HAPPY LABOR DAY WEEKEND TO ALL!
Some fun facts about Labor Day & who & how it is celebrated all over the world!
This weekend is Labor Day weekend in the U.S. this year. Labor Day 2025 falls on Monday, September 1, so the long weekend runs Saturday, August 30 through Monday, September 1.
As for who celebrates it â Americans arenât alone, but the September version is pretty rare.
United States & Canada both mark Labor Day (or Labour Day) on the first Monday in September.
Most of the world celebrates a similar workersâ holiday on May 1, known as International Workersâ Day or May Day. Over 100 countries â from France, Germany, and Brazil to India, South Africa, and Australia â observe it then. - The meaning is broadly similar everywhere: honoring the labor movement and the contributions of workers, though traditions and timing vary.
Hereâs some world information of âLabour Dayâ / âWorkersâ Dayâ dates so you can see how differently countries place it through the year12.
đ Region / Country đ
Date in 2025 đ Notes & Traditions
United States Mon, SeptâŻ1 Parades, barbecues, endâofâsummer celebrations
Canada Mon, SeptâŻ1 Similar to U.S., often marks backâtoâschool season
UK Mon, MayâŻ5 (Early May Bank Holiday) Mix of spring festivals & workersâ rights events
Most of Europe (France, Germany, Italy, Spain, etc.) Thu, MayâŻ1 Marches, rallies, concerts; rooted in labor movement
Australia Varies by state (e.g., OctâŻ6 in ACT, NSW, SA) Commemorates 8âhour workday movement
NewâŻZealand Mon, OctâŻ27 Public holiday with community events
China Thu, MayâŻ1 Part of a multiâday âGolden Weekâ holiday
Brazil Thu, MayâŻ1 Parades, concerts, political speeches
South Africa Thu, MayâŻ1 Public rallies, cultural performances
Japan No single âLabour Dayâ â has Labour Thanksgiving Day on NovâŻ23 Focus on gratitude for work and production
Russia Thu, MayâŻ1 (Spring and Labour Day) Parades, political gatherings
Finland AprâŻ30âMayâŻ1 (Vappu) Student cap ceremonies, champagne picnics, workersâ marches
Sweden AprâŻ30âMayâŻ1 (Valborg & May Day) Bonfires, choral singing, rallies
đĄ Pattern:
MayâŻ1 dominates globally â tied to the 19thâcentury labor movement and the Haymarket affair in Chicago.
September is mainly U.S. & Canada.
October/November dates appear in countries with their own labor history milestones.