The Italian Holiday Calendar for 2025
by Adriana ruiz
Italy, a country rich in culture and tradition, celebrates many holidays throughout the year, blending national pride, religious significance, and local customs. For 2025, the Italian Holiday Calendar features 12 national holidays and several local celebrations unique to specific regions or cities. These holidays offer an opportunity to experience Italy’s vibrant heritage through religious ceremonies, parades, fireworks, and festive meals.
In 2025, careful planning around holiday dates can help maximize vacation days. With just 6 days off, you can enjoy 32 days of vacation, thanks to how holidays align with weekends and bridge days. Let’s dive into the details!
National Holidays
National holidays are observed across Italy, often closing schools, businesses, and public offices while transportation may operate on reduced schedules. Here’s the 2025 national holiday list with dates and highlights:
New Year’s Day (Capodanno)
• Date: January 1
• Celebration: Italians ring in the new year with parties, fireworks, and traditional dishes such as cotechino (pork sausage) and lentils, symbolizing prosperity.
Epiphany (Epifania)
• Dates: January 6 (Monday bridge, January 1–6)
• Celebration: Epiphany marks the visit of the three wise men to baby Jesus. Children look forward to La Befana, a kind-hearted witch who fills their stockings with sweets or coal. Traditional treats include panettone and torroncini (nougat).
Easter Sunday (Pasqua) & Easter Monday (Pasquetta)
• Dates: April 19–21
• Celebration: Easter is central to Italian culture, celebrated with special masses and feasts featuring lamb, colomba cake, and eggs. Pasquetta is perfect for picnics and day trips.
Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)
• Dates: April 25 (Friday bridge, April 22–27)
• Celebration: This day commemorates Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation in WWII. Italians honor it with patriotic events, concerts, and the iconic resistance song Bella Ciao.
Labor Day (Festa dei Lavoratori)
• Dates: May 1 (Thursday bridge, May 1–4)
• Celebration: A celebration of workers’ rights, Italians enjoy festivals, rallies, and outdoor events.
Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica)
• Dates: June 2 (Tuesday bridge, May 31–June 2)
• Celebration: Italians mark the birth of the Republic with military parades and air shows, particularly in Rome.
Assumption Day (Ferragosto)
• Dates: August 15 (Friday bridge, August 15–17)
• Celebration: Celebrating the Virgin Mary’s assumption, many Italians take vacations or head to the coast. Traditional dishes include porchetta (roast pork) and watermelon for dessert.
All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti)
• Date: November 1
• Celebration: Italians honor saints by visiting cemeteries, lighting candles, and preparing ossi dei morti, bone-shaped almond cookies.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione)
• Dates: December 8 (Monday bridge, December 6–8)
• Celebration: This holiday kicks off the festive season with nativity scenes, decorated trees, and traditional gnocchi meals.
Christmas Day (Natale) & St. Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano)
• Dates: December 25–28
• Celebration: Italians enjoy lavish feasts on Christmas, featuring panettone, panforte, and torrone, and continue the festivities on Santo Stefano with family visits and leftovers.
Local Holidays
Local holidays vary by region and often celebrate patron saints or unique traditions:
Feast of St. Mark (Festa di San Marco)
• Date: April 25 (Venice)
• Celebration: Venetians honor their patron saint with processions, regattas, and gifting red roses to loved ones.
Feast of St. John (Festa di San Giovanni)
• Date: June 24 (Florence, Genoa, and Turin)
• Celebration: This day includes parades, bonfires, boat races, and spectacular fireworks in these cities.
Feast of St. Peter and St. Paul (Festa di San Pietro e San Paolo)
• Date: June 29 (Rome)
• Celebration: Romans celebrate their patron saints with processions, a special mass, and fireworks.
Feast of St. Januarius (Festa di San Gennaro)
• Date: September 19 (Naples)
• Celebration: The miraculous liquefaction of the saint’s blood in Naples’ cathedral is a symbol of good fortune.
Feast of St. Ambrose (Festa di Sant’Ambrogio)
• Date: December 7 (Milan)
• Celebration: Milanese honor their patron saint with fairs, concerts, and risotto alla milanese.
How to Maximize Your 2025 Vacation
Thanks to strategic holiday scheduling, 2025 offers several opportunities for extended breaks. By taking just 6 days off, you can enjoy up to 32 vacation days:
• Epiphany: January 1–6
• Liberation Day: April 22–27
• Labor Day: May 1–4
• Republic Day: May 31–June 2
• Assumption Day: August 15–17
• Immaculate Conception: December 6–8
• Christmas: December 25–28
Italy’s holiday calendar is not only a reflection of its rich culture and history but also a wonderful chance to immerse yourself in local traditions and celebrations.
Driving and Owning a Car in Italy
Here’s what you need to know to stay compliant and drive legally in Italy including basic information about insurance requirements, and vehicle registration process. Driving in Italy as an Expat If you have a valid foreign driving license, you may be able to use it for a limited time, depending on your country of origin. […]
New Online Platform to Schedule Your Residence Permit Appointment
The Italian Police (Polizia di Stato) has activated a new online system called “Prenota Facile” to help streamline appointment bookings for specific types of permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) applications that are not processed through the traditional postal kit system. This portal allows you to book an appointment with the Immigration Office (Ufficio Immigrazione), providing […]
Find assistance on Renting a Property in Italy
Securing a rental property in Italy requires knowledge of local practices and fluency in Italian—two things that can be challenging for expats. With our specialized rental assistance services, you can rely on our expertise to help you find and secure your ideal home in Rome or Turin with ease. How We Can Help You Rent […]
How Non-Residents Without a Tax Code Can Register Rental Contracts in Italy
If you’re an expat or a non-resident looking to rent property in Italy, you might be wondering how to register a rental contract without an Italian codice fiscale (tax code). The Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency) has clarified the procedure for registering private agreements, including rental contracts, when the tenant is a non-resident and […]
Understanding the Italian Education System
Planning a move to Italy with your family? One of the key areas you’ll need to navigate is the education system. Whether you’ve just arrived or are preparing for a longer stay, understanding how the Italian school system functions is crucial for your family’s educational success. Here’s what you need to know. Structure of the […]
The Italian Holiday Calendar for 2025
Italy, a country rich in culture and tradition, celebrates many holidays throughout the year, blending national pride, religious significance, and local customs. For 2025, the Italian Holiday Calendar features 12 national holidays and several local celebrations unique to specific regions or cities. These holidays offer an opportunity to experience Italy’s vibrant heritage through religious ceremonies, […]
A Guide to Italy’s Carnivals in 2025
Carnival in Italy is a vibrant and lively celebration that takes place in the weeks leading up to Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and reflection before Easter. The exact dates of Carnival vary each year, as they are determined by the lunar calendar. In 2025, Carnival in Italy will be celebrated between February 16 […]
Winter Activities in Italy: Exploring the South, Central, and North
Winter in Italy offers a diverse range of activities, from snowy experiences and cultural adventures to Mediterranean warmth. Italy has something to offer in every corner of the country. Here’s a guide to winter activities across Southern, Central, and Northern Italy. Northern Italy Skiing in the Dolomites (Trentino-Alto Adige) View this post on Instagram […]
