Italy’s 2026–27 school year starts in September, although the exact first day differs by region. The earliest published return date is 7 September, while the latest is 17 September 2026.
For families with children in Italian schools, the important dates are not limited to the first day of term. Christmas, Easter, national public holidays and locally set closures all influence childcare, travel and everyday routines. Unlike countries with a single national school timetable, Italy leaves much of the calendar to regional authorities.
The Italian school system explained
School is compulsory in Italy until the age of 16. Pupils generally move through the following stages:
- Scuola dell’infanzia: Nursery or kindergarten
- Scuola primaria: Primary school, generally for children aged 6–11
- Scuola secondaria di primo grado: Lower secondary school, generally ages 11–14
- Scuola secondaria di secondo grado: Upper secondary school, generally ages 14–18
The Ministry of Education establishes national school holidays, while regions determine their own teaching calendars. This is why the start of lessons, Carnival closures, local public holidays and end-of-year arrangements can vary considerably across Italy.
Key Italy school holiday dates for 2026–27
The following dates apply nationwide during the 2026–27 school year:
Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
4 October 2026 | St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of Italy |
1 November 2026 | All Saints’ Day |
8 December 2026 | |
25 December 2026 | Christmas Day |
26 December 2026 | St Stephen’s Day |
1 January 2027 | New Year’s Day |
6 January 2027 | Epiphany |
29 March 2027 | Easter Monday |
25 April 2027 | |
1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
2 June 2027 |
Several of those national holidays fall at weekends in 2026–27. St Francis of Assisi, on 4 October 2026, and All Saints’ Day, on 1 November 2026, are both Sundays. Liberation Day, on 25 April 2027, also falls on a Sunday, while Labour Day, on 1 May 2027, is a Saturday.
Regional school calendars and local closures
Italy’s regional authorities set the start and end of the school year, along with additional non-teaching days. Common additions include the 7 December 2026 bridge day, linking the Immaculate Conception holiday to the weekend, and 2 November 2026, following All Saints’ Day.
Several regions have published a 7 December closure, including Valle d’Aosta, Liguria, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Umbria, Abruzzo, Campania, Puglia, Calabria and Sicily.
A 2 November closure is listed for Emilia-Romagna, Umbria, Campania, Calabria, Sicily and Sardinia. Veneto’s autumn break is scheduled to include 30 October–2 November 2026.
Individual municipalities and schools may have further closures for patron saints’ days, local festivals and other local arrangements. These are not uniform across a region.
How long are Italy’s summer school holidays?
For many families, the summer break is the biggest date in the school calendar. Italian schools generally finish for the summer around the middle of June, with pupils returning in September. That usually means a break of roughly 11 to 13 weeks, depending on the region and the school’s final teaching day.
What the 2026–27 calendar means for families
The timing of school holidays in Italy shapes so much of family life, from when you can get away together to what sort of activities are on the cards. With the long summer break and several key holidays dotted throughout the year, families often use the calendar to squeeze in that big trip.
You might fancy a long weekend on the slopes in the Dolomites, or perhaps a quick Christmas escape to Puglia for a change of scene. Visit a few of Italy's UNESCO World Heritage Sites for a dip into cultural history, or check out the country's many family-friendly festivals.
If you're a foodie, you could go on a pasta tour with the kids, sampling typical Italian pasta dishes. Knowing the school calendar means you can avoid the busiest (and usually priciest) travel weeks, find spots that aren’t overrun, and make sure the kids have real downtime before heading back to lessons.
Explore the holiday rentals available in Italy for your next family trip, and if you decide to stay long-term, there are plenty of properties for sale in Italy to fall in love with.
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