Thanksgiving in Italy 2026: What’s Open and What’s On

Thanksgiving in Italy is a normal working day: Italians don’t celebrate it, so shops, museums and restaurants keep their usual hours on Thursday, November 26, 2026. That makes Thanksgiving week a good time to travel. Christmas markets open, the lights go on and the big summer crowds are gone. Here is what’s on that week, what to expect and how to plan it.

Last updated: October 21, 2026. We checked the dates below on Italy’s law on public holidays, the US federal holiday calendar and the official event and tourism pages listed at the end, on that date.

Thanksgiving in Italy at a glance

Is Thanksgiving a holiday in Italy?

No. Italy’s list of public holidays, set by law, has no date in late November. The nearest public holidays are All Saints’ Day on November 1 and the Immaculate Conception on December 8. So on November 26 and 27, 2026, everything runs as on any other weekday.

For American travelers, that’s mostly good news. Museums, trains and shops follow their normal schedules, and you won’t find holiday closures. However, you also won’t find turkey on most menus, because Thanksgiving dinner isn’t an Italian tradition.

Black Friday in Italy

Black Friday has become a regular part of Italian shopping, both online and in stores. In a 2025 survey by Confcommercio and Format Research, reported by the Italpress news agency, about 70% of Italians planned to buy something during Black Friday week. In 2026 it falls on Friday, November 27, and many chains stretch it into a “Black Week”.

Don’t confuse it with the official winter sales (saldi), which come after the holidays on dates set by each region. If you’re shopping for leather or fashion, compare prices before you buy, because discounts vary by store.

What’s on in Italy during Thanksgiving week 2026

Christmas markets open

Thanksgiving week is when the Alpine Christmas markets start. The Trento market runs from November 20, 2026 to January 6, 2027, open daily from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm, according to Visit Trento. The Bolzano and Merano markets both open on Thursday, November 26, 2026, the same day as Thanksgiving, and run to January 6, 2027. On opening day, Bolzano lights its tree at 5:00 pm, and Merano opens from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm. See our guides to the Bolzano Christmas market, the Merano Christmas market and the Trento Christmas market.

Christmas lights and truffles

In Turin, the Luci d’Artista light installations stay on until January 10, 2027, so you’ll see them that week. Truffle season is also in full swing: the San Miniato market in Tuscany is listed for a last weekend on November 28–29, 2026 (the organizer hadn’t confirmed the dates when we checked), and the Alba fair in Piedmont runs until December 6. Read our guide to the truffle festivals in Italy.

Just before Thanksgiving

If you arrive a few days early, two big events fall the weekend before. Venice celebrates the Festa della Salute on Saturday, November 21, and the Nitto ATP Finals in Turin end on Sunday, November 22.

Weather and daylight in late November

Days are short. In Rome, the sun sets at about 4:41 pm on November 26, 2026, according to timeanddate.com, and it’s dark soon after 5:00 pm. So plan outdoor sights for the morning and keep museums, markets and dinners for the evening. Pack layers and a rain jacket, especially for the north and the mountains.

Thanksgiving dinner in Italy

Since Italians don’t celebrate the holiday, a traditional Thanksgiving dinner is hard to find. We couldn’t confirm any 2026 Thanksgiving dinners or services open to visitors on an official source. If a turkey dinner matters to you, ask your hotel or book a rental with a kitchen and shop at a local market.

Alternatively, make it an Italian feast. Late November brings white truffles and new olive oil, so a long dinner in a trattoria is a fine way to give thanks. Our guide to trattoria, osteria and ristorante helps you choose.

Plan your Thanksgiving trip to Italy

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To compare routes, start with our flights to Italy guide or flights to Italy on Expedia. For a festive base in the Alps, compare hotels in Bolzano on Expedia, and taste the market on this Christmas edition Bolzano street food tour. Then see our guides to Italy in November and the events in Italy in November.

Sources and verification

On October 21, 2026, we checked Italy’s law on public holidays (Law 260 of 1949) on Normattiva, the US Office of Personnel Management’s federal holiday calendar, Visit Trento, the Bolzano tourist office and the South Tyrol tourism site, VisitPiemonte on Luci d’Artista, Visit Tuscany and italia.it on the San Miniato market, the Alba truffle fair’s official site and the Nitto ATP Finals site. Black Friday figures come from Italpress’s report on the Confcommercio survey, and sunset times from timeanddate.com.

If you’re in Turin that week, the Luci d’Artista light festival is on until January 10, 2027.

Frequently asked questions

Is Thanksgiving a holiday in Italy?

No. Thanksgiving isn’t celebrated in Italy, and November 26, 2026 is a normal working day, so shops, museums and restaurants keep their usual hours.

Are shops, museums and restaurants open in Italy on Thanksgiving Day 2026?

Yes. There’s no Italian holiday in late November, so everything follows its normal weekday schedule. Check each museum’s weekly closing day as usual.

Is Black Friday a thing in Italy, and when is it in 2026?

Yes. Black Friday is now common in Italian stores and online, and in 2026 it falls on Friday, November 27. Many chains run offers for the whole week.

What time does the sun set in Rome in late November?

On November 26, 2026, the sun sets in Rome at about 4:41 pm, according to timeanddate.com.

What events are on in Italy during Thanksgiving week 2026?

The Bolzano and Merano Christmas markets open on November 26, Trento’s market has been open since November 20, and Turin’s Luci d’Artista lights are on. Truffle fairs continue in San Miniato and Alba.