Europe is extremely rich in festivals and holidays, be them Christian, pagan or non-religious. Here is a short list encompassing all European countries. National holidays are often accompanied by fireworks, and sometimes processions and official ceremonies. EU-wide celebrations are indicated in bold.
- 1 January : New Year’s Day
- 6 January : Epiphany (Fête des Rois in French)
- 2 February : Candlemas/Imbolc/Saturnalia
- February (second Sunday) : Mother’s Day in Norway
- 13 February : Singles’ Day (especially in France)
- 14 February : Valentine’s Day (lover’s day)
- 16 February : National Day of Lithuania (independence from Russia and Germany in 1918)
- 24 February : National Day of Estonia (independence from Russia in 1918)
- February (variable) : Carnival & Mardi Gras
- 3 March : Liberation Day in Bulgaria (independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1878)
- 8 March : Mother’s Day in ex-Yugoslavia (except Croatia), Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, Belarus and Russia
- March (fourth Sunday in Lent) : Mother’s Day in the UK and Ireland
- 15 March : National Day of Hungary (1848 revolution anniversary)
- 17 March : Saint Patrick’s Day ; National Day of Ireland
- 19 March : Father’s Day in Belgium, Italy, Portugal and Spain (Saint Joseph’s Day)
- 20-21 March : Spring Equinox (official beginning of Spring in some countries)
- 25 March : National Day of Greece (independence from the Ottoman Empire in 1821 and proclamation of the republic in 1921)
- 1 April : All Fools’ Day
- April (variable date) : Good Friday (Christian)
- April (variable date) : Easter Sunday (Christian)
- April (variable date) : Easter Monday (Christian)
- 21 April : Queen’s Official Birthday in the UK
- 30 April : National Day of the Netherlands (Queen’s Day)
- 1 May : Labour Day (excludes UK and Netherlands), May Day
- 3 May : National Day of Poland (Constitution Day)
- May (first Sunday) : Mother’s Day in Hungary, Lithuania, Portugal, Spain
- May (second Sunday) : Mother’s Day in Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia, and Switzerland
- 5 May : (former) Europe Day (anniversary of the foundation of the Council of Europe in 1949)
- 8 May : VE Day (Victory in Europe Day, anniversary of the end of WWII in Europe)
- 9 May : Europe Day (anniversary of the Schuman declaration in 1950)
- 17 May : National Day of Norway (Constitution Day)
- 26 May : Mother’s Day in Poland
- May (last Sunday) : Mother’s Day in France and Sweden
- 30 April to 3 June (variable date) : Ascension Day (Holy Day of Obligation for the Catholics) ; Father’s Day in Germany
- 2 June : National Day of Italy (Republic Day)
- 5 June : National Day of Denmark (Constitution Day)
- 6 June : National Day of Sweden (Constitution Day)
- June (first Sunday) : Father’s Day in Lithuania
- 10 June : National Day of Portugal
- June (second Sunday) : Father’s Day in Austria
- June (third Sunday) : Father’s Day in Bulgaria, France, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Switzerland and the UK.
- 20-21 June : Summer Solstice (official beginning of Summer in some countries ; Pagan bonfire night)
- 23 June : National Day of Luxembourg (Grand Duke’s Official Birthday) ; Father’s Day in Poland
- 24 June : St. John’s Day (bonfire night ; Catholic)
- 25 June : Statehood Day in Slovenia and Croatia (independence from Yugolsavia in 1991)
- 14 July : National Day of France (Bastille Day)
- 21 July : National Day of Belgium (inauguration of Leopold I, first king of the Belgians)
- 1 August : National Day of Switzerland
- 15 August : Assumption of Mary (Catholic) ; National Day of Hungary (country’s foundation) ; Mother’s Day in Antwerp (Belgium), Napoleon’s birthday
- 29 August : National Day of Slovakia (anniversary of the 1944 uprising against the Nazi)
- 1 September : National Day of Slovakia (Constitution Day)
- 3 September : National Day of San Marino (anniversary of the country’s foundation in 301 by Saint Marinus)
- 8 september : National Day of Andorra
- 21 September : Independence Day in Malta
- 22-23 September : Autumn Equinox (official beginning of Autumn in some countries ; former New Year Day in the French Republican Calendar)
- 3 October : National Day of Germany (Unity Day)
- 12 October : National Day of Spain
- 23 October: National Day of Hungary (1956 revolution anniversary)
- 26 October : National Day of Austria (anniversary of the Declaration of Neutrality)
- 28 October : National Day of the Czech Republic (independence from Austro-Hungary in 1918)
- 31 October : Halloween (imported from the USA)
- 1 November : All Saints Day (Catholic)
- 2 November : All Soul’s Day (Catholic)
- 5 November : Guy Fawkes’ Night (bonfire night ; UK)
- 11 November : Armistice Day (end of WWI) ; National Day of Poland (independence from Germany and Russia in 1918)
- November (second Sunday) : Father’s Day in Estonia, Finland, Norway and Sweden
- 18 November : National Day of Latvia (independence from Russia in 1918)
- 19 November : National Day of Monaco
- 1 December : Union Day in Romania
- 6 December : Saint Nicholas’ Day (children’s day ; Catholic); National Day of Finland
- 21-22 December : Winter solstice/Yule (official beginning of Winter in some countries)
- 24 December : Christmas Eve
- 25 December : Christmas Day, anniversary of the coronation of Charlemagne as emperor
- 26 December : Boxing Day / St. Stephen’s Day / Second Day of Christmas (excludes Belgium & Portugal)
- 31 December : New Year’s Eve (Saint Sylvester’s Day)