7 National Holidays In Europe To Experience

1. St. Patrick’s Day, Ireland: March 17

St. Patrick’s Day may originally be an Irish tradition, but you will find it difficult to escape the celebrations wherever you are in Europe. The only place to really experience this legendary day is in Ireland, and preferably on the streets of Dublin. Expect Guinness by the keg load, plenty of kilts and bagpipes, and a street parade or two to keep you busy.

Insider tip: Most cities in Ireland hold their own St. Patrick’s Day celebrations that are equally entertaining, including Belfast, Cork, Galway, Derry, Kilkenny, Waterford, and Limerick.

2. King’s Day, Netherlands: April 27

Kings Day, or Koningsdag, is one of the Netherlands’ most popular national holidays. The day has its routes in Princess Wilhelmina’s fifth birthday celebrations back in 1885. This day tends to have less to do with history and more with dressing up in orange and taking to the streets (or canals) to party in true Dutch style.

Insider tip: Amsterdam is unsurprisingly the epicentre of Koningsdag celebrations. You will have to plan ahead if you want to snap up accommodation close to the action.

3. Vappu, Finland: April 30 to May 1

Walpurgis Day, or Vappu, is one of Finland’s biggest national holidays. For a few days at the end of April, residents celebrate in style with carnivals, festivals, and copious amounts of sparkling wine and sima. Students also tend to get in on the action, and you can expect the cities across the country to come to life. It’s also a popular festival in other European countries, including the Czech Republic, Estonia, Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands.

Insider tip: Head to a local park on the 1st of May. You’ll likely find dozens of picnicking locals either nursing their hangovers or building up to another big night.

4. St John’s Day, Northern Europe: June 23

Many European countries celebrate the arrival of midsummer. Unsurprisingly, it is more significant in countries that tend to lack plentiful sunshine, such as Sweden, Denmark, Finland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. Depending on where you are, you will find large bonfires, mock weddings, and a range of other traditional celebrations.

Insider tip: If you want a window into your future, then put a flower under your pillow on St John’s Day. Legend has it you will dream of your future husband.

5. Bastille Day, France: July 14

France’s Bastille Day may be one of the most glamorous national celebrations. What started out as a commemoration of the Storming of the Bastille back in 1789 has turned into a globally-recognized event. Every 14th of July sees the country celebrate French National Day in true style. Think French Air Force displays, copious amounts of fireworks, parades, and festivals.

Insider tip: The Eiffel Tower fireworks display is legendary, but you do not have to be in Paris to get the most of Bastille Day. Most French cities, and even a few dozen European neighbours, join in on the celebrations.

6. Belgian National Day, Belgium: July 21

If you are looking for a grand, stately national holiday, then look no further than Belgium’s Independence Day. The day is one of 10 public holidays in the country, and locals celebrate it on the 21st of July each year. There are usually a handful of events across the country, but the focus is understandably on Brussels, where you can expect military processions, fireworks, and a Belgian Air Force flyover.

Insider tip: Most notable buildings in Brussels close for the day, so keep this in mind if you are looking to explore other aspects of the city.

7. San Gennaro Feast Day, Italy: September 19

Like many national holidays in Italy, the Feast Day of San Gennaro has important religious significance for the country’s residents. Naples is usually the focus of the celebrations. Thousands of people fill the Naples Cathedral and adjoining square hoping to catch sight of the saint’s blood liquefy. It is a religious and fairly solemn ceremony, but one that is fascinating to witness.

Insider tip: There’s more to the day than the main event. Many cities close their stores and hold processions for up to eight days.

Most European cities have at least one big annual celebration. If you are looking to experience as many as possible, pick up a Global Pass to get between international destinations with ease.

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