Public Holidays in Italy: The Complete 2026 Guide
All 11 national holidays, regional feast days, and everything you need to know
5 min
Overview: Italy's 11 National Holidays
Italy has 11 national public holidays (giorni festivi) in 2026, making it one of the most generous countries in Europe for days off. These holidays are established by law and apply to all workers across the country, regardless of their employment contract or region.
The 11 national holidays are: New Year's Day (January 1), Epiphany (January 6), Easter Monday (April 6), Liberation Day (April 25), Labour Day (May 1), Republic Day (June 2), Assumption of Mary / Ferragosto (August 15), All Saints' Day (November 1), Immaculate Conception (December 8), Christmas Day (December 25), and St. Stephen's Day (December 26).
In addition to these national holidays, each Italian city has its own patron saint's day (festa del patrono) which is a local public holiday. For example, Rome celebrates Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, Milan celebrates St. Ambrose on December 7, and Florence celebrates St. John the Baptist on June 24.
Month-by-Month Holiday Calendar
- January: New Year's Day (Jan 1, Thursday) and Epiphany (Jan 6, Tuesday) — two holidays in the first week, excellent for bridge days
- February: No national holidays
- March: No national holidays
- April: Easter Monday/Pasquetta (Apr 6) and Liberation Day (Apr 25, Saturday) — Pasquetta extends Easter naturally
- May: Labour Day (May 1, Friday) — a perfect long weekend without using leave
- June: Republic Day (Jun 2, Tuesday) — classic bridge day opportunity with Monday off
- July: No national holidays
- August: Ferragosto (Aug 15, Saturday) — the heart of Italian summer holidays
- September: No national holidays
- October: No national holidays
- November: All Saints' Day (Nov 1, Sunday) — falls on a weekend in 2026
- December: Immaculate Conception (Dec 8, Tuesday), Christmas (Dec 25, Friday), St. Stephen's Day (Dec 26, Saturday) — the richest month for holidays
Ferragosto: Italy's Sacred Summer Holiday
Ferragosto on August 15 is much more than a regular public holiday — it is the centerpiece of Italian summer culture. The holiday has ancient Roman origins (Feriae Augusti, established by Emperor Augustus in 18 BC) and marks the peak of the Italian vacation season.
Most Italian businesses close for at least a week around Ferragosto, and many shut down for the entire second half of August. In major cities, you will find deserted streets, closed neighborhood shops, and a distinctly different atmosphere. Italians flock to the coast, the mountains, or the countryside.
For tourists, Ferragosto week means extremely crowded beaches and resorts, higher accommodation prices, and fully booked restaurants in coastal areas. However, cities like Rome, Florence, and Milan can be surprisingly pleasant — quieter than usual, with shorter lines at major attractions, though some smaller shops and restaurants will be closed.
Regional Holidays: Patron Saint Days
Beyond the 11 national holidays, every Italian municipality celebrates its patron saint's day as a local public holiday. On this day, local businesses may close, and festivities including processions, markets, and fireworks take place throughout the city.
Some of the most notable patron saint days include: Rome — Saints Peter and Paul (June 29), Milan — St. Ambrose (December 7, conveniently the day before the Immaculate Conception holiday), Naples — San Gennaro (September 19, with the famous blood liquefaction miracle), Florence — St. John the Baptist (June 24), Venice — St. Mark (April 25, coinciding with Liberation Day), Turin — St. John the Baptist (June 24), Bologna — St. Petronius (October 4), Palermo — Santa Rosalia (July 15).
These patron saint days are important to be aware of when planning travel, as they can affect shop opening hours and public services in specific cities.
Shops, Banks & Services on Italian Holidays
On national holidays in Italy, banks and post offices are always closed. Government offices are also closed. Most small shops and family businesses close, though this has become less strict in recent years, especially in tourist areas.
Large supermarkets and shopping centers are increasingly open on holidays, though often with reduced hours (typically 9:00-13:00 or 10:00-20:00). However, there are notable exceptions: Christmas Day and New Year's Day see near-universal closures, and Ferragosto closures are widespread.
Pharmacies operate on a rotation system, so there is always at least one open pharmacy (farmacia di turno) in each area. You can find the nearest open pharmacy on the door of any closed pharmacy or by calling the local emergency number.
Restaurants in tourist areas generally remain open on holidays and may even be busier than usual. In residential neighborhoods, however, many restaurants close on major holidays, especially at lunch.
Tips for Tourists Visiting Italy
Plan your itinerary around Italian holidays to avoid disappointment. The Epiphany (January 6) and Liberation Day (April 25) are often overlooked by foreign tourists but cause significant closures. If you are visiting in August, avoid the week of Ferragosto (August 10-20) for city sightseeing, as many restaurants and shops will be closed. Conversely, this is when you will find the biggest crowds at beach resorts. When a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, expect many Italians to "fare il ponte" (take the bridge day off). This means Monday or Friday may see reduced services even though it is technically a workday. Always check your specific city's patron saint day before visiting. In Milan, December 7 (St. Ambrose) combined with December 8 (Immaculate Conception) creates a powerful two-day closure that surprises many visitors. Public transport in Italy runs on holiday schedules on all public holidays, which typically means reduced frequency, especially in smaller cities. In Rome and Milan, metro services usually continue but with Sunday-level frequency.