Holidays are a great way to refresh your batteries and get a break from your daily routine. People can make the most of the public holidays without sacrificing their yearly earned leaves. If you are looking to travel to Italy anytime soon, you can take note of the Italian public holidays 2025 to plan your Italian vacation better. Each Italian public holiday 2025 has a significant role in the history of Italy. They carry their significance and values that give the future generation a sneak peek of the message they want to pass on.
Here is the list of the public holidays of Italy:
New Year’s Day on 1st Jan 2025, Wed – The transition from one year to another brings its own share of pleasure and difficulties and, the Italian state grants its citizens a day to happily celebrate this transition. People in Italy also celebrate the new year with massive fireworks, and the typical dishes will be Risotto in Bianco and lentils that symbolize luck for them.
Epiphany: Monday, 6th January 2025– A national holiday marks the last day of the Christmas period to commemorate the visiting of infant Jesus by the three wise kings. The Italians call Epiphany La Befane locally. Banks, offices, and stores remain closed as an observance throughout the country. The festivities of Epiphany can be best witnessed in Northeast Italy when they lit a bonfire in the town square.
Good Friday: Friday, 18th April 2025 – An observance holiday marking the death of Jesus Christ. Locally known as the Venerdi Santo – it is considered a day of fasting declared by the Catholic Church. Most of the statues in Italian churches are clothed in black or purple as a remembrance.
Easter Sunday & Monday: Sunday, 20th April 2025, and Monday, 21st April 2025 – Easter Sunday and Monday is a National holiday in Italy and brings in a festive season throughout Italy. Religious parades carrying the statue of Jesus and Mary, and Easter’s festivities are visible nationwide. Easter special meals include Easter pie, eggs, and lamb delicacies. A celebrated public holiday in Italy 2025.
Feast of St. Mark (Venice): Friday, 25th April 2025 – This holiday is celebrated in Venice to honor St. Mark, the patron saint of the city. On this day, the streets of Venice come alive with vibrant processions and cultural events. Venetians express their pride and devotion by participating in religious ceremonies and decorating the city. The holiday offers a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Venice, with locals and tourists joining in the festivities to honor the city’s traditions.
Liberation Day: Friday, 25th April 2025 – A National holiday is known as Festa della Liberazione locally in Italy. There are marches, street parades, and speeches all through the country. This day is significant in the history of Italy as many people stay at their homes and remember the people who ended the fascist regime dictatorship.
Labor Day: Thursday, 1st May 2025– It is a 2025 National holiday and a notable public holiday in the Italian calendar. It will be equally marked and celebrated as part of the public holidays in Italy in 2025. Labour or May Day is called Festa del Lavoro or Festa dei Lavoratori here in Italy. This day is celebrated as the birth of the labour movement and the union of economic and social achievements of trade unions.
Republic Day: Monday, 2nd June 2025 – Republic Day or Festa della Repubblica is celebrated to commemorate the abortion of the monarchy in 1946 and the establishment of the Italian republic. It is one of the most important public holidays in Italy in 2025. The day is marked by official ceremonies, military parades, and visits to the biggest Italian monument in the capital city of Rome, the Altare della Patria.
Feast of St. John (Florence, Genoa, Turin): Tuesday, 24th June 2025 Well-known across the country as a regional holiday, it is celebrated in Florence, Genoa and Turin to pay respects to the Patron Saint (in Italian San Giovanni Battista) of some of the cities. The day is marked by colourful parades, spectacular firework shows and religious ceremonies. For one of the most important persons in the Christian religion, it is a day of joy, social gathering and prayer.
Assumption of Mary: Friday, 15th August 2025 – This National public holiday is celebrated throughout Italy and the celebrations involve marching in the streets with the statue of Mother Mary, vibrant firework shows and decorated streets in many cities. Many marketplaces or market squares in Italy take part in this auspicious day and also host celebratory horse races.
All Saints’ Day: Saturday, 1st November 2025 – A public holiday in Italy where government offices, public institutes, and offices will remain closed as an observance. People celebrate this holiday by visiting their loved ones and friends. Italian traditions include exchanging gifts, gifting the poor, and attending church masses. In Rome, the pope holds an open mass gathering for the public.
Feast of Saint Ambrose (Milan): Sunday, 7th December 2025 – This Milanese holiday is celebrated for Saint Ambrose, the patron Saint of the city. The day is also known for its unique charm with the famous Oh Bej! Oh Bej! street market that offers local crafts, traditional foods and festive decorations. The market dates back to the ancient 16th century and remains are the centrepiece of the holiday. Milanese residents take pride in honoring their beloved Saint, and the celebrations reflect the rich history and culture of the city.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception: Monday, 8th December 2025 – A National holiday in Italy where people attend the church or lead a street possession to carry the statue of the Holy Mary through the neighborhood. A religious holiday is one of the celebrated Italian public holidays in 2025 and marks the beginning of the Christmas season ahead.
Christmas Day: Thursday, 25th December 2025 – Italians greatly celebrate this national holiday. It is an important public holiday and will be on the public holidays Italy 2024 list. The Christmas Day mass is on Christmas Eve in Italy. marks the beginning of the Christmas season with the birth of Jesus Christ. People observe a fast for the entire month of December, and Christmas Day is all about feasting, and the festivities can be witnessed live across every street nationwide.
St. Stephen’s Day: Friday, 26th December 2025– A National holiday marks an important day in the Italian public holidays 2024. St. Stephen’s Day is celebrated with people visiting their loved ones and friends. Streets are decorated and bustling with the festivities. Furthermore, as part of the Italian tradition, people visit the crib of Sacred Jesus inside their local churches and make a small contribution to the poor and the church.
New Year’s Eve: Wednesday, 31st December 2025 – An observance commemorating the last day of the year. New Year’s Eve is synonymous with grand firework displays, bonfires, festivals, vibrant parties, and live concerts all through the country. Special Italian delicacies include Cotechino, an Italian sausage, and lentils with sparkling Italian wine.
Practical Travel Tips for Public Holidays in Italy
1. Experience the Festivals Firsthand
Public holidays from parades and religious processions to local festivals provide an iconic Italian experience. So while planning your itinerary, you need to plan them around holidays like the Republic Day Parade in Rome or the Feast of St. Mark in Venice.
2. Explore Regional Markets and Local Crafts
Many holidays coincide with special markets like the Milan Market, especially during Saint Ambrose’s Feast. Such festive markets are ideal for buying genuine native handicrafts and unique souvenirs.
3. Visit Smaller Towns for Authentic Celebrations
Some smaller towns also feature more traditional celebrations like the Feast of Saint Januarius in Naples, that offer a closer glimpse at the local customs and traditions.
4. Make Reservations for Holiday Dining Experiences
National holidays also offer an opportunity to enjoy special Italian cuisines linked to that date. To avoid disappointment, please reserve early at local restaurants that serve festive menus.
5. Plan for Extended Travel Options
Even if trains and public transportation are running on limited schedules for holidays, the government launches several holiday-specific services that are available for popular destinations. Know about these options in advance so that you can travel without worry.
Italian Public Holiday Traditions Through Food
- New Year’s Day: During the first day of the year, local italians have lentils which they believe bring prosperity and good luck for the year to come. Simple yet symbolic, it is usually accompanied by Cotechino, a spiced sausage.
- Easter: One of the signature dishes of Easter is the famous Torta Pasqualina. It is a savoury pie of eggs and spinach, and roast lamb, symbolising renewal and rebirth. They are the staples of the celebratory feasts of this holiday.
- Christmas Eve and Christmas Day: On the Christmas eve, the locals feast on a sumptuous seafood dinner as part of the Feast of the Seven Fishes. On Christmas Day, they have sweet treats like Panettone or Pandoro, which are an expression of joyfulness and the families breaking the bread together.
- Regional Delicacies: On many holidays special dishes unique to the occasion are made around the country like the St. Joseph’s Day Zeppole di San Giuseppe.
Well, these were all the public holidays that the country of Italy would be celebrating in the year 2025. While a few of them are regional celebrations, they have been added to the list as they are one of the biggest festivals and tourists need to be aware of these days when visiting Italy. So while planning your itinerary do consider these holidays and events for a wonderful vacation.