Travel

Photos Of May Day Celebrations Across Europe

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Men dance by the maypole at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury, Somerset, U.K., where Beltane is celebrated at sunrise and throughout the day on May 1, 2023. The word Beltane roughly translates as 'bright fire' and is an important ritual, which survives today as a Gaelic tradition, where a Beltane bonfire is lit. Seen as a purifier and healer, ancient people would have walked, danced and jumped over the fire, while farmers would also have driven their cattle between bonfires to cleanse and protect them before being put out into the fields. (Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images)

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Men dance by the maypole at the Chalice Well in Glastonbury, Somerset, U.K., where Beltane is celebrated at sunrise and throughout the day on May 1, 2023. The word Beltane roughly translates as 'bright fire' and is an important ritual, which survives today as a Gaelic tradition, where a Beltane bonfire is lit. Seen as a purifier and healer, ancient people would have walked, danced and jumped over the fire, while farmers would also have driven their cattle between bonfires to cleanse and protect them before being put out into the fields. (Ben Birchall/PA Images via Getty Images)

At a Glance

May Day occurs on May 1, and marks the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice.
The holiday is steeped in ancient tradition, and has been celebrated for thousands of years.

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Photos show May Day preparations and celebrations in Germany and England to mark the holiday on May 1, 2023.

The tradition marks the ancient celebration of the midpoint between the spring equinox and the summer solstice, according to the Old Farmer’s Almanac. The summer solstice (June 21), is often considered the first day of summer, however, meteorologically, the first day of summer is June 1.

The first May Day-like celebration dates back to about 500 B.C. and was a Roman celebration called Floralia, history.com reports. The holiday celebrated Flora, the goddess of flowers and fertility, as well as springtime and new life. The week-long holiday took place between late April and early May.

One of the most famous May Day traditions is the maypole, a tall pole adorned with colorful ribbons and flowers which revelers dance around, usually with the ribbons in hand, making a pattern as they wrap the ribbons around the pole. In ancient times, the maypole was often a living tree. Ancient Celts, who held May 1 as the most important day of the year, would pray around the maypole for a bountiful crop. The Celts held their holiday of Beltane on May 1, which was combined with Floralia when the Romans invaded Celtic Britain.

The day was rooted in agriculture, as it falls around the time that crops begin to sprout. Flowers were always a main decoration of the holiday, especially yellow flowers. It was also a tradition to “bring in the May,” or to bring May flowers into the home on May 1.

Many May Day celebrations involve the crowning of a May king and queen. Still another tradition is to make baskets and leave them full of sweets and flowers on neighbors’ and loved ones’ front stoops.

Click through the slideshow above to see images of May Day celebrations across Europe this year. It may give you some ideas for your own May Day celebration.

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Midnight sun in is seen above the clouds in North Cape, Norway. (Getty Images)

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1. Experience the Midnight Sun in Northern Norway
Midnight sun in is seen above the clouds in North Cape, Norway. (Getty Images)

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