May Day in Palermo?

It's international workers' day (Labor day), most places will be closed (museums, stores, etc.). It's a day where political rallies are held, usually organized by labor unions, in most major cities. I don't think there are mass migrations of vacationers, but if the weather is nice and warm most locals will head to the beach in Mondello or somewhere else nice for a family day trip.

Thanks Roberto!

I don't know what the restaurant situation will be in Palermo, but on May 1, 2014 my friend and I were driving around small towns near Agrigento. We had not made a reservation for lunch, and all the restaurants were full of families that had booked ahead, and so could not seat us without a reservation. We finally found one that was open only because they were celebrating a child's birthday (so they hadn't taken reservations). The food was mediocre, but the experience was fun. Dinner was at our agriturismo so it wasn't a problem, and so I don't know if the restaurants are also full for dinner on May 1.

Upshot of all this: look into making reservations for that day for meals, so you don't get shut out.

We were in Ortigia on May 1, 2015 and we did not notice anything different from April 30. No excessive crowds, no closures, no festivities. We did hear, though, that intercity buses in Sicily do not run on that day, so don't plan a day trip by bus.

Thanks Harold and Charlene! I hadn't thought about reservations for lunch or dinner so that is a valuable tip for me. I wondered if buses would be running or if they would be on a holiday schedule.

I had thought of attending a parade or other local celebration but then I realized I wouldn't be able to understand any of the speeches!