Italy Holiday Calendar
The Italy holiday calendar shows Italy’s national holidays. Click on each link for more information about the holiday in Italy, the Italian traditions, and the way Italians celebrate the holiday today.
1 January – New Year’s Day (Capodanno)
Description: A national public holiday marking the start of the new year, celebrated with fireworks, parties, and family gatherings the night before.
Celebrations today: Italians recover from New Year’s Eve festivities; many enjoy a quiet family lunch or short trips. Traditional foods include lentils for good luck.
Museums: Most are closed.
Shopping: Most shops are closed.
Restaurants: Many closed (family day), but some in tourist areas open with special menus; book ahead.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Mostly closed.
We’ve spend several New Year’s holidays in Italy. For more about information click Italy New Year’s traditions.
6 January – Epiphany (La Befana)
Description: A national public holiday commemorating the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus; also tied to the folklore of La Befana, a witch who delivers gifts or coal to children.
Celebrations today: Children receive stockings with sweets (or coal-shaped candy if naughty); parades and markets in many towns, especially in Rome (Piazza Navona).
Museums: Many are closed or have reduced hours.
Shopping: Most shops are closed.
Restaurants: Many open, especially for family lunches.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Mostly closed or reduced hours.
Click the Epihany in Italy for more information about this holiday.
February 16 – March 5: Venice Carnevale
Description: Not a public holiday but a famous pre-Lent festival in Venice featuring elaborate masks, costumes, and events (2019 dates: officially started February 16 with water parades and ended March 5 with Mardi Gras celebrations).
Celebrations today: Masked balls, parades, street performances, and photo opportunities in St. Mark’s Square; attracts millions of visitors.
Museums: Generally open (often busier due to tourists).
Shopping: Shops are open, with many selling masks and costumes.
Restaurants: All open and very busy; reservations recommended.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Open normally.
Click Venice Carnevale for more information this famous celebration.
19 April – Good Friday (Venerdì Santo)
Description: A solemn Christian observance (not a public holiday in Italy) commemorating Jesus’ crucifixion, with processions and reenactments.
Celebrations today: Torchlit processions (famous in many southern towns) and church services; no masses are held during the day.
Museums: Generally open (normal hours).
Shopping: Shops are open (normal hours).
Restaurants: Open normally.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Open normally.
21 April – Easter Day (Pasqua)
Description: A national public holiday celebrating Jesus’ resurrection; one of Italy’s most important religious days.
Celebrations today: Family feasts with roasted lamb, chocolate eggs, and colomba (dove-shaped cake); church services and parades.
Museums: Most are closed.
Shopping: Most shops are closed.
Restaurants: Many open with special Easter menus (family-oriented); book well in advance.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Mostly closed.
For more information click Good Friday and Easter in Italy.
22 April – Easter Monday (Pasquetta or Lunedì dell’Angelo)
Description: A national public holiday, traditionally for picnics and outings (“little Easter”).
Celebrations today: Italians head outdoors for barbecues or day trips; visits to cultural sites are common.
Museums: Many are open (including some normally closed on Mondays).
Shopping: Some shops open in tourist areas; many closed.
Restaurants: Many open, popular for outings and lunches.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Some open (especially in cities/tourist areas); many closed or reduced hours.
To learn more about this lovely holiday click Easter Monday in Italy.
25 April – Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)
Description: A national public holiday commemorating the end of Nazi occupation and the Italian Resistance’s role in WWII (1945).
Celebrations today: Official ceremonies, parades, and concerts; wreath-laying at war memorials.
Museums: Most are open (often free entry at state sites).
Shopping: Many shops open, especially in cities.
Restaurants: Generally open.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Many open or reduced hours.
1 May – Labor Day / May Day (Festa del Lavoro)
Description: A national public holiday honoring workers’ rights.
Celebrations today: Large concerts (especially in Rome), parades, and picnics; political rallies common.
Museums: Many closed or reduced hours.
Shopping: Most shops closed.
Restaurants: Many open for outings.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Mostly closed or limited hours.
Restaurants: Generally open.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Mostly closed or limited hours.
2 June – Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)
Description: A national public holiday marking the 1946 referendum that ended the monarchy and established the Italian Republic.
Celebrations today: Military parade in Rome, flyovers by the Frecce Tricolori, and open gardens at the Quirinal Palace.
Museums: Most are open.
Shopping: Many shops open.
Restaurants: Generally open.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Many open.
15 August – Ferragosto / Assumption of Mary
Description: A national public holiday celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary; roots in ancient Roman summer festivals.
Celebrations today: Peak of summer vacations—beaches, picnics, fireworks; many Italians travel. Cities can feel empty.
Museums: Many remain open (good time for quieter visits in cities).
Shopping: Most shops closed (especially in smaller towns).
Restaurants: Many open (busy at beaches/resorts); some family-run closed.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Some larger chains open (reduced hours); many closed.
1 November – All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti or Tutti i Santi)
Description: A national public holiday honoring all saints; often linked to remembering the dead (All Souls’ Day on November 2 is not a holiday).
Celebrations today: Visits to cemeteries with flowers; family gatherings.
Museums: Some closed or reduced hours.
Shopping: Most shops closed.
Restaurants: Many open.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Mostly closed.
For more information click All Saints Day In Italy.
8 December – Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Description: A national public holiday celebrating Mary’s conception without sin; marks the start of the Christmas season.
Celebrations today: Christmas lights/markets open; tree decorations and nativity scenes set up.
Museums: Many open (including some normally closed Mondays).
Shopping: Shops often open for holiday shopping.
Restaurants: Generally open.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Many open or reduced hours.
25 December – Christmas Day (Natale)
Description: A national public holiday celebrating Jesus’ birth.
Celebrations today: Family feasts (often fish on Christmas Eve, meat on the day); gift-giving and midnight mass.
Museums: Most are closed.
Shopping: Shops closed.
Restaurants: Many closed (family day); some in tourist areas/hotels open with special menus—reserve early.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Closed.
26 December – St. Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano)
Description: A national public holiday honoring the first Christian martyr; extends Christmas celebrations.
Celebrations today: Continued family time; living nativity scenes in some towns.
Museums: Many open.
Shopping: Some shops open in tourist areas.
Restaurants: More open than Christmas Day; some with special menus.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Some open in larger cities/tourist areas.
31 December – New Year’s Eve (Vigilia di Capodanno or San Silvestro)
Description: Not a public holiday, but widely celebrated with dinners and fireworks.
Celebrations today: Lavish “cenone” feasts, parties, and midnight toasts; fireworks in major squares.
Museums: Generally open (normal or reduced hours).
Shopping: Shops open (often shorter hours for preparations).
Restaurants: Many open with special New Year’s Eve dinners—book far ahead.
Grocery stores/supermarkets: Open (may close early).
For more information about celebrating click New Year’s Eve holiday in Italy.