The calendar of holidays in Albania in 2025 promises many opportunities for celebration and time spent with loved ones. Major religious holidays like Eid al-Fitr, Easter, and Christmas give Albanians of all faiths reasons to gather with family and friends.
National holidays like Independence Day and Liberation Day will be marked with parades, festivals, and reflections on Albania’s autonomy.
Along with international holidays like New Year’s and Labor Day, the Albanians will have many occasions for feasting, exchanging gifts, and enjoying cultural events. Join us as we explore the holidays in Albania in 2025
Public Holidays In Albania In 2025
New Year’s Day
- Family Reunion & Feast: More important than Christmas, New Year’s Eve sees families gather for a grand meal & reunion, even those abroad.
- Goodbye Communism, Hello Celebration: Replacing banned religious gatherings, New Year’s became a festive substitute.
- Lucky Leks & Right Foot: Traditions like hiding a coin in bread & entering homes with the right foot symbolize luck & prosperity.
- Fireworks & Fun: Celebrations extend beyond midnight with fireworks, parties, & visits stretching to January 2nd & 3rd.
- Renewal & Hope: A time to reflect, celebrate, & look forward to new beginnings with loved ones.
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Summer Day
- Celebrates winter’s end, nature’s rebirth, and renewal: Ushers in warmer days after cold months.
- Ancient pagan roots: Deeply connected to pre-Christian traditions and nature reverence.
- Family time and traditions: Shared meals, jumping over bonfires (“shedding fleas”), and exchanging well wishes.
- Celebrated across Albania: Major festival with unique local variations, especially in Elbasan.
- Marks new year in old calendar: Represents symbolic start of a new cycle.
Nowruz
- Spring & Renewal: Marks the arrival of spring, symbolizing new beginnings and growth.
- Religious & Cultural: Celebrates the birthday of Ali for Bektashis while also embracing the broader cultural significance of Nowruz.
- Unity & Tolerance: Shared across religious communities (Sunni, Catholic, Orthodox), fostering interfaith harmony.
- Public Holiday: Recognized as an official holiday, highlighting national importance.
- Ancient Roots: Links to pre-Islamic Albanian traditions of Dita e Verës, celebrating the spring equinox.
Eid al-Fitr
- Marks the end of Ramadan: Celebrates the completion of the month-long spiritual journey of fasting, prayer, and self-reflection.
- Religious & cultural: Mosques filled with prayers, families gather, share meals, and exchange greetings.
- Public holiday: Recognized by the nation, fostering unity and cultural exchange.
- Renewal & hope: Symbolizes new beginnings, forgiveness, and gratitude for blessings.
- Strengthening community: Deepens bonds within the Muslim community and promotes interfaith understanding.
Easter Sunday
- Religious Celebration: Marks Jesus’ resurrection, the core of Christianity, celebrated with church services and traditions.
- Cultural Harmony: Celebrated alongside other faiths in Albania, showcasing religious tolerance and diverse traditions.
- Family Gathering: Time for families to reunite, share meals (lamb!), and celebrate new beginnings.
- Spring Symbolism: Coincides with spring, symbolizing hope, renewal, and joy of life.
- Unique Customs: Egg tapping, candle lighting, and special ceremonies add local flavor to the celebration.
Easter Monday
- Religious celebration: Marks the day after Jesus’ resurrection, reinforcing joy and hope.
- Family gatherings: Time for feasting, sharing painted eggs, and strengthening bonds.
- Special church ceremony: Passing under a symbolic “grave” signifies acknowledging Christ’s sacrifice and gratitude.
- Potential public holiday: Not always official, but businesses and schools might close.
- Springtime tradition: Celebrates renewal and rebirth alongside the Easter season.
Labor Day
- Celebrates workers’ contributions: Recognizes the vital role of labor in Albania’s development.
- Honors workers’ rights: Advocates for fair treatment and decent working conditions.
- Public holiday: Opportunity for relaxation and community festivities.
- Historical roots: Connects to the global labor movement and May Day traditions.
- Potential for action: This can spark discussions about improving workers’ lives.
Eid al-Adha
- Commemorates faith: Marks Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God, uniting Albanian Muslims across generations.
- Celebration & feasting: Joyful gatherings, prayers, delicious meals shared with family & community, strengthening social bonds.
- Charity & Compassion: Meat from sacrifice distributed to the less fortunate, expressing values of generosity & empathy.
- National festivity: Official holiday fostering cultural understanding & religious tolerance in Albania’s diverse society.
- Renewal & reflection: Time for self-reflection, forgiveness, and recommitment to faith and good deeds.
Mother Teresa Day
- Commemorates faith: Marks Prophet Ibrahim’s obedience to God, uniting Albanian Muslims across generations.
- Celebration & feasting: Joyful gatherings, prayers, delicious meals shared with family & community, strengthening social bonds.
- Charity & Compassion: Meat from sacrifice distributed to the less fortunate, expressing values of generosity & empathy.
- National festivity: Official holiday fostering cultural understanding & religious tolerance in Albania’s diverse society.
- Renewal & reflection: Time for self-reflection, forgiveness, and recommitment to faith and good deeds.
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Independence Day
- It marks the end of Ottoman rule, establishing Albania as an independent nation.
- Celebrates unity & identity, uniting Albanians worldwide.
- Honors historical figures like Ismail Qemali and Skanderbeg.
- Symbolizes national pride & resilience after centuries of struggle.
- Day for reflection, celebration, & looking towards the future.
Liberation Day
- Marks the end of Nazi occupation in WWII (Nov. 29, 1944).
- Celebrates sacrifice and resilience of Albanian resistance.
- Symbolizes national freedom and unity.
- Often connected to Independence Day (Nov. 28) for a larger celebration.
- A public holiday with official ceremonies and remembrance.
National Youth Day
- Honors student courage: Celebrates bravery of 1990 protests against dictatorship.
- Empowers youth: Recognizes potential for positive change and action.
- Promotes peace & values: Encourages youth to build a better future.
- National unity: Unites Albanians around shared history and aspirations.
- Investing in the future: Highlights the importance of youth development for national progress.
Christmas Day
- Growing celebration: Despite the Muslim majority, Christmas gains popularity, marking family, togetherness, & secular festive spirit.
- Mixed traditions: Carols, trees, and Santa meet local customs, creating a unique Albanian experience.
- A bridge between faiths: Shared celebration transcends religious lines, promoting community & cultural exchange.
- Religious context: Though not widely emphasized, Christian roots and religious freedom post-communism add significance.
- Emerging holiday: Still evolving under secular & religious influences, shaping future cultural significance.
Holiday | Date | Weekday |
New Year’s Day | Jan 01, 2025 | Wednesday |
New Year’s Day Holiday | Jan 02, 2025 | Thursday |
Summer Day | Mar 14, 2025 | Friday |
Nowruz | Mar 22, 2025 | Saturday |
Eid al-Fitr | Mar 31, 2025 | Monday |
Catholic Easter | Apr 20, 2025 | Sunday |
Orthodox Easter | Apr 20, 2025 | Sunday |
Catholic Easter Monday | Apr 21, 2025 | Monday |
Orthodox Easter Monday | Apr 21, 2025 | Monday |
Labour Day | May 01, 2025 | Thursday |
Eid al-Adha | Jun 07, 2025 | Saturday |
Mother Teresa Day | Sep 05, 2025 | Friday |
Independence Day | Nov 28, 2025 | Friday |
Liberation Day | Nov 29, 2025 | Saturday |
National Youth Day | Dec 08, 2025 | Monday |
Christmas Day | Dec 25, 2025 | Thursday |