May 1 - a major holiday?
 

I know that May 1 is a holiday in Italy. Does anyone knows how big of a deal it is? Is everything going to be closed? Museums? Restaurants?

Thanks.

Bob.

I've never been there for May 1, but I imagine someone will respond who has been. I'm just writing to remind you that May can be tricky in Europe (or at least in France; assume same in Italy?), with May 1, Ascension Thursday, and Pentecost Sunday and Whitmonday. I have been there for some of the latter days, and things are closed, such as the department stores, some restaurants, small shops. Touristy places on Champs-Elysees were open, however.

You might also want to find out whether the city you're visiting typically experiences protests on May 1. In London, anti-globalization protestors often take to the streets (and there's a fair degree of lock-down by local businesses), with the possibility of significant disruptions and crowds. I don't know what it was like this past year, and I don't know what other European cities are like, but given the labour day association, I think there's a possibility of protests (which could be either very interesting, or unnerving, for you).

We were in Nice on May 1 of last year. Everything was closed - stores, museums, etc. Lots of protests throughout the city, as well as throughout most larger cities in Europe.

May 1 is a major holiday in Europe. Is the equivalent of Labor Day in the USA, with the difference that many communists countries used to have miltary parades to display their armed forces..Do you remenber the opulent display of the former USSR?

I was in Bergamo for May Day last year. There was a terrific parade, with all political parties represented. Most everything was open.

Not every country in Europe has May 1st as a holiday. The UK does not (it's the first Monday in May there), neither does The Netherlands, but they have Queen's day on 30th April.

April 25th and May 1st are big holidays. In Italy many people "ponte" (bridge) the two days and take a holiday. We were there a year and a half ago on May 1st. I don't remember anything being closed, but I don't remember if we went to museums that day. If you look up the particular museum schedule they usually tell you what days they are closed. Some are just Christmas and New Years, some are more.