Popular Holidays
National and Public Holidays around the world
Holidays / Festivals / Calendars / Public Holidays / Planning Meetings
Easter – Christian Orthodox
Orthodox Easter: a luminous Christian Orthodox observance marked by midnight liturgies, candlelit processions, red eggs, kulich and family feasts. Holiday type: religious observance (public holiday across many Orthodox nations), rich with local traditions and pilgrimage-worthy rituals.
Ascension Thursday
Ascension Thursday (Ascension Day) — a Christian observance commemorating Jesus’ ascent to heaven 40 days after Easter; public holiday in parts of Europe and Africa. Quiet processions, church services and community rituals mark this reflective spring holiday.
Victoria Day in Canada
Victoria Day (national public holiday) in Canada honors Queen Victoria’s birthday and signals the unofficial start of summer—celebrated with fireworks, parades, and long-weekend cottage trips and festivals across the provinces.
Memorial Day
Memorial Day — national public observance honoring U.S. military who died in service. A solemn remembrance and popular travel weekend of parades, cemetery visits and backyard gatherings, blending reflection with a summer kick-off for travelers and communities.
Spring Bank in UK
Spring Bank Holiday (public holiday) in the UK: a late‑May long weekend for coastal escapes, garden visits and local festivals. Perfect for family staycations, city breaks and seasonal cultural outings across Britain.
Republic Day in Italy
Republic Day in Italy (Festa della Repubblica) — national public holiday on June 2 — commemorates the 1946 referendum and Italian identity. Rome’s military parade, flag ceremonies and civic festivities give travelers a vivid glimpse of modern Italian pride and culture.
Flag Day
Flag Day (national observance): A reflective celebration of the national flag—parades, civic ceremonies and community displays that honor history, identity and patriotism, inviting travelers to visit monuments, museums and local commemorations.
Independence Day
Independence Day (national holiday): a spirited celebration of nationhood, blending parades, fireworks and communal feasts. As a cultural travel highlight, it showcases historic rituals, local pride and vibrant street life—ideal for visitors seeking patriotic pageantry and authentic traditions.
Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha — a major Islamic religious observance and public festival — honors Ibrahim's sacrifice with pilgrimage rites, communal prayers, animal sacrifice, family feasts and zakat. Travelers can witness vibrant local customs, bustling markets and warm hospitality across Muslim-majority regions.
Civic Holiday in Canada
Civic Holiday (local public holiday) — Canada’s municipal August long weekend: a cultural traveler's chance to enjoy neighbourhood festivals, farmers’ markets, and staycations, highlighting local traditions and summer events across towns and cities.
Assumption of Mary in Orthodox
Assumption of Mary (Dormition of the Theotokos) — Orthodox religious observance and festival: August feast marking the Virgin’s peaceful passing and heavenly assumption; pilgrimages, liturgies, and icon veneration draw travelers to monasteries and seaside churches across Orthodox countries.