Calendar of public and bank holidays across 45+ European countries for 2026. Whether you are planning a city break, avoiding closed museums, or timing a shopping trip around sales, this is the hub for dates, regional exceptions and travel impact.

What you will find in this section

• Country-by-country holiday calendars for the current and upcoming year
• Fixed dates (Christmas, New Year, Labour Day) vs moving dates (Easter-linked holidays)
• Regional holidays that vary by state, canton or autonomous region
• Practical travel impact: which museums, shops, banks and attractions close
• Long-weekend opportunities and “bridge day” traditions across Europe

Key holidays across Europe in 2026

• New Year’s Day — Thursday 1 January 2026
• Good Friday / Easter Monday — 3 & 6 April 2026
• Labour Day (1 May) — Friday, triggering long weekends in most countries
• Ascension Day — Thursday 14 May 2026
• Whit Monday (Pentecost) — Monday 25 May 2026
• Assumption (15 August) — Saturday; some countries extend observance
• All Saints’ Day (1 November) — Sunday 2026; observed in most Catholic countries
• Christmas — 25-26 December 2026 (Friday-Saturday)

Want a specific country? See our guides for Europe or check the individual country pages linked below.

FAQ

Do shops close on public holidays in Europe?

Mostly yes, especially on Sundays and major holidays. Germany, Austria, Switzerland enforce strict Sunday closures (only bakeries, petrol stations and a few train-station shops stay open). Spain and Italy are similar on big holidays. UK, France, Ireland are more relaxed — many shops open on bank holidays.

Will public transport run on holidays?

Usually yes on reduced “Sunday” schedules. Major exceptions: Christmas Day (25 Dec), most rail and bus stops by early afternoon; New Year’s Eve (evening services cut short); Labour Day (1 May) in France and Italy has reduced service. Local buses in smaller towns may not run at all on holidays.

When are schools out in Europe?

Summer break: mid-June to early September depending on country. Easter break: typically 1-2 weeks around Good Friday. Christmas break: ~2 weeks from mid-December. National “autumn break” (Oct-Nov, Hallstreiterferien in Germany, Saint-Martin in parts of France) affects travel prices. Family travel peaks — book early.

Can I visit museums on public holidays?

Most major museums close on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, 1 May (Labour Day) and often Easter Sunday. Italy’s state museums open free on the first Sunday of every month. Paris’s Louvre and Musée d’Orsay close on Tuesdays not Mondays (unusual). Always check specific dates on the museum’s website before travelling.

Are long weekends (bridges) something travelers should plan around?

Yes — “bridge days” (ponte in Italian, pont in French, Brückentag in German) happen when a holiday falls on a Tuesday or Thursday and locals take the Monday/Friday off, creating a 4-day weekend. Expect: doubled hotel prices in popular escapes, road congestion, packed trains. Book earlier or go the other direction.