Italy has 12 national public holidays, but its 20 regions each observe additional holidays based on local patron saints and historical events. These regional holidays are not optional — they’re mandated by regional law and must be granted as paid days off. An employee in Sicily gets more days off than one in Lombardy, and both expect their regional holidays honored.
This guide maps Italy’s national and regional holiday landscape for 2026, helping you manage a distributed Italian workforce.
This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult an employment lawyer for guidance specific to your organization.
Key Takeaways
- Italy has 12 national public holidays
- Each region adds 1–4 additional holidays based on local traditions
- Regional holidays are mandatory for employers in that region
- The total ranges from 12 to 16 holidays depending on region
- Most regional holidays relate to patron saints or historical events
National Public Holidays (All Regions)
These holidays apply across all 20 Italian regions:
| Holiday | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| New Year’s Day (Capodanno) | 1 January | Thursday |
| Epiphany (Epifania) | 6 January | Tuesday |
| Easter Sunday (Pasqua) | 5 April | Sunday |
| Easter Monday (Lunedì dell’Angelo) | 6 April | Monday |
| Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione) | 25 April | Saturday |
| Labour Day (Festa dei Lavoratori) | 1 May | Friday |
| Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica) | 2 June | Tuesday |
| Assumption Day (Ferragosto) | 15 August | Saturday |
| All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti) | 1 November | Sunday |
| Immaculate Conception (Immacolata) | 8 December | Tuesday |
| Christmas Day (Natale) | 25 December | Friday |
| Saint Stephen’s Day (Santo Stefano) | 26 December | Saturday |
Regional Holiday Variations
Sicily
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Constitution Day | 15 May |
| Regional Autonomous Day | 25 May |
| Saint Agatha (Catania) | 3–5 February |
Sicily has one of the richest regional calendars, with three additional holidays beyond the national list. Saint Agatha in Catania is one of Italy’s largest religious festivals.
Sardinia
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saint Efisio | 1 May |
| Sardinian Autonomy Day | 29 May |
| Founding of the Sardinian Parliament | 28 April |
Sardinia’s patron saint day (Saint Efisio) is a major celebration in Cagliari with elaborate processions.
Veneto
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saint Mark’s Day (San Marco) | 25 April |
Veneto celebrates its patron saint on 25 April — the same date as national Liberation Day, creating a double celebration.
Emilia-Romagna
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Liberation Day (regional observance) | 25 April |
Emilia-Romagna emphasizes Liberation Day as both a national and regional holiday.
Trentino-Alto Adige
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saint Vigilius Day | 26 June |
| South Tyrol autonomy-related holidays | Various |
Trentino-Alto Adige has additional holidays reflecting its German-speaking cultural heritage.
Friuli Venezia Giulia
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Regional Day | 23 February |
| Saint Justina’s Day | 7 October |
Umbria
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Patron Saints Day | Various dates |
Marche
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saint Cyriacus Day | 4 August |
Lazio
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saints Peter and Paul | 29 June |
Lazio’s regional holiday coincides with the feast of Rome’s patron saints.
Abruzzo
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saint Vito Day | 15 June |
Molise
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| San Costanzo Day | 15 August |
Puglia
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| San Nicola Day | 7 May |
| Madonna della Bruna | 2 July |
Puglia celebrates both its patron saint (San Nicola) and the Madonna della Bruna in Matera.
Calabria
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Regional Day | Various |
Basilicata
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Madonna della Bruna | 2 July |
Liguria
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saint John the Baptist | 24 June |
Tuscany
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Feast of San Giovanni | 24 June |
Florence’s San Giovanni celebration is a major Tuscan event.
Piedmont
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Saint Ambrose Day | 7 December |
Piedmont celebrates Milan’s patron saint as a regional holiday, reflecting historical connections.
Valle d’Aosta
| Regional Holiday | Date |
|---|---|
| Regional Day | Various |
Lombardy
Lombardy has a relatively lean regional calendar with minimal additions beyond national holidays.
Common Regional Holiday Categories
Italian regional holidays fall into three main categories:
- Patron saint days — the most common, celebrating the region’s or city’s patron saint
- Autonomy day — celebrating regional autonomy (Sicily, Sardinia, Friuli Venezia Giulia)
- Historical events — commemorating significant regional history
What This Means for Employers
Build Per-Region Calendars
A national calendar alone doesn’t cover your obligations. Map each employee to their region’s additional holidays.
Account for Local Celebrations
Some regional holidays (like Saint Agatha in Catania) are multi-day events. While only one day may be a public holiday, local customs may affect business operations for several days.
Handle Multi-Region Operations
If you have offices in both Rome (Lazio) and Milan (Lombardy), your teams observe different regional holidays. Track separately and communicate clearly.
Watch for Religious Significance
Many regional holidays have religious origins. While not all employees may observe them, the legal entitlement to time off remains.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many holidays do Italian regions have?
Most regions have 12–16 public holidays total. The national calendar provides 12, and regions add 0–4 more. Sicily and Sardinia have among the most.
Are regional holidays mandatory for private employers?
Yes. Under Italian law, regional holidays are mandatory for employers in that region. Employees are entitled to paid time off on regional holidays.
Can an employer require work on a regional holiday?
In exceptional circumstances, yes. But the employee must receive a substitute day off within 3 months, and additional compensation may apply.
Do remote workers get regional holidays?
Yes. The region where the employee physically works determines their holiday entitlements. An employee working from Sicily is entitled to Sicily’s regional holidays.
Are regional holidays the same every year?
Most are fixed-date holidays that occur annually. However, some regions may add or modify holidays through regional legislation. Check annually for updates.