Civil and religious feasts
The Sammarinese calendar alternates civil feasts, anchored to historical events of the Republic, and religious recurrences inherited from the Catholic tradition. Some dates coincide with Italian holidays, others are specific to the Republic: 5 February, 25 March, 28 July and 3 September mark identity moments rooted in the centuries-long history of the State.
The two investitures of the Captains Regent, on 1 April and 1 October, are among the most recognisable moments of the ceremonial: a procession in historical dress moves from the Public Palace to the Basilica of Saint Marinus, where the handover of duties takes place between the outgoing and the incoming Regency.
«A small country recognises itself by its feasts. In San Marino, the handover between the Captains Regent is the oldest republican ceremony in Europe at six-monthly cadence.»
Official dates and recurrences
| Date | Festivity | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day | Civil |
| 6 January | Epiphany | Religious |
| 5 February | Feast of Saint Agatha, co-patron of the Republic, and anniversary of the Liberation from the Alberoni occupation (1740) | Civil and religious |
| 25 March | Anniversary of the Arengo of 1906 and Feast of the Militia | Civil |
| March-April | Easter and Easter Monday (variable dates) | Religious |
| 1 April | First investiture ceremony of the Captains Regent | Institutional ceremony |
| 1 May | Labour Day | Civil |
| June (variable) | Corpus Christi, solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ, accompanied by the institutional procession | Civil and religious |
| 28 July | Anniversary of the fall of fascism in San Marino (1943) | Civil |
| 15 August | Assumption of Mary (Ferragosto) | Religious |
| 3 September | National day · Anniversary of the foundation of the Republic | Civil |
| 1 October | Second investiture ceremony of the Captains Regent | Institutional ceremony |
| 1 November | All Saints' Day | Religious |
| 2 November | Commemoration of the Faithful Departed | Religious |
| 8 December | Immaculate Conception | Religious |
| 25 December | Christmas | Religious |
| 26 December | Saint Stephen | Religious |
| 31 December | New Year's Eve | Civil |
Five recurrences specific to the Republic
Alberoni Liberation
In 1740 Cardinal Giulio Alberoni attempted to impose the annexation of the Republic to the Papal State. The intervention of Pope Clement XII restored sovereignty to San Marino. The date is also the Feast of Saint Agatha, co-patron.
Arengo of 1906
The Arengo of 1906 returned to the sovereign people the right to elect the members of the Great and General Council, closing the long period of restricted Arengo. It is celebrated together with the Feast of the Militia.
Investiture of the Captains Regent
Twice a year the incoming Captains Regent take their oath. The historical procession from the Public Palace to the Basilica of Saint Marinus is one of the most reproduced images of the Republic.
Foundation of the Republic
Tradition dates the foundation of the community of Saint Marinus to 3 September 301 AD. It is the great feast in the City of San Marino, with civil and religious celebrations.