Italy’s Liberation Day Explained: What You Need to Know

The 25th of April is Liberation Day in Italy. In many cities, there are commemoration events, and it is one of the most popular holidays in Italy. It allows the start of spring holiday weekends as a public holiday: many Italians take advantage of it to spend a few days at the seaside, mountains, or art city.

The 25th of April is one of Italy's most important historical dates: it is the anniversary of the liberation of Italy from the fascist regime and the Nazi occupation on the 25th of April 1945.

It is called Liberation Day and was proposed and confirmed as a national holiday by Alcide De Gasperi, Prime Minister, from the 22nd of April 1946. He issued a lieutenant's decree that read: 'In celebration of the total liberation of Italian territory, the 25th of April 1946 is declared a national holiday'.

It was an unforgettable day, and there are many reconstructions with photos and videos. Sandro Pertini's announcement is very famous: 'Citizens, workers! General strike against the German occupation, against the fascist war, for the salvation of our lands, our homes, our workshops. As in Genoa and Turin, confront the Germans with the dilemma: surrender or perish".

The 25th of April is a public holiday, and therefore all public offices are closed. Banks, the post office, town halls and other public bodies are closed, like schools and some shops.

In many towns, especially in those decorated for military valor for the liberation, events are organised to commemorate this occasion.

The most important event is in Rome: the solemn homage paid by the President of the Republic and the highest state officials to the Unknown Soldier, with the famous laying of the laurel wreath in memory of the fallen and missing in the war.

The 25th of April is one of the first holidays and one of the first long weekends of the year: the Italians take advantage of to go on holiday. Some people choose the sea or the mountains, and other citizens move from one city to another or prefer a weekend at the lake.

Many people do not work and therefore enjoy this special holiday. Many hotels at the seaside and in the mountains open on this holiday.

Every year, April 25th is celebrated across Italy in different ways, from North to South, with official ceremonies, parades, and cultural initiatives. It is a day that brings together memory and participation, involving institutions, associations, and citizens in a shared reflection on the country’s history.

In 2026, those searching for events April 25 Italy 2026 will find a rich and widespread calendar: from institutional celebrations in major cities to local cultural initiatives, each destination offers meaningful ways to commemorate Liberation Day.

Among the most symbolic locations, official ceremonies in Rome remain central, including the homage to the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria and commemorations at sites of memory such as the Fosse Ardeatine. Across the country, museums, historical institutes, and cultural venues host talks, exhibitions, and special events.

Alongside institutional celebrations, there are also concerts, performances, and open-air initiatives that make April 25th a moment of collective sharing. A day that, year after year, reminds us that freedom is a value to protect and live every day.

The 25th of April in Italy is celebrated with events taking place from North to South, including official ceremonies, parades, and cultural initiatives that involve both locals and visitors. Here are some of the best cities where you can experience this day:

• Rome: the capital is the heart of the official celebrations, with the homage to the Unknown Soldier at the Altare della Patria and commemorative moments at the Fosse Ardeatine. The city also comes alive with parades and cultural events in historic districts such as San Lorenzo.

• Milan: the center of the celebrations is Piazza Duomo, the final destination of the traditional city parade that crosses the main streets, accompanied by public events and demonstrations.

• Turin: the day begins with commemorative moments at the Monumental Cemetery and continues with the Liberation Day parade through the city center, ending in Piazza Castello.

• Florence: libraries, museums, and cultural venues host meetings, readings, and initiatives dedicated to the memory of Liberation, in a participatory and widespread atmosphere.

• Naples: between commemorations in historic neighborhoods and special openings of cultural sites such as the Royal Palace and the Pignatelli Museum, the city offers a meaningful way to combine remembrance with cultural discovery.

Different events, but all driven by the same spirit: to remember, year after year, that freedom is not a given, but the result of collective struggle and shared commitment.