May awareness days to inspire your social media content

There’s no shortage of May awareness days – it’s a bumper month from fun ones like National Biscuit Day to health focussed dates such as Dying Matters Week. I’d recommend sprinkling these days sparingly throughout your social media feed to share a funny/interesting/thought provoking post to connect with your ideal customers around a shared interest.

Select a few days that mean something to you, that help you to tell a business story or feel right for supporting how you market your product or service.

I’ve highlighted a few of my favourites from this month, and listed the rest of these special days. Most of them are UK based but there are few fun US and Worldwide dates dropped in there too where I think there may be social media content opportunities for my community.

Tap on each of the events below and they will take you directly to the organiser’s page or to more info.

*If I’ve missed any key dates, I apologise, this is no easy job and I’m providing this to you for free.

*Please check all dates before using them in your marketing. It is your responsibility to check the accuracy of the information. I’m just sharing my own research to make life easier for you.

*Lastly please do bring any dates I have missed to my attention and I can add them in for others to view.

A few May highlights

No Mow May May

Free the wildflowers in your lawn so they can provide a feast for pollinators, tackle pollution and atmospheric carbon.

Int'l Dawn Chorus Day 4th May

Spring is the best time for birdsong so set your alarm early to be a part of one of nature’s most uplifting wonders.

Mental Health Awareness 12th-18th May

An chance for all of us to focus on achieving good mental health. This year's theme is Moving More For Our Mental Health.

International Nurses Day 12th May

On the anniversary of Florence Nightingale's birth, this global campaign sets out what we want for nursing in the future.

National Stationery Week 12th-18th May

To celebrate writing by hand, today is the day to declare that you are indeed a ‘Stationery Addict’ and proud of it!

British Sandwich Wk 18th-24th May 

Celebrating the humble sandwich in all its glory, as well as the contribution that the sandwich industry makes to the economy.

Int'l Tea Day 21st May

An opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of a good cup of tea!

National Biscuit Day 29th May

I know you don't NEED an excuse for a biscuit, but here's one anyway! Why not have a go at making your own?

May Awareness Dates

Zombie Awareness Month because it pays to be prepared for the zombie apocalypse…right?

Teen Self Esteem Month (US) 

May Measure Month – blood pressure

National Walking Month

Local & Community History Month

Skin Cancer Awareness Month (US)

Time for a Story Month

1st May – Beltane Fire Festival

1st May – Global Love Day (US)

1st May – World Password Day

1st – 8th May – Time For A Cuppa Week (Dementia UK)

2nd May – International Harry Potter Day

2nd May – International Astronomy Day

3rd MayWorld Ankylosing/Axial Spondylitis Day

4th May   Firefighters’ Memorial Day

4th May – Star Wars Day

4th May – World Laughter Day

5th May – International Day of the Midwife

5th-11th May – Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week

5th – 11th May – Sun Awareness Week

5th May – Early May Bank Holiday

5th – 11th May – Dying Matters Week

5th – 11th May Deaf Awareness Week

5th – 11th May – Red Cross Week 

6th – 12th May – Children’s Book Week (US)

6th May – No Diet Day

6th May – World Asthma Day

8th May – World Donkey Day

8th May – VE Day 80th Year

8th May – World Ovarian Cancer Day

9th May – Lost Sock Day

9th May – Celebrate Europe Day

10th May – World Lupus Day

10th – 18th May – National Doughnut Week – The Children’s Trust

10th & 11th May – Somerset Day

10th – 11th May – National Mills Weekend

10th May – World Fair Trade Day

11th May – Eat What You Want Day

11th May – National Twilight Zone Day (US)

11th May – World Ego Awareness Day

11th – 17th May-  ME Awareness Week

11th May – World Topiary Day

11th-17th May – Food Allergy Awareness Week

12th May – National Limerick Day

12th May – World ME Day

12th May – Vesak Day

12th May – International Nurses Day

12th – 25th May – Foster Care Fortnight

12th May – 12th JuneNational Smile Month – teeth

12th-18th May – Salt Awareness Week

12th – 18th May – Learning at Work Week

13th May – World Cocktail Day

13th May – Writing for Health & Healing Day

15th May – 15th June – Tourettes Awareness Month

17th May – FA Cup Final

18th May – World AIDS Vaccine Day

18th May – International Museum Day

18th May – National Children’s Day Uk

19th – 25th May – Dementia Action Week

19th – 25th May – Walk to School Week

19th – 25th May – Action for Brain Injury Week

20th May – World Bee Day

22nd May – World Goth Day

22nd May – Sherlock Holmes Day

23rd May – World Turtle Day

23rd – 27th May – Water Saving Week

24th May – 8th June – The Big Paddle Cleanup

24th May – 1st June – Children’s Gardening Week

26th May – Cheese Rolling Day

26th May – Spring Bank Holiday

27th May – 9 June – British Tomato Fortnight

28th May – World Otter Day

29th May – International Day of UN Peacekeepers

29th May – Restoration Day / Oak Apple Day

29th May- World Digestive Health Day

30th May – Mothers Day

30th May – World MS Day

31st May – World No Tobacco Day

I hope this list of special awareness days for May help inspire some fresh content. Are there any opportunities to share a funny/business/personal story that might resonate with your community and/or your ideal customer?

Content made easy

If you would like further help in planning your content for Instagram for the month, take a look at my Content Power Hour. An outcome driven 121 session or series of sessions where you’ll go away with an armful of inspiration and ideas and a plan to follow.

If you have questions, please do get in touch.

Wishing you a great month!
Sarah x