Public holiday in Romania
National Day in Romania
Tuesday, December 1, 2026
Nationwide public holiday
Romania’s National Day is a nationwide public holiday on 1 December. It marks the country’s unification with Transylvania in 1918 and is the main civic holiday in the Romanian calendar.
About National Day in Romania
The day is Romania’s principal state holiday and the most visible national civic commemoration in the country. It recognizes the 1918 union that completed the creation of Greater Romania after World War I, so the date is closely tied to Romanian statehood and national identity. As a nationwide public holiday, it is observed across Romania rather than in a single city or region. It also sits at the start of the winter holiday period, so in practice it often comes before a run of seasonal events later in December.
History
Romania’s National Day was moved to 1 December after 1989. The date refers to the Alba Iulia assembly of 1918, when representatives of Transylvania voted for union with the Romanian Kingdom. Before 1989, Romania’s official national day was 23 August.
Traditions
The holiday is marked by official ceremonies, military parades and the display of the Romanian tricolor. Public commemorations often include speeches, wreath-laying and moments of remembrance focused on the 1918 union.
How National Day is celebrated in Romania
In Bucharest and other major cities, the day is typically marked by state-organized events and public gatherings. Many Romanians also use the day for family time or a short winter break, especially when it falls near the weekend.
Interesting facts
The holiday is commonly called Great Union Day in Romania. It is associated with Alba Iulia, the city where the 1918 union was proclaimed.
Dates in published calendars
| Year | Holiday date | Observed date | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 Dec 2026 | — | Nationwide |
Import sources
- Generic ICS feed
An import is not an independent verification.