Vatican City holiday calendar
Public holidays in Vatican City 2026
Calendar compilation last reviewed
Plan the year with every Vatican City public holiday, regional date and major cultural observance in our calendar. Each entry links to a detailed guide covering its history, status, traditions and sources.
- Public holidays
- 27
- Regional dates
- 0
- Observances
- 0
- Substitute dates
- 0
How public holidays work in Vatican City
The calendar separates public holidays from regional dates and cultural observances. Public holidays are the broadest category in our Vatican City calendar. Regional holidays may apply only in a particular state, province, territory or community, while an observance does not automatically mean that workplaces, schools or public services close.
No separate substitute dates are currently listed for 2026. Weekend and time-off rules can still vary by employer, region and holiday, so consult the linked guide and primary source before making arrangements. April and December are the busiest months, with 6 listed dates.
Vatican City holiday dates in 2026
The table lists 27 calendar entries. Follow a holiday name for its full background, observance details and traditions.
| Date | Holiday | Type | Observed day |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Year’s DayVatican City’s January 1 holiday, combining the civil new year with the Catholic solemnity of Mary, Mother of God. | Public holiday | — | |
| EpiphanyThe January 6 Vatican City holiday celebrating the Epiphany, the manifestation of Christ to the nations. | Public holiday | — | |
| Lateran Pacts DayThe February 11 Vatican employee holiday marking signature of the 1929 Lateran Pacts, whose ratification brought the modern state into legal effect. | Public holiday | — | |
| Saint Joseph’s DayThe March 19 Vatican City holiday honouring Saint Joseph, spouse of Mary and patron of the universal Church. | Public holiday | — | |
| Holy ThursdayThe first of the Vatican City State’s three final Holy Week vacation days, before Easter. | Public holiday | — | |
| Good FridayA Vatican City State holiday on the Friday before Easter, centred on the Passion of the Lord and the Way of the Cross. | Public holiday | — | |
| Holy SaturdayThe final day before Easter, recognised as a Vatican City State vacation day within the Paschal Triduum. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter SundayThe central Christian solemnity, celebrated in Vatican City with the Pope's Easter Mass and Urbi et Orbi blessing. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter MondayThe Monday after Easter, a Vatican City State vacation day extending the central Christian feast. | Public holiday | — | |
| Easter TuesdayA Vatican City State vacation day on the Tuesday after Easter, not a general public holiday across Italy. | Public holiday | — | |
| Saint Joseph the WorkerThe May 1 Vatican City State vacation day combining the Church’s Saint Joseph the Worker feast with International Workers’ Day. | Public holiday | — | |
| Papal Election AnniversaryThe May 8 Vatican employee vacation day marking Pope Leo XIV's election in 2025; the date changes with a future pontificate. | Public holiday | — | |
| Ascension DayThe Vatican City holiday forty days after Easter, celebrating Christ’s Ascension. This guide explains the date, background, legal status and customary observance of Ascension Day in Vatican City. | Public holiday | — | |
| Corpus ChristiThe Vatican City holiday celebrating the Body and Blood of Christ, traditionally sixty days after Easter. | Public holiday | — | |
| Saints Peter and PaulThe June 29 Vatican City holiday honouring the two apostolic patrons of Rome. | Public holiday | — | |
| Assumption EveThe August 14 Vatican City State vacation day immediately before the Assumption of Mary. | Public holiday | — | |
| AssumptionThe August 15 Vatican City holiday celebrating the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. | Public holiday | — | |
| Day after AssumptionThe August 16 Vatican City State vacation day that extends the Assumption holiday period. | Public holiday | — | |
| Papal Name DayThe September 17 Vatican employee vacation day for Leo XIV's name day, kept on Saint Robert Bellarmine's memorial. | Public holiday | — | |
| All Saints’ DayThe November 1 Vatican City holiday honouring all saints in the Catholic tradition. | Public holiday | — | |
| All Souls’ DayThe November 2 Vatican City State vacation day dedicated to prayerful remembrance of the dead. | Public holiday | — | |
| Immaculate ConceptionThe December 8 Vatican City holiday celebrating the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. | Public holiday | — | |
| Christmas EveThe December 24 Vatican City State vacation day before the celebration of Christmas. | Public holiday | — | |
| Christmas DayThe December 25 Vatican City holiday celebrating the Nativity of the Lord. | Public holiday | — | |
| Saint Stephen’s DayThe December 26 Vatican City State vacation day, the feast of Saint Stephen within the Christmas octave. | Public holiday | — | |
| Saint John’s DayThe December 27 Vatican City State vacation day during the Christmas octave. | Public holiday | — | |
| New Year’s EveThe December 31 Vatican City State vacation day, closing the civil year and the Christmas octave. | Public holiday | — |
Sources for Vatican City holidays
Calendar dates and classifications are checked against the primary calendar sources below. Historical and cultural claims have additional citations on each individual holiday guide.
- vatican.vaPrimary calendar source
- vatican.vaPrimary calendar source
- vatican.vaPrimary calendar source
- vaticannews.vaPrimary calendar source