Strategic Marketing Dates to Boost Your Business in May 2023

Amandine Liepmann is an expert-vetted, top 1% email marketer on Upwork. She's also the founder of LISTBURST Email Marketing.

As May approaches, businesses have the opportunity to leverage various marketing dates to engage their target audience, drive sales, and foster brand loyalty.

This month offers a plethora of events and occasions that can serve as effective marketing touch points. In this blog post, we will explore some strategic marketing dates to consider for May 2023, providing insights and ideas to help you plan successful campaigns and connect with your customers.

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May Day (May 1st):

Photo by Campaign Creators on Unsplash

May Day, also known as International Workers' Day, is a globally recognized holiday celebrating laborers and workers. Consider acknowledging the hard work of your employees or running promotions that cater to the working community. You can also emphasize the theme of gratitude and appreciation in your marketing messages to resonate with your target audience.

Mother's Day (May 14th in the US and various dates worldwide):

Mother's Day is a cherished occasion to honor mothers and mother figures. Craft campaigns that celebrate motherhood, offer special discounts on gifts, or provide ideas for memorable experiences with moms. Tailor your marketing efforts to evoke emotions of love, gratitude, and appreciation, targeting both individuals shopping for gifts and those planning family outings or experiences.

International Nurses Day (May 12th):

International Nurses Day is dedicated to recognizing the contributions of nurses worldwide. If your business is related to healthcare or wellness, consider highlighting the importance of nurses and their impact on society. Express your gratitude and appreciation through targeted campaigns or special offers for healthcare professionals.

Photo by Luke Jones on Unsplash

Star Wars Day (May 4th):

Photo by Artur Tumasjan on Unsplash

May the Fourth be with you! Star Wars Day has gained significant popularity in recent years. If your target audience includes Star Wars fans, embrace the Force and create engaging content, promotions, or themed products to cater to this passionate fan base. Consider running social media contests, sharing fan-generated content, or offering exclusive Star Wars-themed merchandise.

Memorial Day (May 29th in the US):

Photo by Dan Parlante on Unsplash

Memorial Day marks an important occasion to honor and remember military personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving their country. While keeping the significance of the day in mind, you can align your marketing efforts with patriotic themes or offer special promotions as a gesture of appreciation for veterans and active-duty military members. Consider partnering with local veterans' organizations to support a cause and amplify your message.

Graduation Season:

May is often synonymous with graduation season. Targeting students, parents, and educational institutions, you can create campaigns around graduation gifts, party supplies, or services that help ease the transition to the next stage of life. Consider offering discounts or exclusive packages for graduation-related items or partnering with schools and universities for joint promotions.

Photo by RUT MIIT on Unsplash

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Full List of Holidays for May: 

Daily holidays and observances in May 2023

May 1

• Great Lakes Awareness Day
• Learn to Ride a Bike Day
• May Day
• National Chocolate Parfait Day
• School Principals’ Day

May 2

• International Harry Potter Day
• National Brothers and Sisters Day
• National Fitness Day
• National Foster Care Day
• National Play Your Ukulele Day
• National Truffle Day
• National Teacher Appreciation Day
• World Asthma Day

May 3

• Bike to School Day
• International Wild Koala Day
• National Anxiety Disorders Screening Day
• National Chocolate Custard Day
• National Garden Meditation Day
• National Public Radio Day
• National Textile Day

May 4

• International Firefighters Day
• National Orange Juice Day
• Star Wars Day

May 5

• Cinco de Mayo
• Museum Lover’s Day
• National Astronaut Day
• National Hoagie Day
• Sleep Apnea Awareness Day

May 6

• National Herb Day
• National Nurses Day
• National Scrapbooking Day
• National Wildfire Community Preparedness Day

May 7

• National Children’s Mental Health Awareness Day
• National Tourism Day
• Pilates Day
• World Laughter Day

May 8

• National Coconut Cream Pie Day
• National Give Someone a Cupcake Day
• National Meeting Planners Appreciation Day

May 9

• National Lost Sock Memorial Day
• National Sleepover Day

May 10

• National Clean Your Room Day
• National Golf Day
• National Receptionists Day
• National School Nurse Day
• National Small Business Day

May 11

• Make a Book Day
• National Foam Rolling Day

May 12

• Child Care Provider Day
• Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS) International Awareness
• National Hospital Day
• National Mental Health Provider Appreciation Day
• Public Gardens Day
• World Topiary Day

May 13

• Brunch for Lunch Day
• International Hummus Day
• National Apple Pie Day
• National Dog Mom’s Day
• National Fruit Cocktail Day
• National Miniature Golf Day
• National Train Day
• World Fair Trade Day 
• World Migratory Bird Day

May 14

• Bond With Your Dog Day
• International Chihuahua Appreciation Day
• Mother’s Day 

May 15

• Bring Flowers to Someone Day
• International Day of Families
• National Chocolate Chip Day
• Straw Hat Day

May 16

• National Barbecue Day
• National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day
• National Love a Tree Day
• National Sea Monkey Day
• Ride a Unicycle Day 

May 17

• International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
• National Cherry Cobbler Day
• National Mushroom Hunting Day
• National Walnut Day

May 18

• Ascension Day
• Global Accessibility Awareness Day
• National Cheese Soufflé Day
• National Notebook Day
• National Visit Your Relatives Day
• Send an Electronic Greeting Card Day

May 19

• NASCAR Day
• National Bike to Work Day
• National Devil’s Food Cake Day
• National Endangered Species Day
• National Pizza Party Day
• Plant Something Day
• Virtual Assistants Day
• World Family Doctor Day
• World Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Day

May 20

• Armed Forces Day
• National Learn to Swim Day
• National Pick Strawberries Day
• National Rescue Dog Day
• National River Cleanup Day
• National Women in Aerospace Day
• Plant a Lemon Tree Day
• World Bee Day

May 21

• Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day
• International Tea Day
• National Strawberries and Cream Day
• National Talk Like Yoda Day
• National Waitstaff Day
• Stepmother’s Day
• World Baking Day
• World Meditation Day

May 22

• Buy a Musical Instrument Day
• Harvey Milk Day
• National Craft Distillery Day
• National Solitaire Day

May 23

• National Lucky Penny Day
• National Taffy Day
• World Turtle Day 

May 24

• National Asparagus Day
• National Scavenger Hunt Day
• World Schizophrenia Awareness Day

May 25

• National Tap Dance Day
• National Wine Day
• Shavuot (sunset on May 25 - sunset on May 27)
• World Thyroid Day 

May 26

• National Blueberry Cheesecake Day
• National Heat Awareness Day
• National Paper Airplane Day
• National Road Trip Day
• Shavuot (sunset on May 25 - sunset on May 27)

May 27

• National Grape Popsicle Day
• National Italian Beef Day
• National Sunscreen Day
• Shavuot (sunset on May 25 - sunset on May 27)

May 28

• Amnesty International Day
• National Hamburger Day
• Whooping Crane Day
• World Hunger Day

May 29

• Memorial Day
• National Alligator Day
• National Snail Day

May 30

• National Creativity Day
• National Mint Julep Day
• National Water a Flower Day
• World Multiple Sclerosis Day

May 31

• National Macaroon Day
• National Senior Health and Fitness Day
• World Otter Day
• World Parrot Day 

Weekly Observances in May 2023 

• April 30 to May 6: National Small Business Week
• May 1 to 7: Be Kind to Animals Week, Dog Anxiety Awareness Week, Hurricane Preparedness Week
• May 2 to 8: Children’s Book Week
• May 6 to 12: National Nurses Week
• May 7 to 13: National Pet Week, National Travel and Tourism Week
• May 8 to 13: National Stuttering Awareness Week
• May 15 to 21: American Craft Beer Week, Bike to Work Week, National Vegetarian Week

Monthly Observances in May 2023

• American Cheese Month
• American Wetlands Month
• Arthritis Awareness Month
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• Better Sleep Month
• Bladder Cancer Awareness Month
• Borderline Personality Disorder Awareness Month
• Brain Cancer Awareness Month
• Building Safety Month
• Celiac Awareness Month
• Chip Your Pet Month
• Clean Air Month
• Family Wellness Month
• Fibromyalgia Education and Awareness Month
• Gardening for Wildlife Month
• Homeschool Awareness Month
• International Drum Month
• Jewish American Heritage Month
• Latino Books Month
• Lettuce Month
• Lupus Awareness Month
• Melanoma and Skin Cancer Awareness Month
• Mental Health Awareness Month
• Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
• National Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month
• National Asparagus Month
• National Barbecue Month
• National Bicycle Safety Month
• National Blood Pressure Month
• National Cancer Research Month
• National Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
• National Foster Care Month
• National Hamburger Month
• National Inventors Month
• National Lyme Disease Awareness Month
• National Meditation Month
• National Pet Month
• National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
• National Salad Month
• National Salsa Month
• National Strawberry Month
• National Tennis Month
• National Walking Month
• Pet Sitter Safety Month
• Small Business Month
• Tourette Syndrome Awareness Month (May 15 - June 15)