Public holiday in Italy
Easter Monday in Italy
Monday, April 6, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Easter Monday is a nationwide public holiday in Italy the day after Easter Sunday. In Italy it is commonly known as Pasquetta, and it is widely used for short outings and family gatherings.
About Easter Monday in Italy
In Italy, Easter Monday extends the Easter period by one more public-holiday day across the whole country. It is a practical day off for many people and is often associated with trips outside the city, shared meals and informal time with family or friends. The holiday comes immediately after Easter Sunday, so it is usually experienced as part of the same seasonal break rather than as a separate occasion with its own formal ceremonies. In everyday Italian usage, the name Pasquetta is far more common than the literal calendar name.
History
Easter Monday became part of Italy’s modern holiday calendar through the country’s Christian and civic tradition of marking the days after Easter as a continued observance. The popular name Pasquetta, meaning “little Easter,” reflects the fact that the day has long been treated as a lighter extension of Easter rather than a distinct feast day.
Traditions
A common Italian custom on Pasquetta is to spend the day outdoors with relatives or friends, often with a picnic or a simple meal in the countryside, at the coast or in a park. Grilled food, picnic baskets and shared leftovers from Easter meals are typical, and many families make short day trips.
How Easter Monday is celebrated in Italy
Today, Easter Monday is widely used for informal travel, outdoor excursions and family time. Public life is quieter than on an ordinary weekday, and many people plan one-day outings or lunches away from home instead of formal religious observance.
Interesting facts
Pasquetta is one of the best-known informal holiday names in Italy, and it is used more often than “Easter Monday” in everyday speech. The day is often treated as the first opportunity after Easter Sunday for a spring outing, which is why it is closely associated with picnics and short trips.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 Apr 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.