No, December 31st (New Year's Eve or San Silvestro) is not a national public holiday in Italy, but it's a significant day with widespread celebrations, and many businesses, shops, and offices close early or entirely, acting like a holiday, with January 1st being the official public holiday for New Year's Day.
The last three public holidays in Italy are the same as many other countries around the world: Christmas Day (Natale) on 25 December, St Stephen's Day (S. Stefano) on 26 December and New Year's Eve (S. Silvestro) on 31 December.
Christmas and New Year's Eve, or December 24 and 31, are special non-working days, DOLE said, and the following pay guidelines should apply. The "no work, no pay" principle shall apply if the employee skips work unless there is a favorable company policy, practice, or collective bargaining agreement.
December 31st is known as New Years Eve. It is not a Bank Holiday and is therefore treated as a working day when it falls on a weekday. Many businesses however close for the days between December 25th and the first working day in January or expect their staff to take leave over these days.
Italian Public Holidays. Will you Travel to Italy during these Dates?
Does December 31 count as a holiday?
No, December 31st (New Year's Eve) is generally not an official public or bank holiday, but it's widely treated as one with many people getting the day off for celebrations, with official holidays usually starting January 1st (New Year's Day). While banks and some businesses might close early or operate on reduced hours, it's more a matter of tradition and company policy, not legal requirement, unlike New Year's Day.
Are Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve normal working days? These are not public holidays so they are normal working days. Normal Sunday rules will apply if they fall on Sundays. Every Christmas and New Year the business puts pressure on staff to work extra hours, often at short notice.
The short answer is no; December 31 is not an official federal holiday. While it marks the end of one year and heralds another with celebrations that often include fireworks, parties, and resolutions for personal growth, it does not carry the same status as holidays like Independence Day or Thanksgiving.
Outside of the Bank Holidays, Monday 29th December through to Wednesday 31st December are considered normal working days. Your team will need to book these 3 days out of their usual holiday entitlement if they want to take the entire Christmas break off work.
No, New Year's Eve (December 31st) isn't a universal public holiday, but it's widely celebrated with festivities, and some countries/businesses treat it as one, while New Year's Day (January 1st) is a common federal/bank holiday. It's often a working day with early closures in places like the US, UK, and Canada, but a full public holiday in countries like Latvia or the Philippines, and a government holiday in Japan, notes Time and Date and Wikipedia.
FESTIVITIES. While not an official public holiday in Italy, December 31 is widely celebrated across the 20 regions. City centers are crowded with the combined revelries of La Festa di San Silvestro and New Year's Eve, which include fireworks, concerts, festivals, dancing, bonfires, and – our favorite – feasts.
Travelers in Italy over New Year should expect widespread closures, especially on January 1. Public offices, banks, post offices, and many small local shops are closed, and many businesses shut early on New Year's Eve.
Death anniversary of the Execution of Jose Rizal, considered by mainstream Filipinos as the de facto national hero. This holiday, which marks the conclusion of the civil year, is between two regular holidays, Rizal Day, and New Year's Day. This holiday is a special non-working day every December 31.
The holiday also provides an opportunity for workers to take a well-deserved break before returning to their regular routines in January. According to Proclamation No. 727, s. 2024, December 31, 2025, is declared a special (non-working) holiday in the Philippines.
Quick Facts. Advertising: Content continues below ad. The New Year's Eve and New Year's Day celebrations in Scotland are known as Hogmanay and may last into January 2, an annual bank holiday. This holiday is marked with parties, specially prepared foods and the custom of first footing.
Across the Atlantic in the United States, things look quite different. Here too, December 31st is not designated as a federal banking holiday; rather it operates like any other business day with standard hours at most institutions.
In short, no—December 31st is not recognized as a federal holiday in the United States. While it marks the end of one year and the beginning of another, it does not carry with it any official status that would grant workers time off or special observances mandated by law.
December 31st in England, known as New Year's Eve, is a night of widespread celebration with parties, pub gatherings, and large fireworks displays in cities like London, marking the transition to the new year at midnight with singing "Auld Lang Syne," toasts, and good wishes, though it's not a public holiday, so most people work during the day. Traditional customs include "first-footing" (the first person to cross the threshold in the new year bringing good luck) and opening back doors to let the old year out.
The situation varies and may depend on your hours of work, whether your place of work is open on bank holidays, and crucially, what your contract says. Unfortunately, when it comes to bank holidays, whether or not staff have to work is up to their employer, and you don't have to be paid more if you do.
According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, New Year's Day is considered to be one of 11 federal holidays throughout the year, while New Year's Eve is not classified as a federal holiday.
In practice, most private sector employers in the U.S. give their employees the day off for national holidays, or pay them time-and-a-half for working on the day. Some companies offer a floating holiday, which the employee can take at any time.
