When is First of May?
In 2026, First of May falls on Friday, May 1, 2026. It is classified here as a Swedish public holiday.
History of First of May
First of May, Första maj, belongs to the international workers’ movement and the campaigns for fair hours, democratic participation and social protections that shaped nineteenth- and twentieth-century Europe. In Sweden, it became a powerful public stage for trade unions and political parties, particularly within the labour movement.
The date is one of Sweden’s statutory public holidays. Demonstrations, speeches and music still take place in many cities, while others simply enjoy a day off following Valborg. That combination makes May 1 both civic and seasonal: a public conversation about work, held in the first full light of Scandinavian spring.
Sweden’s organised labour movement held its first nationwide May Day demonstrations in 1890, centred on demands including an eight-hour day. Yet Första maj also overlays older seasonal practices: outings ‘to go maying’, greenery, student song and the opening of the agricultural summer half-year. ISOF therefore calls it Sweden’s first secular public holiday. Its statutory place is fixed on May 1, immediately after Valborg but legally separate from it. Weekend coincidence creates no automatic Monday substitute under the Public Holidays Act.
How First of May is observed
A nationwide public holiday. Public offices close; labour rallies, speeches and outdoor spring events are common in larger towns and cities. The legal holiday remains May 1 even on Saturday or Sunday; collective agreements may contain other working-time provisions, but no general Monday transfer applies.
Traditions of First of May
Family time
Families use the public holiday break for a shared meal, visits and a slower rhythm away from the ordinary week. Swedish demonstration marches coexist with older ‘maja’ picnics, student spring songs and modern farm-opening events.
Local programmes
Churches, museums, municipalities and cultural organisations may arrange services, concerts or public events. Swedish demonstration marches coexist with older ‘maja’ picnics, student spring songs and modern farm-opening events.
Holiday timetables
Public offices close and transport, shops and visitor services may operate on reduced or special schedules. Swedish demonstration marches coexist with older ‘maja’ picnics, student spring songs and modern farm-opening events.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Swedish government and labour-law guidance. Employer, school and local-service schedules can differ from the statutory public-holiday calendar.
History sources: The Riksdag: Act on public holidays (1989:253), Government Offices of Sweden: public holidays in Sweden, Government Offices of Sweden: official flag-flying days, Institute for Language and Folklore: First of May, Swedish Labour Movement Archives and Library.
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