List of European festivals and holidays
Europe is extremely rich in festivals and holidays, be them Christian, pagan or non-religious. Here is a short list encompassing all European countries. National holidays are often accompanied by fireworks, and sometimes processions and official ceremonies. EU-wide celebrations are indicated in bold.
1 January : New Year's Day
6 January : Epiphany (Fête des Rois in French)
2 February : Candlemas/Imbolc/Saturnalia
February (second Sunday) : Mother's Day in Norway
13 February : Singles' Day (especially in France)
14 February : Valentine's Day (lover's day)
16 February : National Day of Lithuania (independence from Russia and Germany in 1918)
24 February : National Day of Estonia (independence from Russia in 1918)
February (variable) : Carnival & Mardi Gras
3 March : Liberation Day in Bulgaria (independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878)
8 March : Mother's Day in ex-Yugoslavia (except Croatia), Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia
March (fourth Sunday in Lent) : Mother's Day in the UK and Ireland
15 March : National Day of Hungary (1848 revolution anniversary)
17 March : Saint Patrick's Day ; National Day of Ireland
19 March : Father's Day in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain (Saint Joseph's Day)
20-21 March : Spring Equinox (official beginning of Spring in some countries)
25 March : National Day of Greece (independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 and proclamation of the republic in 1921)
1 April : All Fools' Day
April (variable date) : Good Friday (Christian)
April (variable date) : Easter Sunday (Christian)
April (variable date) : Easter Monday (Christian)
21 April : Queen's Official Birthday in the UK
30 April : National Day of the Netherlands (Queen's Day)
1 May : Labour Day (excludes UK and Netherlands), May Day
3 May : National Day of Poland (Constitution Day)
May (first Sunday) : Mother's Day in Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain
May (second Sunday) : Mother's Day in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Switzerland
5 May : (former) Europe Day (anniversary of the foundation of the Council of Europe in 1949)
8 May : VE Day (Victory in Europe Day, anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe)
9 May : Europe Day (anniversary of the Schuman declaration in 1950)
17 May : National Day of Norway (Constitution Day)
26 May : Mother's Day in Poland
May (last Sunday) : Mother's Day in France and Sweden
30 April to 3 June (variable date) : Ascension Day (Holy Day of Obligation for the Catholics) ; Father's Day in Germany
2 June : National Day of Italy (Republic Day)
5 June : National Day of Denmark (Constitution Day)
6 June : National Day of Sweden (Constitution Day)
June (first Sunday) : Father's Day in Lithuania
10 June : National Day of Portugal
June (second Sunday) : Father's Day in Austria
June (third Sunday) : Father's Day in Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland and the UK.
20-21 June : Summer Solstice (official beginning of Summer in some countries ; Pagan bonfire night)
23 June : National Day of Luxembourg (Grand Duke's Official Birthday) ; Father's Day in Poland
24 June : St. John's Day (bonfire night ; Catholic)
25 June : Statehood Day in Slovenia and Croatia (independence from Yugolsavia in 1991)
14 July : National Day of France (Bastille Day)
21 July : National Day of Belgium (inauguration of Leopold I, first king of the Belgians)
1 August : National Day of Switzerland
15 August : Assumption of Mary (Catholic) ; National Day of Hungary (country's foundation) ; Mother's Day in Antwerp (Belgium), Napoleon's birthday
29 August : National Day of Slovakia (anniversary of the 1944 uprising against the Nazi)
1 September : National Day of Slovakia (Constitution Day)
3 September : National Day of San Marino (anniversary of the country's foundation in 301 by Saint Marinus)
8 september : National Day of Andorra
21 September : Independence Day in Malta
22-23 September : Autumn Equinox (official beginning of Autumn in some countries ; former New Year Day in the French Republican Calendar)
3 October : National Day of Germany (Unity Day)
12 October : National Day of Spain
23 October: National Day of Hungary (1956 revolution anniversary)
26 October : National Day of Austria (anniversary of the Declaration of Neutrality)
28 October : National Day of the Czech Republic (independence from Austro-Hungary in 1918)
31 October : Halloween (imported from the USA)
1 November : All Saints Day (Catholic)
2 November : All Soul's Day (Catholic)
5 November : Guy Fawkes' Night (bonfire night ; UK)
11 November : Armistice Day (end of WWI) ; National Day of Poland (independence from Germany and Russia in 1918)
November (second Sunday) : Father's Day in Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden
18 November : National Day of Latvia (independence from Russia in 1918)
19 November : National Day of Monaco
1 December : Union Day in Romania
6 December : Saint Nicholas' Day (children's day ; Catholic); National Day of Finland
21-22 December : Winter solstice/Yule (official beginning of Winter in some countries)
24 December : Christmas Eve
25 December : Christmas Day, anniversary of the coronation of Charlemagne as emperor
26 December : Boxing Day / St. Stephen's Day / Second Day of Christmas (excludes Belgium & Portugal)
31 December : New Year's Eve (Saint Sylvester's Day)
|
|
