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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)



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