Discover the calendar of Italian public holidays for 2026Plan your getaways, avoid unexpected closures, and make the most of the long weekends to explore the peninsula. You’ll also find the surprising explanation for the absence of Ascension Day on the calendar.
Italy lives to the rhythm of its holidays, a unique blend of religious tradition and civil history. In 2026, its calendar offers a perfect balance between long weekends and authentic celebrations. Here is your essential guide to navigating Italian public holidays, discovering strategic “ponti” (holidays), and understanding a peculiarity that often intrigues French visitors.
📅 The Official Calendar: The 12 Italian Public Holidays of 2026
Here is the complete list of public holidays throughout Italy. Note that several fall on a weekend, which may affect long weekend planning.
Trick : 🔄 Tilt your phone to read the tables more easily.
| Date | Day | Name in French | Local name (Italian) | Nature |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January 1 | THURSDAY | New Year’s Day | Capodano | Civil |
| January 6 | Tuesday | Epiphany | Epifania | Religious |
| April 5 | Sunday | Easter | Pasqua | Religious |
| April 6 | Monday | Angel Monday (Easter Monday) | Monday of the Angel | Religious |
| April 25 | SATURDAY | Liberation Day | Liberation Day | Civil |
| May 1 | Friday | Labor Day | Festa dei Lavoratori | Civil |
| June 2 | Tuesday | Republic Day | Republic Day | Civil |
| August 15 | SATURDAY | Assumption (Ferragosto) | Ferragosto | Religious |
| November 1 | Sunday | All Saints | Ognissanti | Religious |
| December 8 | Tuesday | Immaculate Conception | Immacolata Concezione | Religious |
| December 25 | Friday | Christmas | Natale | Religious |
| December 26 | SATURDAY | Saint-Étienne | Santo Stefano | Religious |
To note Easter and All Saints’ Day falling on a Sunday, they do not offer a long weekend in themselves but are integrated into the festive calendar.
🌉 The Art of the “Bridge”: The Best Long Weekends of 2026 Thanks to Bridges
The Italians are masters in the art of creating the “ponte” (The bridge) by taking just one day off between a public holiday and a weekend. Here are the opportunities to seize.
- The Great April Bridge : With the Easter Monday, April 6Take Friday the 3rd for a long 4-day weekend, perfect for a first spring break.
- The Mega Spring Bridge This is the best opportunity of the year. Liberation Day (April 25, Saturday) and the Labor Day (May 1st, Friday) are separated by only 4 working days. By taking the leave from Monday 27th to Thursday 30th April, you get 9 consecutive days of vacation for an unforgettable road trip.
- Summer and Winter Bank Holidays :
- Republic Day (June 2, Tuesday) : Take Monday, June 1st for a 4-day weekend at the beginning of summer.
- Immaculate Conception (December 8, Tuesday) : By taking Monday the 7th off, you can enjoy a 4-day break to explore the Christmas markets.
🤔 Why is Ascension Day not a public holiday in Italy?
If you look up Ascension Thursday on the Italian calendar, you won’t find it as a national holiday. This difference with France stems from a political decision made decades ago.
In the 1970s, the Italian state undertook a reform to streamline the calendar of public holidays, primarily driven by economic and work organization concerns. A law was thus passed removed several religious holidays from the official civil calendar to reduce their number.
Among the holidays removed were the Ascension (Ascent), Corpus Christi (Corpus Domini), Saint Joseph’s Day, and the feast of Saints Peter and Paul. While Republic Day was later reinstated, Ascension Day never regained its status as a national holiday.
This does not mean that the festival has disappeared.Ascension remains an important solemnity in the Catholic liturgical calendar and is celebrated during Mass. It is simply celebrated on a Thursday worked, and not unemployed.
💡 Essential Tips for Smart Travel
- Anticipate the Large Influx The long weekends, especially the April-May one, and the period of Ferragosto Mid-August is the busiest time. Italians travel in droves. Book transport and accommodation several months in advance.
- Don’t neglect local festivals Each town and village celebrates its patron saint. These days are often local holidays and are synonymous with processions, markets, or fireworks. For example, Rome celebrates its patron saints. Peter and Paul on June 29thand Genoa celebrates its patron Saint John on June 24th.
- Plan for closures On January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th, most museums, monuments, and shops are closed. On other public holidays, opening hours may be reduced. Checking the official website of the place you wish to visit is always a good idea.
With this calendar in your pocket, you’re ready to experience Italy at the rhythm of its traditions. Whether it’s to enjoy the excitement of a layingWhether you want to discover the fervor of a local festival or simply savor la dolce vita on a day off, you’ll have an authentic experience. Buon viaggio!
Looking for a change of scenery and an Andalusian atmosphere? Read this article about… Public holidays in Andalusia in 2026 :
Sources for this article: https://www.calendariando.it/2026.asp
