Italy Public Holidays
Italy Public Holidays
Searching for the national holidays in Italy? All public holidays in Italy are treated like Sundays. This means that most of the Italy employees have a day off and all schools are closed on these office holidays. If you are planning a trip to Italy and want to know what the national and regional holidays are, check the details in the tables below.
Italy is a country deeply rooted in history, culture, and tradition, and this is reflected in its public holidays. These holidays include a mix of religious, national, and regional celebrations, each offering an opportunity for Italians to come together, celebrate their heritage, and observe significant historical and religious events. In Italy, many holidays are linked to the Catholic Church, reflecting the country’s deep Christian heritage, while others commemorate important milestones in Italy’s history, such as its unification and republic.
National Public Holidays in Italy
New Year’s Day (Capodanno)
Date: January 1st
According to findjobdescriptions.com, New Year’s Day, known as Capodanno in Italy, is one of the most celebrated holidays across the country. Italians ring in the new year with parties, fireworks, and family gatherings, and January 1st is a day of rest and reflection.
Significance
- New beginnings: New Year’s Day marks the start of a new year and is a time for Italians to reflect on the past year while making resolutions for the future.
- Religious significance: For Catholics, January 1st is also the Feast of the Solemnity of Mary, the Holy Mother of God, a key religious observance.
Celebrations
- Fireworks and parties: Italians celebrate the night before with fireworks, concerts, and family feasts that include traditional foods like lenticchie (lentils) and cotechino (a type of sausage). Lentils are eaten for good luck and prosperity in the coming year.
- Relaxation and family time: On New Year’s Day, families typically rest, and many attend Mass to start the year on a spiritual note.
Epiphany (La Befana)
Date: January 6th
Epiphany, known as La Befana, is a significant religious and cultural holiday in Italy. It commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to the infant Jesus and also celebrates the traditional Italian folklore figure, Befana, an old woman who delivers gifts to children.
Religious and Cultural Significance
- Religious importance: Epiphany marks the official end of the Christmas season in Italy, celebrating the revelation of Christ to the Gentiles.
- The legend of Befana: According to Italian folklore, La Befana is an old witch-like woman who flies on a broomstick, delivering gifts to well-behaved children and coal to those who have been naughty.
Celebrations
- Gift-giving: Similar to Santa Claus, La Befana brings sweets, fruits, and small gifts to children. In return, children often leave out wine and food for her.
- Festivities: In some towns and cities, there are parades, processions, and reenactments of the arrival of the Magi. Urban centers like Rome and Florence host large public events in celebration of the Epiphany.
Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)
Date: April 25th
Liberation Day is a national holiday commemorating Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation and the end of World War II in 1945. It is an important day of remembrance and national pride.
Significance
- End of Nazi occupation: Liberation Day marks the official end of Fascism in Italy and the liberation of Italian territories by the Allied forces and Italian resistance fighters.
- Historical importance: The day honors those who fought in the resistance and those who lost their lives during the war.
Observance
- Ceremonies and parades: Across Italy, there are official ceremonies, speeches, and parades to honor the resistance fighters, particularly in cities like Milan and Rome, which were key to the liberation efforts.
- Political significance: It is also a day for reflection on Italy’s democratic values and freedom, with many political gatherings emphasizing the importance of the republic and anti-fascism.
Labour Day (Festa dei Lavoratori)
Date: May 1st
Labour Day in Italy, known as Festa dei Lavoratori, is a day dedicated to workers and their contributions to the nation’s development. It is a global celebration, with its roots in the labor movements of the late 19th century.
Significance
- Workers’ rights: Labour Day celebrates the achievements of the labor movement, including the fight for better working conditions, fair wages, and workers’ rights.
- International observance: Italy joins many other countries in observing this holiday, highlighting the solidarity of workers worldwide.
Celebrations
- Concerts and festivals: One of the largest events is the Concerto del Primo Maggio in Rome, a massive free concert that draws thousands of people and features a lineup of popular Italian musicians.
- Union demonstrations: Labour unions often organize marches and rallies to advocate for workers’ rights and raise awareness about labor issues.
Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)
Date: June 2nd
Republic Day celebrates the birth of the Italian Republic, following a referendum held on June 2, 1946, in which Italians voted to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic.
Historical Significance
- End of the monarchy: The 1946 referendum marked a major turning point in Italy’s history, ending centuries of monarchy and establishing Italy as a democratic republic.
- National pride: Republic Day is a day for Italians to celebrate their democracy and national unity.
Celebrations
- Military parade: In Rome, Republic Day is marked by a large military parade down Via dei Fori Imperiali, in front of the President of the Republic and other government officials. The parade showcases Italy’s military strength and honors the nation’s history.
- Wreath-laying ceremony: A wreath is laid at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Rome to honor those who died fighting for Italy’s freedom.
- Air show: The Italian Air Force performs an aerial display with the Frecce Tricolori, leaving behind trails of green, white, and red, representing the Italian flag.
Assumption of the Virgin Mary (Ferragosto)
Date: August 15th
Ferragosto is a major public holiday in Italy, blending the religious celebration of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary with ancient Roman traditions celebrating the harvest and summer.
Religious and Cultural Significance
- Assumption of Mary: For Catholics, this day commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was taken up into heaven, body and soul.
- Ancient roots: Ferragosto dates back to Roman times, when Emperor Augustus established it as a day of rest and celebration after the harvest.
Celebrations
- Mass and processions: Many Italians attend special Masses and participate in processions dedicated to the Virgin Mary. In some regions, particularly southern Italy, the holiday is marked by religious parades.
- Vacation and leisure: Ferragosto is also synonymous with summer vacation in Italy. Italians take time off to go to the beach, countryside, or mountains, making this one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Religious Public Holidays in Italy
Easter Sunday (Pasqua)
Date: Varies (March or April)
Easter Sunday, or Pasqua, is one of the most important religious holidays in Italy, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a day of religious significance, family gatherings, and joyful celebration.
Religious Significance
- Resurrection of Christ: Pasqua celebrates the central event of Christian faith—the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after his crucifixion.
- Catholic tradition: As a predominantly Catholic country, Easter holds profound meaning for Italians, and many observe religious services throughout Holy Week.
Celebrations
- Religious services: On Easter Sunday, Italians attend church services, with many going to their local parish or to large gatherings in cities like Rome, where the Pope delivers a special Easter blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica.
- Family gatherings: Easter is a time for families to come together and share a meal, often featuring traditional foods like lamb, colomba (a dove-shaped cake), and eggs.
Easter Monday (La Pasquetta)
Date: The day after Easter Sunday
Easter Monday, known as La Pasquetta, is a public holiday in Italy dedicated to enjoying time with family and friends in a more casual and festive way than the solemnity of Easter Sunday.
Cultural Significance
- Continuing the Easter celebration: Pasquetta is a day to relax, often involving outings to the countryside, parks, or the beach, continuing the celebration of Easter in a lighter, more social manner.
- Historical roots: The holiday is thought to originate from the events following the resurrection of Jesus when He appeared to His disciples.
Celebrations
- Picnics and outdoor activities: Italians typically spend Easter Monday outdoors, enjoying picnics, hikes, or barbecues with friends and family.
- Festivals: In some towns and villages, local festivals and markets are held, providing an opportunity for communities to come together in celebration.
All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti)
Date: November 1st
All Saints’ Day, known as Ognissanti, is a religious holiday dedicated to honoring all the saints of the Catholic Church, both known and unknown.
Religious Significance
- Celebration of saints: The day is an opportunity for Catholics to remember and honor saints, particularly those who do not have a specific feast day in the liturgical calendar.
- Reflection on faith: All Saints’ Day is also a time for Italians to reflect on their faith and the virtues of the saints.
