May 1st – May Day (Tag der Arbeit) and Maypole Traditions

May begins with May Day (Tag der Arbeit) on the 1st of May, a public holiday in Germany. While trade unions organize marches and demonstrations in larger cities, many smaller towns celebrate with traditional Maypole (Maibaum) festivities. Villages come together to erect a beautifully decorated pole, often accompanied by locals wearing traditional Bavarian or regional attire. A fun and mischievous tradition in rural areas involves stealing the Maypole from neighbouring villages. To reclaim it, the town must pay a ransom—usually in beer, adding to the festive spirit. Once the Maypole is in place, the real celebration begins with music, dancing, and feasting.

The tradition of raising the Maypole dates back to the 16th century, and several customs are associated with this time. The night before, many people take part in “Tanz in den Mai” (Dance into May), an evening of parties and dancing to welcome the new month. Another old custom, the “Maisprung” (May Jump), sees the daring leap over bonfires at midnight, symbolizing renewal and good fortune.

Mother’s Day & Father’s Day in Germany

Like in South Africa, Mother’s Day (Muttertag) is celebrated on the second Sunday in May, a time when families express their appreciation with flowers, gifts, and special meals.

While Father’s Day (Vatertag) falls in June in South Africa, in Germany, it is celebrated on Ascension Day (Christi Himmelfahrt), a public holiday that always falls on a Thursday. On this day, it is common for groups of men to go on day-long outings, often with handcarts (Bollerwagen) full of beer, enjoying the countryside, beer gardens, or barbecues with friends.