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May Events, Holidays + More For Your Family to Recognize and Celebrate

From celebrating teachers and mothers to honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. military.

By Macaroni KID Conejo Valley - Malibu - Calabasas May 26, 2026
Welcome... May
Image Credit: Macaroni KID

May-be we love May. Actually, there's no may-be about it. The everything is green, spring is fully in bloom, and the kids can practically taste the end of the school year! The month of May is a busy time for families, filled with holidays, celebrations, and meaningful days to honor together. May also means culminations and graduations are just around the corner, happening this month and next. It's also the time of year to make sure your summer plans are set - camps, classes and summer programs fill quickly, so planning ahead now helps avoid missing out. Be sure to check out our Summer Camp Guide to explore local options and find the right fit for your family.

This month offers opportunities for your family to celebrate teachers, fan favorites and those special people close to our heart like mothers and grandmothers. Families can also learn about different cultures, explore meaningful traditions, and honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving in the U.S. military.

💡 Helpful Tip for Macaroni Families:

May holidays are a great chance to try something new together. Cook a new recipe, make a themed craft, read a book about the holiday, or learn a bit of history behind the celebration. Small activities like these can turn everyday moments into meaningful family memories.


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Bringing you family fun things to do at home and locally in Thousand Oaks, Newbury Park, Westlake Village,  Oak Park, Agoura Hills, Malibu, Calabasas, or anywhere in Southern  California.


📅 Here’s your family-friendly guide to May holidays, celebrations, and remembrance days you can explore together.

📅 Notable May Dates in SoCal History:

  • May 3, 1939 - Union Station opens in Los Angeles
  • May 5, 1863 - First ever Cinco de Mayo celebrated in L.A.
  • May 7, 1972 - Lakes win their 1st championship in L.A.
  • May 13, 1941 - Musician Ritchie Valens was born in Pacoima
  • May 23, 1835 - Los Angeles named as capital of Alta California
  • May 26, 1951 - Astronaut Sally Ride was born in Encino
  • May 27, 1936 - RMS Queen Mary's maiden voyage from England
  • May 29, 1973 - Tom Bradley Elected L.A.'s 1st black mayor

Dates above courtesy of L.A. Meekly, a Los Angeles History Podcast


 Special Days and Weeks in May


May pole for May day toped with flowers and colored ribbons streaming downcbarnesphotography by Getty Images Signature via Canva

May Day

May 1

May Day, an ancient spring festival is celebrated in many countries around the word, often with flower festivals, parades, and dancing around Maypoles. Bake some floral cupcakes, craft some May baskets or leave some flowers for a neighbor to make their May Day!

Read a DIY how-to:



group of older kids and teens looking a comic books together
 cottonbro from Pexels via Canva

Free Comic Book Day

May 2, 2026

The first Saturday in May everyone can get a free comic book at participating local comic book stores as part of this national giveaway day - while supplies last! That's a serious superhero move. Most stores have a day or month full of special events so be on the lookout!

Celebrate Free Comic Book Day Locally at Arsenal Comics and Games!

Local Participating Comic Book Store:

Arsenal Comics and Games | (805) 499-6197 | 1610-1 Newbury Rd, Newbury Park ,91320



May the 4th be with you with a dark star filled space backgroud wtih two bright stars and light sabers in a Star Wars theme

Star Wars Day

May 4

May the 4th be with You! Every year on the fourth day of May Star Wars fans around the world celebrate their love of all things Star Wars. Keep your celebration simple and just watch or binge on your favorite Star Wars movies or the many other Star Wars themed shows that followed. If simple is not your style you can dress up and grab a glass of blue milk before sitting down to watch.

Interesting read:

Why stop with the 4th, here are a few more Star Wars Days to celebrate in May:  

More ways to celebrate Star Wars:



Table filled with Mexican food for Cinco de Mayo Celebration
arinahabich  from Getty Images via Canva

Cinco de Mayo

May 5

In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo is a minor holiday meant to celebrate the Mexican Army's victory over the French on May 5, 1862. However, here in the United States, it's turned into a festive day to celebrate Mexican-American traditions, heritage and culture with, family, music and cuisine.

Interesting reading: 

Everything you need to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo with your Family:



mom and dad looking at a pink I love Mom card with a heart from a little boy for Mother's day also dad is holding a bouque of flowersRyanKing999 via Canva

Mother's Day

May 10, 2026

The second Sunday is May is a special day to honor Moms. It doesn't matter if the appreciation of the work you do comes in the form of a sticky hug, a handmade card, breakfast in bed, or an expensive gift. Know that you are loved today, and every day. Don't forget about your grandmothers and aunts on this special day.

Fun and Kid-Friendly ideas for Mother's Day


Watch this kid-friendly video all about Shavuot

Shavuot

Sunset May 21 - sundown May 23, 2026

Shavuot  might be less well known than other Jewish holidays like Hanukkah,  Passover, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur, but it is one of the three  pilgrimage festivals mentioned in the Torah, making it a significant  holiday for Jewish people worldwide. Seven weeks after Passover ends,  it’s time to celebrate Shavuot. This holiday marks the biblical story of  receiving the Ten Commandments and the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Originally a  harvest festival, Shavuot is now celebrated by studying the Torah,  staying up all night, crafting paper cut-outs, and enjoying local foods,  especially dairy treats like blintzes, cheesecake and ice cream.

A fun and delicious Shavuot tradition is eating dairy foods. Many people decorate their homes and synagogues with greenery,  sweet-smelling plants, and flowers. On the first day of Shavuot, it is  common for men, women, and children to go to the synagogue to hear the  reading of the Ten Commandments.

Shavuot also provides a perfect  opportunity to connect with the Torah and Ten Commandments and reinforce  values we are already teaching our children: honesty, honoring others,  and sharing. While not all families regularly celebrate Shavuot, it’s a  holiday that’s perfect for kids – offering an excuse for sleepovers,  flower picking, ice cream socials, and many other fun activities.

📅 Save the date: June 10-12, 2027 | May 30-June1, 2028

Learn More:


 
young boy placing flags at a cemetary for Memorial day
Suzanne Walker from Pexels via Canva

Memorial Day

Monday, May 25, 2026

For many families Memorial Day Weekend is the unofficial kickoff to summer - even if some kids are still have a few weeks left of school. This day is so much more, and it's important to remember why we observe this special day on the last Monday of May. 

Memorial Day is a U.S. federal holiday, so no school, no mail, and libraries are closed. Most importantly, it's a day to remember and honor those who died while serving our country in the U.S. military. Take a moment to honor their sacrifice and reflect on the freedoms we enjoy because of their service. 

Honoring those that served can be as simple as taking some time out of the day to remember the true meaning of this important holiday and showing respect to those who gave their lives in service to our country. Teach your children about our county's rich history, the importance of freedom, and the sacrifices that have been made to make the USA what it is today. 

You might also consider attending a local ceremony, displaying a flag, or creating a simple craft like poppies to help children understand the meaning of the day. 

📅 Check the calendar for local Memorial Day events

Remember - Freedom is not Free


Week Long Observances in May


three kids, one girl and two boys sitting on the ground together outside smiling and laughing Digitalskillet via Canva

Screen-Free Week

May 4-10, 2026

Celebrate Screen-Free Week, typically held the first full week in May, and seize the opportunity to disconnect from digital distractions and reconnect with your family and the world around you. Although set for May, you can choose to go screen-free whenever it suits your family’s schedule. This special week encourages children, families, schools, and entire communities across the globe to exchange their digital devices for the simple pleasures of life beyond the screen.

Participating in Screen-Free Week isn't about sacrificing your screens; it's about rediscovering the myriad joys that await when you do. Instead of an hour on YouTube, imagine an hour spent exploring nature or a local park. Replace those minutes scrolling through social media with creative activities like doodling or crafting. Even on a rainy day, instead of watching a movie, you could enjoy quality family time with a good book, engaging conversations, or imaginative play.

Join countless others in this refreshing tradition and give your family the gift of undistracted time together - exploring, learning, and creating memories that last far beyond the screen. Embrace the chance to power down and reconnect with the people and activities that matter most.

Need some additional inspiration? 

Find out more about participating in Screen Free week



teacher sitting at a desk filled with books with a chalkboard behind him
Hemera Technologies  from Photo Imagesvia Canva

Teacher Appreciation

Day:  May 5, 2026  | Week:  May 4-8, 2026

📅 May 1 is School Principals' Day

They work hard every day educating and enriching our children all year long, this a time to show our gratitude and say thank you for all their hard work! Often the parent organizations at school put together something special for all the staff and you might want to reach out, contribute and lend a helping hand. Also consider something special just for your child's teacher, something as simple as a thank you note from your child and yourself will be appreciated, but here are a few ideas if you want to do something extra special. 

👉 Free Printable for Teacher Appreciation

Teacher Gift ideas:

We are proud to have teachers among our Macaroni KID publishers. Read about them here!


Month Long Observances in May


Jewish American heritage Month with images of Jewish families and symbols
Images via Canva

Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month is a time to recognize the history of Jewish contributions to American culture and acknowledge the diverse achievement of the Jewish community in the U.S.


Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month 

Asian American and Pacific Islander cultures are so rich in culture and diversity because they are represented in more than 30 countries — including the entire Asian continent and the Pacific Islands — and encompass more than 100 different languages.

Above is a story we love called Lotus and Feather read by Michelle Yeoh, inspired by the true story of a crane that rescued a Chinese village. The author, Ji-li Jiang, grew up in Shanghai before moving to the U.S. in 1984.




mom and daughter sitting on the floor with legs crossed doing yoga

National Meditation Month

With May being National Meditation Month, there is no time better than the present to incorporate mindfulness into your family life. 



young girl smiling in the pool at the edge wearing a life vest with other swimmer in the background also wearing life vests for water safety

National Water Safety Month

They days are getting warmer and school will be out soon - that mean more time for water fun for our families. No matter if you are hitting the beach or the pool safety is important - make sure to talk to your kids about how to stay safe around water.



family of four sitting on a sofa smiling and laughing holiding a chalk board that says family
Kindel Media from Pexels via Canva

National Foster Care Month

May marks the month when we recognize the amazing work of foster families who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of the more than 407,000 children in foster care throughout the United States. Learn more about fostering and how you can help.

👉 Read more:



woman doctor dressed in blue holding a stethoscope

Women's Health Month

May Is National Women's Health Month


woman with her head in her hands wearing black with a black background looking disparaged
Elmar Gubisch via Canva

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental illness affects more than 50 million people in the U.S. and 17% of youth aged 6 - 17 years old experience a mental health condition. 

Mental Health Resources


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