Celebrating Worker’s Struggles and Victories
May Day, or International Workers’ Day, has been a global day of protest, solidarity, and celebration of workers’ rights since 1886. It began with the fight for an eight-hour workday, culminating in the Haymarket Affair in Chicago. Since then, working people around the world have gathered on May 1st to honour past struggles and continue the fight for fair wages, safe workplaces, and social justice.
In South Australia, the SA May Day Collective is a volunteer group committed to keeping this proud tradition alive. Every year, we organise events to bring together unionists, activists, and families to celebrate our collective strength and advocate for a fairer future.
SA May Day – 2026 Events
May Day Dinner
📅 1st May
📍 Cypriot Hall
Join us for the annual May Day Dinner, an evening of solidarity, great food, and inspiring speakers. This is a chance for unionists and community members to come together to reflect on the past year and look ahead to the challenges and victories to come.
May Day March & Family Fun Day
📅 10:00am 2nd May
📍 VICTORIA SQUARE
Join workers from across South Australia as we take to the streets to celebrate solidarity and working-class power.
Bring your banners, bring your family, and let’s rally together for a better future!
MARCH ROUTE TBA
Lead the March: Banner Design Competition 2026
On May Day the streets belong to workers. The far-right is attempting to fracture our movement with the politics of hate, we will answer with the only force they fear, Solidarity.
The SA May Day Collective is seeking a design for the lead walking banner of the 2026 May Day March. We need a banner that captures our power, our history, and our refusal to be divided.
This year the theme is ‘Unity over Division’.
1st Prize is $1500
The winning design will be printed on a massive banner (3000mm wide x 1000mm tall) to lead thousands of comrades when we march on May 2nd!
Ready to make your mark on our state’s history? Submit your design via our form now.
Honouring Union Legends:
The May Day Awards
Each year, the SA May Day Collective recognises individuals who have made a significant contribution to the workers’ movement. Nominations are now open for:
🏆 The Spanner Award – Celebrating a lifelong commitment to working people and the May Day Collective. This award honours those who have dedicated their lives to the fight for workers’ rights.
🔥 The Trailblazer Award – Recognising rank-and-file unionists who have never been employed by a union but have been instrumental in their workplace and community activism.
