Wait, How Many Bank Holidays Are There in May 2023? Let Me Break It Down for You

Hello everyone, I am your dedicated public holiday assistant. Recently, a little friend consulted me about how many bank holidays in May 2023. Now I will summarize the relevant problems, hoping to help the little friends who want to know.

Alright, so you’re planning your May 2023 schedule—maybe trying to book a vacation, figure out when the banks are closed, or just curious about days off. I get it. Holidays can be confusing, especially when different places call them different things. In the US, we usually talk about “federal holidays” rather than “bank holidays,” but the idea’s the same: these are days when most banks, government offices, and schools shut down. So for May 2023, let’s cut to the chase: there is exactly one bank holiday in May 2023 across the United States, and that’s Memorial Day, which falls on Monday, May 29. Yup, just one. But wait—don’t close this tab yet. There’s a lot more to unpack here, like what that means for your plans, whether any other days might be considered holidays, and how it compares to other months. Stick with me, and I’ll walk you through it all.

Questions related to how many bank holidays in May 2023

So, first off, let’s talk about why there’s only one. In the US, the federal government has ten official holidays each year. May only gets one: Memorial Day. But some people think there might be others, like May Day (May 1) or Cinco de Mayo (May 5). Nope, those aren’t federal holidays. Banks and government offices stay open on those days. Memorial Day is the big one—it’s the unofficial start of summer, so a lot of folks treat it like a three-day weekend. But here’s the thing: even though it’s a federal holiday, not all banks observe it exactly? Actually, most do. The Federal Reserve is closed, and so are most major banks. So if you need to deposit a check or handle any banking business, plan ahead for that Monday to be a day off. Also, note that Memorial Day is always on the last Monday of May, which in 2023 is the 29th.

Another common question: what about state-level holidays? Some states have extra holidays in May. For example, in California, there’s no extra May holiday. But in Texas, they celebrate Texas Independence Day in March, not May. In Massachusetts, Patriots’ Day is in April. So for May, it’s pretty much just Memorial Day across the board. However, if you work for a state government or a local bank, they might observe “Memorial Day” as a paid day off. Private companies vary—some give it, some don’t. But from a “bank holiday” standpoint, meaning days when banks are closed by law or custom, it’s just that one.

Now, what about the UK? The term “bank holiday” actually comes from the UK, and in England and Wales, May 2023 has two: May 1 (Early May Bank Holiday) and May 29 (Spring Bank Holiday). But since you asked in American colloquial language, I’m assuming you’re asking about the US. If you meant UK, then the answer is two. Just to be thorough, I’ll mention it: in the US, we have one federal holiday in May; in the UK, they have two.

Let me also clear up a confusion: sometimes people think “bank holidays” include days like Martin Luther King Jr. Day (January) or Presidents’ Day (February) or even Veterans Day (November). But in May, the only federal holiday is Memorial Day. So if you’re tallying up your days off from work, check your employer’s policy. Federal employees get Memorial Day off. Many private sector workers also get it, but not always. And if you’re a student? Depends on the school district—usually yes, they’re off.

To give you a full picture, here are all the US federal holidays in 2023, so you can see May’s lonely spot: New Year’s Day (Jan 1, observed Jan 2), Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan 16), Presidents’ Day (Feb 20), Memorial Day (May 29), Juneteenth (June 19), Independence Day (July 4), Labor Day (Sept 4), Columbus Day (Oct 9), Veterans Day (Nov 11, observed Nov 10), Thanksgiving (Nov 23), and Christmas (Dec 25). That’s it. So in May, just the one.

One more thing: what if you’re working in the financial sector? Actually, the Federal Reserve Board also closes for Good Friday (April 7 in 2023) and the day after Thanksgiving (Nov 24). But those aren’t in May. So no extra closures. The New York Stock Exchange also closes for Memorial Day, so if you’re trading, mark your calendar.

Alright, I know you might be looking for a list or a quick answer, so here it is: Only one bank holiday in May 2023 in the United States: Monday, May 29 – Memorial Day. That’s it. If you were hoping for more, sorry. But hey, at least you can plan your cookout or trip to the beach around that weekend.

If you’re in another country, let me know in the comments and I can help with that too. For now, I hope this clears up the confusion.

Public Holiday Calendar.COM thanks you for reading! I hope this article can help you fully understand how many bank holidays in May 2023. If you have more questions—like what about June? Or how do I check if my bank is closed?—please contact us. I’m always here to help you sort out holiday schedules. Happy planning!