Christian feast

Assumption of Mary

חג עליית מרים השמימה (15 באוגוסט)

15 August, one of the major Catholic feasts. A public holiday in France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Austria, Belgium, Poland, Greece and Croatia — right at the peak of the European tourist season.

For the traveller

How it affects a trip

In Italy (where it's called Ferragosto) half the country is on holiday: cities empty out, many neighbourhood restaurants close for a week, and the coast and islands are packed and pricey. Plan around it if you're in Italy or France in mid-August.

Q&A

Answers to your questions

When is Assumption of Mary in 2026?
The date varies by country. Soonest: Colombia on Monday 16 August 2027. Full list below.
Which countries observe Assumption of Mary as a public holiday?
Colombia, Malta, Guinea, Slovenia, Luxembourg, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Italy, Cyprus, New Caledonia, Paraguay, Gambia and 30 more.
What's closed on Assumption of Mary?
In countries where it's a public holiday: banks, government offices and most shops close, and public transport shifts to a weekend timetable. Museums and attractions vary — check each one.
Is it a good time to travel around Assumption of Mary?
In Italy (where it's called Ferragosto) half the country is on holiday: cities empty out, many neighbourhood restaurants close for a week, and the coast and islands are packed and pricey. Plan around it if you're in Italy or France in mid-August.

About this page

Written and checked by the Around the World team. We compare prices across the major providers, cross-check official sources, and update when something changes. We have no stake in any one provider — links are affiliate links, and the price is the same for you.

Sources: Holiday dates: date-holidays · Background: Around the World