Public Holidays in Holy See (Vatican)
Statutory public holidays in Holy See (Vatican), with the dates that give people the day off, how the calendar is set, and what it means for travel, cities and culture.
Holy See (Vatican) at a glance
Vatican City’s public holidays follow the Catholic liturgical calendar, with the election or inauguration of the Pope also marked. The country is the smallest sovereign state in the world.
Because the Vatican is a working enclave inside Rome, observances are closely tied to the papal calendar and the great feast days.
Holy See (Vatican) public holidays 2026
Holy See (Vatican) has 29 public holidays in 2026 – the statutory days off. The table below lists those public holidays; observances and other non-statutory dates are not part of the total.
| Holiday | Date | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God | Jan 1Thu | National |
| Epiphany | Jan 6Tue | National |
| Anniversary of the Foundation of Vatican City | Feb 11Wed | National |
| Saint Joseph's Day | Mar 19Thu | National |
| Maundy Thursday | Apr 2Thu | National |
| Good Friday | Apr 3Fri | National |
| Holy Saturday | Apr 4Sat | National |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5Sun | National |
| Easter Monday | Apr 6Mon | National |
| Easter Tuesday | Apr 7Tue | National |
| Saint Joseph the Worker's Day | May 1Fri | National |
| Anniversary of the Election of the Holy Father | May 8Fri | National |
Showing 12 of 29 public holidays for 2026.
Major cities in Holy See (Vatican)
The urban centres that anchor most trips to Holy See (Vatican).
Vatican City
An enclave of basilica, museums and gardens inside Rome, the world's smallest state.
Top attractions in Holy See (Vatican)
The places that draw most visitors to Holy See (Vatican).
St Peter's Basilica
A vast Renaissance basilica over the tomb of St Peter, crowned by Michelangelo's dome.
Sistine Chapel
Michelangelo's frescoed ceiling and Last Judgement, within the papal palace.
Vatican Museums
One of the world's great art collections, ending in the Sistine Chapel.
St Peter's Square
Bernini's colonnaded square where papal audiences and blessings are held.
Vatican Gardens
Walled gardens of fountains and lawns covering much of the state.
Castel Sant'Angelo
Hadrian's mausoleum turned papal fortress, linked to the Vatican by a passage.
Festivals, food and getting around Holy See (Vatican)
What the calendar looks like on the ground, and how to move through the country around it.
Festivals behind the holidays
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New Year's Day
Falls on Jan 1
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Epiphany
Falls on Jan 6
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Anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City
Falls on Feb 11
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Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis
Falls on Mar 13
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Fathers' Day
Falls on Mar 19
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St Joseph's Day
Falls on Mar 19
Food & drink
Getting around
The Vatican is reached on foot from central Rome; St Peter's and the museums are served by the metro and buses.
Travelling around Holy See (Vatican)’s holidays
What the dates mean once you are there.
Book around the peaks
Transport and hotels in Holy See (Vatican) tighten around major holidays; reserve early for the busiest weeks.
Check opening hours
Museums, banks and government offices usually close on statutory holidays, and often on the nearest Monday.
Carry local currency
Small vendors and rural businesses frequently take cash only, especially on holidays when banks are shut.
Expect crowded transport
Long weekends produce the year's heaviest road, rail and air traffic. Build in extra travel time.
Confirm the official list
Holy See (Vatican)'s holiday dates are confirmed by government announcement; check the year page for the final arrangement.
Plan the long weekends
Pairing a holiday with adjacent weekends gives the longest breaks of the year — and the busiest.
Holy See (Vatican) public holidays: common questions
How many public holidays does Holy See (Vatican) have?
Holy See (Vatican) has 29 public holidays in 2026, counting every date typed National, Substitute or Bank in our calendar. Observances, religious dates and regional holidays are listed separately and left out of the total, because they are not days off across the whole country.
Where can I find the full 2026 list?
The complete 2026 calendar for Holy See (Vatican) is on the year page, with every recorded date in order.
Are Holy See (Vatican)'s public holidays paid?
Statutory national holidays are generally paid leave for employees. Observances and commemorative days are usually not.
Do holidays move if they fall on a weekend?
Where a holiday falls on a weekend, Holy See (Vatican) typically observes it on the nearest weekday. Check the year page for the confirmed arrangement.
Are there regional holidays in Holy See (Vatican)?
Some holidays are observed only in certain regions or by certain communities. The year page lists what applies nationally.
Which years are covered for Holy See (Vatican)?
Calendars are published for 2026, 2025.
School holidays in Holy See
School term dates in Holy See
School calendar data last updated 10 Sep 2026. Dates come from education ministries and local education authorities; always re-check with the school before booking travel.