Vatican City Public Holidays
Vatican City observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Overview
Vatican City observes a mix of public, national, and regional holidays throughout the year.
Some holidays are observed nationwide, while others may apply only to specific regions or communities.
Explore the holiday calendar for Vatican City by year below.
2026 holidays
A quick look at upcoming holidays in Vatican City.
| Date | Day | Holiday |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Thursday | Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God |
| Jan 6 | Tuesday | Epiphany |
| Feb 11 | Wednesday | Anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City |
| Mar 13 | Friday | Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis |
| Mar 19 | Thursday | Saint Joseph's Day |
| Apr 6 | Monday | Easter Monday |
| Apr 23 | Thursday | Saint George |
| May 1 | Friday | Saint Joseph the Worker |
| Jun 29 | Monday | Saint Peter and Saint Paul |
| Aug 15 | Saturday | Assumption Day |
| Sep 8 | Tuesday | Nativity of Mary |
| Nov 1 | Sunday | All Saints Day |
| Dec 8 | Tuesday | Immaculate Conception |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Christmas Day |
| Dec 26 | Saturday | St. Stephen's Day |
Holiday calendar by year
Years are listed in ascending order.
About public holidays in Vatican City
Vatican City, the smallest independent state in the world, observes a number of public holidays, many of which are religious in nature and tied to the Catholic Church calendar. These holidays are observed by the Holy See and its employees.
On HolidayCalendar.org, you can find a comprehensive list of Vatican City holidays. For a general overview of what constitutes a public holiday, please see our definitions page. To view all observed holidays for a specific year, visit our Vatican City holidays in 2026 page.
Major public holidays in 2026
In 2026, Vatican City will observe a number of significant public holidays. These include major religious observances and important dates for the Holy See.
Other holidays observed in 2026 include Saint George, Saint Joseph the Worker, Assumption Day, Nativity of Mary, All Saints Day, Immaculate Conception, Christmas Day, and St. Stephen's Day. You can find the full list of holidays for the year on our Vatican City holidays in 2026 page.
- Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God — 1 January 2026. This solemnity is celebrated on the first day of the year, honoring Mary's role as the Mother of God.
- Epiphany — 6 January 2026. This holiday commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.
- Anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City — 11 February 2026. This date marks the establishment of Vatican City as an independent state.
- Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis — 13 March 2026. This day celebrates the anniversary of the election of the current Pope.
- Saint Joseph's Day — 19 March 2026. A feast day honoring Saint Joseph, the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus.
- Easter Monday — 6 April 2026. The day after Easter Sunday, observed as a public holiday.
- Saint Peter and Saint Paul — 29 June 2026. A major feast day celebrating the martyrdom of Saints Peter and Paul in Rome.
Planning around holidays
Vatican City's holiday schedule is heavily influenced by the liturgical calendar of the Catholic Church. This means that many holidays fall on fixed dates, while others, like Easter Monday, are determined by the date of Easter. Planning travel or business activities requires awareness of these dates, especially around major religious festivals.
- Religious Observances: Many holidays are religious feasts, so their observance may involve specific church services or ceremonies.
- Fixed Dates: A significant number of holidays occur on the same date each year.
- Variable Dates: Some holidays, such as Easter Monday, change dates annually based on the lunar calendar.
- Limited Operations: During major holidays, particularly Christmas and Easter, many offices and services within Vatican City may have reduced operations or be closed.
- Check Specific Year: It is always advisable to check the specific dates for the year you are interested in, as some observances may shift or have associated events.
Plan Your Year Around VA Holidays
View Vatican City holidays in calendar mode
Explore public holidays in a visual calendar layout and plan ahead more easily.