Italy Public Holidays 2026
Italy marks 12 national public holidays in 2026, highlighted by the historic addition of the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) enacted by Law 151/2025. New Year’s Day and Labour Day (both Fridays) provide immediate three-day weekends, while Republic Day (Tuesday June 2) presents an ideal four-day bridge weekend opportunity (ponte).
At a glance
Italy has 13 official public holidays (13 days off) in 2026 and 4 long weekends; the longest break is New Year (Jan 1 – 4, 4 days).
| Public holidays | 13 |
|---|---|
| Total days off | 13 |
| Longest break | New Year · 4 days (Jan 1 – 4) |
| Long weekends | 4 |
Official public holidays
New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Epiphany (January 6, 2026), Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026), Easter Monday (April 6, 2026), Liberation Day (April 25, 2026), Labour Day (May 1, 2026), Republic Day (June 2, 2026), Assumption Day (Ferragosto) (August 15, 2026), St. Francis of Assisi's Day (October 4, 2026), All Saints' Day (November 1, 2026), Immaculate Conception (December 8, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026), St. Stephen's Day (December 26, 2026)
Italy public holiday list
| Date | Day | Holiday | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Thursday | New Year's DayFalls on Friday, opening 2026 with an immediate three-day holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| January 6, 2026 | Tuesday | EpiphanyFalls on Tuesday — taking Monday January 5 off creates a 4-day bridge break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| April 5, 2026 | Sunday | Easter SundayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
| April 6, 2026 | Monday | Easter MondayPasquetta, traditional outdoor picnic holiday creating a 3-day break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| April 25, 2026 | Saturday | Liberation DayFalls on Saturday — no statutory substitute day under general Italian law.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| May 1, 2026 | Friday | Labour DayFalls on Friday, creating a nationwide 3-day spring holiday weekend.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| June 2, 2026 | Tuesday | Republic DayFalls on Tuesday — premier 4-day bridge opportunity by taking Monday June 1 off.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| August 15, 2026 | Saturday | Assumption Day (Ferragosto)Falls on Saturday — peak summer holiday across Italian beaches and cities.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| October 4, 2026 | Sunday | St. Francis of Assisi's DayNew national holiday enacted by Law 151/2025 celebrating Italy’s patron saint.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| November 1, 2026 | Sunday | All Saints' DayFalls on Sunday — extra holiday pay applies under many collective contracts.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 8, 2026 | Tuesday | Immaculate ConceptionFalls on Tuesday — taking Monday Dec 7 off creates a 4-day winter bridge break.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 25, 2026 | Friday | Christmas DayFalls on Friday, creating a continuous three-day festive break with Saturday.Public holiday | Public holiday |
| December 26, 2026 | Saturday | St. Stephen's DayPublic holiday | Public holiday |
National holidays
12
New holiday
St. Francis (Oct 4)
Friday breaks
2 (Jan 1, May 1)
Bridge days (ponti)
Jan 6, Jun 2, Dec 8
2026 Italy calendar
01January
02February
03March
04April
05May
06June
07July
08August
09September
10October
11November
12December
Italy long weekends in 2026
New Year
4 daysJan 1 – 4
New Year's Day falls on a Friday, extending the opening weekend to 4 days.
Easter
3 daysApr 4 – 6
Saturday through Easter Monday (Pasquetta).
Labour Day
3 daysMay 1 – 3
Labour Day falls on Friday for a three-day weekend.
Christmas
3 daysDec 25 – 27
Friday Christmas and Saturday St. Stephen provide a 3-day festive break.
The new national holiday: St. Francis of Assisi (Law 151/2025)
On 8 October 2025, the Italian Official Gazette (Gazzetta Ufficiale n. 236) published Law no. 151 of 2025, which officially restores October 4 — the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy — as a full national public holiday with effect from 1 January 2026. The law commemorates the 800th anniversary of the death of St. Francis (1226–2026) and amends Law 260/1949 to guarantee paid absence from work and the closure of schools and public offices.
Strategic ponti in 2026: three major Tuesday holidays
2026 is an outstanding year for Italian workers planning vacation ponti. Epiphany (January 6), Republic Day (June 2), and the Immaculate Conception (December 8) all land on Tuesdays. Taking the corresponding Monday off in each case transforms single mid-week holidays into three separate four-day mini-breaks across winter, summer, and autumn.
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Official sources & data
- Legge 27 maggio 1949, n. 260 - Disposizioni in materia di ricorrenze festiveVisit sourceNormattiva / Governo Italiano
- Legge 8 ottobre 2025, n. 151 - Istituzione della festa nazionale di San Francesco d’AssisiVisit sourceGazzetta Ufficiale della Repubblica Italiana
Frequently asked questions
What is the longest holiday break in Italy in 2026?
The longest break in Italy is New Year (Jan 1 – 4, 4 days).
What are the official public holidays in Italy in 2026?
Italy has 13 official public holidays in 2026: New Year's Day (January 1, 2026), Epiphany (January 6, 2026), Easter Sunday (April 5, 2026), Easter Monday (April 6, 2026), Liberation Day (April 25, 2026), Labour Day (May 1, 2026), Republic Day (June 2, 2026), Assumption Day (Ferragosto) (August 15, 2026), St. Francis of Assisi's Day (October 4, 2026), All Saints' Day (November 1, 2026), Immaculate Conception (December 8, 2026), Christmas Day (December 25, 2026), St. Stephen's Day (December 26, 2026).
What is the new public holiday in Italy in 2026?
The Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (October 4) was reinstated as a full national public holiday by Law no. 151/2025, bringing the total number of national public holidays in Italy to 12.
How many long weekends are there in Italy in 2026?
There are four natural long weekends: New Year (Jan 1–4, 4 days), Easter (Apr 4–6, 3 days), Labour Day (May 1–3, 3 days), and Christmas (Dec 25–27, 3 days), along with three 4-day bridge opportunities (Jan 6, Jun 2, Dec 8).
Are schools closed on the new St. Francis of Assisi holiday in 2026?
Yes. Law 151/2025 specifically amends Law 260/1949 to grant full non-working status to October 4, requiring public offices and schools to close.
What is a "ponte" in Italian vacation culture?
A "ponte" (bridge) refers to taking a single working day off (usually a Monday or Friday) when a public holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday, linking the holiday with the weekend into a 4-day mini-break.
Do shops and restaurants stay open on Italian public holidays?
Restaurants and bars in tourist destinations typically remain open and busy on public holidays. Supermarkets and high-street boutiques are closed on Christmas, New Year, Easter, and May 1, but open with modified hours on other holidays.
