Despite the fact that many foreigners believe that us Italians are always on holiday, we only actually have 12 official holidays each year. Let’s find out what they are:

1. – Capodanno
On the first of January we celebrate Capodanno (New Year’s Day). The name comes from capo dell’anno, literally: head of the year. Does that make mid-June l’ombelico dell’anno (the bellybutton of the year) and the 31st of December l’alluce dell’anno (the big toe of the year)? Now that would be fun! Read more about New Year’s traditions in HERE and HERE

2. – Epifania
On the sixth of January we celebrate l’Epifania (the Epiphany), which commemorates the arrival of i Tre Re Magi (the Three Wise Men) in Bethlehem, this, to the relief of many, marks the end of the  Christmas period. Read more about l’Epifania in HERE

3. – Pasqua
Easter doesn’t have a fixed date because it’s the only Christian holiday linked to the lunar calendar. In 2018 it falls on the 1st of April, and that’s not a joke! Unlike many other countries, Venerdì Santo (Good Friday) is not an official holiday, so businesses will stay open.

4. – Pasquetta
Domenica di Pasqua is followed by Lunedì di Pasqua (Easter Monday), better known as Pasquetta (Little Easter). La Pasquetta is probably the most popular aspect of Easter for most Italians, and the traditional way to spend it is by having una gita fuori porta (literally: a trip outside the town gates), which usually involves going out for a walk or a picnic with friends. Read more about Pasqua and Pasquetta in HERE

5. – 25 Aprile
The 25th of April commemorates the end of the Second World War and the liberation of Italy from the Fascist and Nazis troops. Hence its official name: Festa della Liberazione (Liberation Day).

6. – 1° Maggio
On the 1st of May we celebrate la Festa del Lavoro (International Workers’ Day) with rallies organised by worker’s unions in most towns. The patron saint of 1° Maggio is, of course, San Giuseppe lavoratore! (Saint Joseph the worker!). I’m not sure exactly what the desperate 37% of Italy’s young people who are disoccupati (without work) have to celebrate on this day! (Yes, really, 37%!!!)

7. – 2 Giugno
The 2nd of June commemorates la Festa Nazionale della Repubblica. In 1946 the Italian people held a referendum in which they decided to become a republic, transforming il Regno d’Italia into la Repubblica Italiana. Every year in Rome, on the 2nd of June, la sfilata delle forze armate (the parade of the armed forces) takes place, its highlight being a display given by the famous Italian air force aerobatic team le Frecce Tricolore (the three-colored arrows – reflecting the green white and red of the Italian flag).

8. – Ferragosto
The 15 of August marks the peak of the summer holidays. Ferragosto comes from the Latin feriae Augusti (August vacations), and is said to date back to Roman times. When I was a child, big towns and cities closed down completely for Ferragosto, old people were left wandering around town trying to find a shop where they could buy a loaf of bread or a drop of milk, and tourists stood disconsolately outside museums and restaurants which displayed the disheartening sign chiuso per ferie (closed for the holidays). Since then things have certainly improved a lot, meno male!

9. – I Santi
On the 1st of November we celebrate Tutti i Santi (All Saints). When I was a child, the 2nd of November, Tutti i Defunti (All Souls – literally: all the deceased) was also a national holiday, but now it’s just a normal working day. However, for the majority of Italians i Defunti is still the most important of the two festivals, and many people will travel long distances to their places of origin in order to visit the burial place of their relatives, brightening up the cemeteries with bunches and garlands of flowers, and polishing le lapidi (the grave stones).

10. – L’Immacolata
On the 8th of December we celebrate l’Immacolata Concezione (the Immaculate Conception), which commemorates the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without original sin. This was established on the 8th of December 1854 by Pope Pio IX after centuries of abstract, convoluted theological discussions on the subject.

11. – Natale
On the 25th of December we celebrate Santo Natale del Signore (literally: ‘Holy Birth of the Lord’ a.k.a. Christmas). Christmas traditions vary throughout the regions of Italy: in some places la cena della vigilia (Christmas Eve dinner) is the main Christmas meal, and is eaten whilst waiting for midnight Mass, after which presents are exchanged. (oddio, non un altro panettone! = oh God, not another panettone!) In other places the main meal is il pranzo di Natale (Christmas lunch), with more panettone being exchanged afterwards. Read more about Natale in HERE

12. – Santo Stefano
On the 26th of December we celebrate Santo Stefano Protomartire (Boxing Day, literally: ‘Saint Stefano The First Christian Martyr’). On this day, whilst Englishmen are busily engaged in boxing matches, we usually visit friends and relatives, exchanging yet more bloody panettone with them!

Because all of our national holidays are linked to specific dates (apart from Easter) this means that if a holiday falls on a Sunday we loose it. 🙁 However, if a holiday falls on a Tuesday or a Thursday, most people also take either the Monday or the Friday off work, which is known as fare il ponte (literally: to do the bridge). 🙂 At the beginning of each year, newspapers will calculate how many ponti there will be in the coming year. Hmm, I guess we do like to try and maximise our days off after all!

Holiday Warning: Remember that every town and city has its own Patron Saint, so you’re likely to find everything closed if you visit a particular place on its festa del patrono (saint’s day)! Solution: take your own religious calendar with you when you go to Italy for your holiday.