Next: 15 Aug 2027
Assumption and Ferragosto
Mid-August: the feast of the Virgin Mary, a holiday of the beach, big lunches, flowers and herb blessings.
When is Assumption and Ferragosto in 2027?
Assumption and Ferragosto 2027 is on Sunday, 15 August 2027. Other years: 2026, Saturday, 15 August 2026; 2028, Tuesday, 15 August 2028.
About Assumption and Ferragosto
The Assumption of Mary, on 15 August, is a major feast in Catholic and Orthodox Europe. In Italy it combines with Ferragosto, which started as a feast of the Roman emperor Augustus, and is the peak of the summer holidays. Cities empty as families head to the sea or mountains for long lunches, and each region has its processions. In Poland, women bring bundles of flowers, herbs and grain to be blessed, the Matka Boska Zielna. In Greece, the Dekapentavgoustos pilgrimage on Tinos draws many thousands to the shrine of Panagia Evangelistria, and in France, Marian processions are held at Lourdes and elsewhere, with candlelit processions at night. In Malta, village feasts have bands and fireworks.
Assumption and Ferragosto dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Assumption and Ferragosto date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Saturday, 15 August 2026 |
| 2027 | Sunday, 15 August 2027 |
| 2028 | Tuesday, 15 August 2028 |
What is eaten
- melon
- prosciutto
- grilled fish
- watermelon
Traditions of Assumption and Ferragosto
Also part of it, and being written: Tinos (The Greek island of pilgrimage.).
More marked on Assumption and Ferragosto
🇭🇷 Sinj, CroatiaSinjska Alka
An annual jousting tournament in Sinj where galloping riders strike a hanging ringGame
🇱🇮 Vaduz, LiechtensteinLiechtenstein National DayStaatsfeiertag Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein's national holiday celebrated with castle speeches, bonfires and fireworksCeremony
🇧🇪 Antwerp, Belgium and 2 moreOmmegangommegang (Dutch)
Medieval town processions of the Low Countries, with giants, guilds and horsesCeremony
🇮🇹 Rome, Italy and 4 moreMarian feast days
Holy days across the liturgical year celebrating the life and veneration of Mary.Spiritual
🇵🇱 Kraków, Poland and 5 moreDozhinkiDożynki
A Slavic harvest festival of the last sheaf, a woven wreath and a shared mealSeasonal
🇹🇳 La Goulette, TunisiaOur Lady of Trapani procession (Tunis)
A Catholic festival in La Goulette honoring the Virgin Mary, once shared by Christians and Muslims.Festival
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Assumption of Mary" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.
Photo credits on this page
The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.
- Ferragosto: Ra Boe, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Sinjska Alka: L. Carević, CC0, source
- Our Lady of Trapani procession (Tunis): IssamBarhoumi, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Liechtenstein National Day: Förkle, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Pre-Cana: Jebulon, CC0, source
- Ommegang: Zorro2212, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dozhinki: Unknown author, Public domain, source
- Marian feast days: © Ralph Hammann - Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, source