Holidays and traditions in Italy

The paid national holidays are roughly twelve: 1 January (Capodanno), 6 January (Epifania), Easter (Pasqua) a movable Sunday in March or April, and the Monday after it (Lunedì dell'Angelo or Pasquetta), 25 April (Festa della Liberazione), 1 May (Festa dei Lavoratori), 2 June (Festa della Repubblica), 15 August (Ferragosto), 1 November (Ognissanti), 8 December (Immacolata Concezione), 25 December (Natale), 26 December (Santo Stefano).

• And the patron saint's holiday is local on the saint's day, such as Sant'Ambrogio in Milan on 7 December, San Gennaro in Naples on 19 September and San Pietro and San Paolo in Rome on 29 June.
• And shops, offices and schools close on these days, and a ponte, that is a bridge, is encouraged when the holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday so that people take an extra day.

The Christmas season begins with Avvento in late November with street decorations, Christmas markets and exhibitions.

• In homes there is a Christmas tree and the traditional presepe (nativity scene) famous in Naples.
• On the night of 24 December there is a Vigilia dinner with fish dishes for many, and the big lunch on 25 December with panettone, pandoro and torrone.
• Celebrations end on 6 January with the Befana who brings sweets for obedient children and sweet coal for others.
• New Year's Eve has a Cenone dinner and lentils as a symbol of wealth and fireworks.
• People exchange gifts and family visits.
• And no one obliges you to celebrate Christmas if you are Muslim, but you will often be invited, and it is enough to share halal food and greetings with Buone feste, that is happy holidays.

Easter is the most important Christian holiday after Christmas, and is preceded by Holy Week and religious processions especially in the south, Sicily and Sardinia.

• In it agnello (lamb meat), colomba pasquale (dove cake) and chocolate eggs are eaten.
• And on Pasquetta Italians go out for outings and picnics in nature.
• As for 25 April it is the anniversary of the liberation of Italy from Fascism and occupation in 1945, with marches and ceremonies, and Labour Day on 1 May has big concerts such as the Rome concert in Piazza San Giovanni.
• And most small shops close, and some stay open.
• And holidays may come close in April and May so Italians create short trips.
• And plan travel or shopping before these days because transport gets crowded and hotels rise in price.

2 June (Festa della Repubblica) is the anniversary of the 1946 referendum that ended the monarchy, with a military parade in Rome.

• As for Ferragosto on 15 August it is a summer holiday linked to the feast of the Assumption of the Virgin, when many cities close and Italians head to the sea, mountains and resorts, and barbecue feasts, outings and fireworks are held.
• And many companies close two weeks around it. So if you need an administrative or medical procedure do not postpone it to mid-August.
• And restaurants and tourist shops in seaside areas stay open and crowded.
• And during summer music festivals, open-air cinema and sagre, that is local food festivals in villages such as a pizza or mushroom festival, are widespread, at moderate prices and friendly atmosphere.

Every city has its own feast: the Carnival of Venice in February, the Palio di Siena in July and August, the Festa di San Gennaro in Naples, and the calcio storico in Florence.

• On the first of November (Ognissanti) and the second (Giorno dei Morti) people visit cemeteries.
• As for Muslims, they celebrate Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha, which are not official holidays, so you need leave from the employer, and some employers may agree and some schools allow the student's absence.
• And in Ramadan there are mosques, Islamic centres and associations (such as UCOII) organising iftar tables and tarawih prayer, and announcing the calendar.
• And the sacrifice can only be slaughtered according to the health authorities' rules in accredited slaughterhouses.
• And talk to the employer early and tell the school of your children's feasts.

What is Ferragosto?