Europe has been a land of culture and traditions, but at the same time it is also the land of folklores and myths. Hence, across the countries of Europe there are many holidays observed which have interesting stories and historical significances behind them. Some of these holidays have traditions which date back to the ancient and medieval period. Hence, if you have decided to make Europe your next holiday destination you may find it interesting to learn about the holidays observed in Europe.

Europe always makes an interesting tourist destination. It becomes even more special if you can plan your trip during the holidays. You can taste the true flavor of the culture and traditions of that special country only during the holidays. Check out our following list of Europe holidays to adjust your time to visit European states accordingly.

Holidays of the European Union

The European Union is the economic-political confederation of the European countries where they have come together under single governance for monetary policies and for political cooperation. To date European Union has 27 states as members.

The European Union therefore has a list of holidays that are observed in all the member states of the union on the same day. Following is the list of Europe holidays that has been approved by the Union.

• 1 January, New Year's Day: The first day of the year is considered as the New Year’s Day. Since most of the European nations follow the Gregorian calendar their New Year’s Day coincides on 1st day of January. The New Year’s Day is the national holiday in all the countries of Europe.
  
  
• 1 May, Labor Day: European Union has recognized 1st May as the Labor Day to commemorate the day of Labor movement. The day is recognized as the day of labor empowerment and therefore has been declared as a holiday across Europe.
  
  In UK, however, the first Monday of the month of May is recognized as the Labor Day. In Poland the Labor Day is celebrated as the State Holiday of Poland or Swieto Panstwowe.
  
  
• 25 December, Christmas Day: December 25th is observed as the Christmas Day across Globe and European Union isn’t an exception. Since Christianity is the predominant religion of the European Union countries, December 25th has been recognized as the holiday for all its members.
  
  
• 26 December, Boxing Day / St. Stephen's Day: 26th December or the day after Christmas is observed as the Boxing Day. Especially in UK this day has been reserved for opening the gifts received on the day of Christmas.
  
  Boxing Day however isn’t observed in Belgium, France, Malta, Portugal and Slovenia. Slovenia celebrates 26th December as Independence and Unity Day.
  
  
• Good Friday: Although the date for Good Friday may vary according to the calendar, but most of the Christian believe that crucifixion of Jesus happened on a Friday and they observe the day as Good Friday to commemorate the historical happening.
  
  Good Friday however isn’t observed in countries like- Belgium, Czech Republic, Italy, Ireland, the Netherlands, Poland, and Slovenia
  
  
• Easter Sunday: According to the Gospels, Jesus resurrected on the third day after his crucifixion and hence, it is a very pious day for the Christian community. Easter Sunday is therefore celebrated across the Christian countries. The European Union has included Easter Sunday in the list of Europe holidays and it remains a holiday in all the European countries.
  
  
• Easter Monday: The Monday following the Easter Sunday is also celebrated as a holiday in many nations across the globe, especially by those who follow the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox cultures. Since most of the European Union members are heavily influenced by Christianity the European Union has decided to include Easter Monday too in their list.

Estonia, Malta, Portugal, Scotland and many parts of Spain however don’t celebrate Easter Monday as holiday.

Additional list of country wise list of holidays

In addition to the list of holidays published by the European Union different European countries also have their list of special regional and national holidays, which they also celebrate with equal fervor. Following is therefore a list of Europe holidays which are as interesting as the big national celebrations.

Holidays in Belgium

• New Year's Day
• Easter
• Easter Monday
• Labor Day
• Ascension (6th Tuesday after Easter)
• Pentecost (7th Sunday after Easter)
• Pentecost Monday (8th Monday after Easter, national holiday)
• Assumption of Mary (August 15)
• All Saints Day (November 1)
• Armistice Day
• Christmas

Holidays in Denmark

• New Year's Day
• The Thursday before Easter Sunday
• Good Friday
• Easter Sunday
• Easter Monday
• General Prayer day (The 4th Friday after Easter)
• Ascension Day (40 Days after Easter)
• Whit Sunday (7 weeks after Easter)
• Whit Monday (The Monday after Whit Sunday)
• Christmas (December 25 First Day of Christmas)
• December 26 (Second Day of Christmas)

Holidays in Germany

• New Year's Day
• Epiphany (6 January)
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• Labor Day
• Ascension Day
• Whit Monday
• Corpus Christi
• Peace Festival
• Assumption Day
• German Unity Day
• Reformation Day (31 October )
• All Saints (1 November)
• Day of Repentance and Prayer
• Christmas Day
• St Stephen's Day

Holidays in United Kingdom

• New Year's Day (January 1)
• St. Patrick's Day (March 17, in Northern Ireland)
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• May Day Bank Holiday (1st Monday in May)
• Spring Bank Holiday (last Monday of May)
• Orangeman's Holiday (July 12 in Northern Ireland only)
• Late Summer Bank Holiday (Last Monday of August)
• Christmas Day
• Boxing Day (December 26)

Holidays in Spain

• New Year Day
• Epiphany
• Regional holiday (February 28th)
• regional Holiday (1st March)
• St. Joseph's Day (March 19th)
• Maundy Thursday
• Good Friday
• Easter Monday
• regional Holiday (April 23rd)
• Labor Day
• Galician Literature Day (May 17)
• Regional Holiday (May 30)
• Regional Holiday (May 31)
• Corpus Christi (May/June)
• Regional Holiday (June 9)
• St. John's Day (June 24)
• Saint James (July 25)
• Assumption (national holiday, August 15)
• Municipal Holiday (September 2)
• Regional Holiday (September 8)
• National Day of Catalonia (September 11)
• Regional Holiday (October 9 )
• Fiesta Nacional de España (national holiday, October 12)
• Day of the Basque Country (October 25, will be observed from 2011)
• All Saints Day (national holiday, November 1)
• La Almudena (November 9)
• December 6 Constitution Day (national holiday)
• Immaculate Conception (national holiday, December 8)
• December 25 Christmas Day (national holiday)
• December 26 St. Stephen's Day
• Feast of the Sacrifice (Islamic holiday)