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 2024 to plan your Italian vacation better. Each Italian public holiday 2024 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 2024 – The transition to each year brings its own set of happiness and challenges, and the Italian government ensures its population enjoys this transition into the new year. The Italian population celebrates the start of the new year with grand fireworks, and the special dishes prepared include the Risotto in Bianco and Lentils that mark good fortune to them.
Epiphany on 6th Jan 2024 – 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 on 15th Apr 2024 – 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 on 17th & 18th Apr 2024 – 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 2024.
Liberation Day on 25th Apr 2024 – 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 on 1st May 2024– A National holiday in the Italian calendar counted as an important public holiday in Italy 2024. It will be marked and celebrated equally as part of the public holidays in Italy 2024. Labor or May Day is known as Festa del Lavoro or Festa dei Lavoratori locally here in Italy. This day marks the inception of the labor movement and trade unions’ economic and social achievements.
Republic Day on 2nd Jun 2024 – The Republic Day or the Festa della Repubblica marks the end of the monarchy in 1946 that bought the inception of the Italian republic into the picture. One of Italy’s most important public holidays, 2024, Republic Day, is celebrated with official ceremonies, military parades, and visiting the largest Italian monument, the Altare della Patria, in Rome’s capital city.
Assumption of Mary on 15th Aug 2024 – A national holiday celebrated nationwide with great vigor. Festivities include street processions carrying the statue of Mother Mary, fireworks, and decorated streets across many cities. In addition, many marketplaces or squares in Italy host a horse race on this day.
All Saints’ Day on 1st Nov 2024 – 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 the Immaculate Conception on 8th Dec 2024 – 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 2024 and marks the beginning of the Christmas season ahead.
Christmas Day on 25th Dec 2024 – 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. 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 on 26th Dec 2024 – 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 on 31st Dec – 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.
Well, most of the public holidays mentioned above will be part of the public holidays in Italy in 2024. However, depending on their role in Italian culture, you can expect some local or regional additions.