May Day: Britain’s Most Gloriously Confusing Day Off (Now with Added Nostalgia)

Ah, May Day Bank Holiday. That sacred moment when the UK collectively exhales, heads to the nearest patch of grass, and insists that 16°C is definitely sunbathing weather. It’s a hallowed British tradition—somewhere between a pagan celebration, a union rally, and an excuse to eat crisps outdoors.

Held on the first Monday of May, May Day brings with it a peculiar mix of history and hedonism. Originally a celebration of fertility and the arrival of spring, the day was once marked by Morris dancing, maypoles, and villagers frolicking around in flower crowns (some of whom were probably named things like Ethel or Reg). Today, those traditions hang on in small English towns, clinging to ribbons and relevance.

In 1978, the UK government gave the May Day holiday an official status—possibly as a political nod to workers, or more likely because Brits will accept any reason for a Monday off. It’s been a firm fixture ever since, even if no one’s entirely sure what they’re meant to be celebrating.

But this year, May Day 2025 has taken on an extra layer of poignancy. With the 80th anniversary of VE Day (Victory in Europe Day) just behind us, the nation has spent the past week steeped in reflections on peace, resilience, and the importance of not taking democratic life—or long weekends—for granted. The media has been awash with archival footage, Vera Lynn tributes, and stories from those who remember the end of the war. And while VE Day is officially marked on May 8th, its emotional resonance has spilled into the wider month, making this year’s May Bank Holiday feel a touch more reflective.

That said, this is still Britain—so even solemnity comes with snacks. Expect crowds in the parks, queues outside pubs, and determined BBQs in the drizzle. For our English language students in London, it’s the perfect cultural storm: a taste of history, a spot of sun (or rain), and the ideal time to practice your English by eavesdropping on debates about whether it’s “too early for Pimms” (it isn’t).

Whether you’re heading to a VE Day exhibition, taking part in a May Day parade, or simply enjoying a quiet lie-in, take a moment to soak it all in. The mix of old and new, solemn and silly, is what makes British culture so utterly charming and confusing.

So, from all of us at the school: Happy May Day! Don’t forget your umbrella. Or your sunscreen. Or your poppy badge.

Daniel Studholme