When is Epiphany?
In 2026, Epiphany falls on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. It is classified here as a San Marino public holiday.
History of Epiphany
Epiphany on January 6 is one of the fixed religious holidays in San Marino’s national calendar. In Western Christianity it recalls the manifestation of Christ to the nations, represented by the Magi in Matthew’s Gospel. The observance entered the Latin liturgical calendar in early Christianity and now closes the principal twelve-day Christmas period. San Marino’s official holiday sources list Epiphany separately from Christmas and New Year, confirming that it has nationwide civic consequences as well as meaning for Catholic worshippers in the republic’s parishes.
Sammarinese practice shares the Italian cultural figure of the Befana, an elderly gift-bringer traditionally said to visit children on the night before Epiphany. Families may put sweets or small presents in stockings, attend Mass and use the last holiday before normal work and school routines resume. Churches continue to display Nativity scenes through the feast, while seasonal events in the historic centre draw to a close. The date always remains January 6 and is not automatically shifted when it coincides with Saturday or Sunday.
How Epiphany is observed
A nationwide public holiday fixed on January 6, with government and banking closures and no automatic Monday substitution at weekends.
Traditions of Epiphany
Befana stockings
Children may receive sweets or small gifts in stockings, following the Epiphany-night custom shared with neighbouring Italian communities.
Epiphany Mass
Catholic parishes celebrate Christ’s manifestation to the Magi with scripture readings, music and the conclusion of Christmas worship.
Farewell to Christmas
Households begin removing decorations and Nativity scenes after January 6 as work, school and ordinary winter schedules resume.
Dates and observance rules are checked against the official Republic of San Marino official calendar. Public-office and private-sector schedules may differ around national and religious holidays.
History sources: Central Bank of San Marino: national holiday calendar, Vatican: General Roman Calendar, Visit San Marino: religious and national holidays.
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