5th
Finally, the Dutchies get to enjoy a public holiday on 5 May, as it is Liberation Day! It commemorates the end of the Nazi occupation of The Netherlands during World War II in 1945. It is a significant national day of reflection and freedom, often marked with concerts, parades and remembrance events.
Victory in Europe Day – May 8th
In France, the official surrender of all German military operations on Tuesday 8 May in 1945 is celebrated on the 8th of May. While V-E Day is well known across Europe, France recognizes it as a national and public holiday, like the Netherlands does so on the 5th of May.
Spring Bank Holiday – May 26th
Originally, Spring Bank Holiday started as the Monday after Pentecost, so called Whit Monday. It is recognized as a public and national holiday in the UK. Eventually, this holiday was officially moved to the last Monday of May, shifting it from a purely religious significance to a broader cultural and leisure-focused celebration. It is a day for church activities, community gatherings, and any kind of social gatherings with friends and family!
Ascension Day – May 29th
Finally, to close of the month of May, France, Belgium, Germany and The Netherlands celebrate Ascension Day on May 29, a Thursday. Ascension Day, Holy Thursday, or The Feast of the Ascension of Jesus Christ is a key date in the Christian calendar, and marks the day that the church celebrates the ascent of Jesus Christ into heaven after his resurrection. Like Spring Bank Holiday, this day holds religious significance but is also widely embraced as time for family and friends gatherings, even festivals.
Implications
Parakar Group wants to encourage you to check in with your colleagues, explore each other’ s cultures, and celebrate shared moments together. Public bank holidays aren’t just days off, they reflect the diverse values and traditions that shape how we live and work across our offices in Europe. Being mindful of these cultural differences helps to foster an inclusive workplace.
It also has some practical implications: HR and payroll processes must account for varying entitlements, working hours, and local compliance. By staying aware and connected, we can build stronger teams and smoother operations across Parakar’s borders. Happy month of May!
