Italy has 12 national holidays + local patron saint days that can shut down an entire city. Ferragosto (August 15) empties Rome, Milan, and Florence — locals flee to the beach, shops close, restaurants serve skeleton menus. Easter Monday, June 2 (Republic Day), and December 8 (Immaculate Conception) catch tourists off guard. This calendar prevents you from arriving to a closed city.
January 1 — New Year's. January 6 — Epiphany (La Befana — the witch brings candy/coal. Markets close). April 5 — Easter Sunday. April 6 — Easter Monday (Pasquetta — families picnic, museums often OPEN, many shops closed). April 25 — Liberation Day (WWII). May 1 — Labor Day (almost everything closed). June 2 — Republic Day (military parade in Rome). August 15 — Ferragosto (THE holiday. Cities empty. Coast/islands packed. Many restaurants closed Aug 10-20). November 1 — All Saints' Day. December 8 — Immaculate Conception (Christmas trees go up, decorations begin). December 25-26 — Christmas + Santo Stefano.
Shops/supermarkets: Closed on holidays (except tourist areas — Rome centro, Florence centro, Venice always have something open). Museums: Usually OPEN on holidays (state museums are required to). But check hours — many close early. Restaurants: Many close for Ferragosto week (Aug 10-20). Churches: Open but may have limited tourist access during services. Banks/post offices: Always closed on holidays.
Rome: June 29 (Saints Peter and Paul — fireworks at Castel Sant'Angelo). Florence: June 24 (San Giovanni — Calcio Storico match, fireworks). Naples: September 19 (San Gennaro — blood liquefaction miracle, Duomo packed). Milan: December 7 (Sant'Ambrogio — La Scala season opens). Venice: November 21 (Madonna della Salute — temporary bridge to Salute church). Palermo: July 14-15 (Santa Rosalia — massive street festival). These are LOCAL holidays: the specific city may have some closures, but the rest of Italy operates normally.