In May, we celebrate the changing of the seasons. The sun is shining and it is much warmer during the day. 
The days are longer and people are enjoying beer and “gemütlichkeit” in the beer gardens.

On the 1st of May (Mayday and also Tag der Arbeit), in most small towns, people will come together to put up the Maypole. Most will wear traditional clothes for the event. It is a tradition in smaller villages to steal each other’s poles. To get the Maypole back, the town has to pay a hefty ransom (mostly beer). Once the Maypole is up, the music, dancing, and feasting can begin.
The tradition of putting up a Maypole dates back to the 16th century. Other traditions include dancing or  “Tanz in den Mai”,  “Maisprung” or May Jump where the brave jump over bonfires at midnight.
Because it is also Workers Day, you can expect trade union marches.

In South Africa and Germany, Mother’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in May.

Father’s Day is celebrated in June in South Africa but in Germany, it is celebrated on Ascension Day (Hemelvaart/Christi Himmelfahrt) and thus falls on a public holiday. Ascension Day is always on a Thursday.

Many of the public swimming facilities (Freibad) will open. Other swimming options are to swim in the ocean, a Baggersee, or a lake.