May Holiday in Italy: May 1 is an Italian holiday so if you're vacationing in Italy you'll find banks and many stores closed but you'll probably come across spring festivals and special events.

Festival season in Italy starts really picking up in May. There are many local food festivals spring festivals, and festivals with historic origins. The Umbria region has several spectacular historic festivals including the medieval and Renaissance festival of Calendimaggio in Assisi, the ring race and procession in Narni, and a race with contestants carrying giant candles in Gubbio.

Attending a local festival is usually great free entertainment, a good way to experience Italian culture, and a chance to try inexpensive local food specialties. Read about these festivals and more in our May Italian Festivals.

Find Festivals in Italy for each month of the year.