Do You Get a Black Moon?
What is a Black Moon, and why does it happen in December?
The northern Italian city of Milan celebrates St Ambrose’s Day, also known as the Feast of St Ambrose or St Ambrogio's Day, as a public holiday on December 7.
Is The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) a Public Holiday?
The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) is a public holiday. It is a day off for the general population, and schools and most businesses are closed.
In 2024, it falls on a Saturday, and some businesses may choose to follow Saturday opening hours.
Depiction of St Ambrose (center right) refusing Theodosius (center left) church entry.
©thinkstockphoto.com
Celebrate the Feast of St Ambrose
Milan celebrates the feast of its patron saint, St. Ambrose, with a special church service at one of the city’s oldest churches, the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio. Another highlight of the day is the Oh Bej! Oh Bej! street market. The streets near the piazza Sant’Ambrogio are busy with people trying an assortment of different local food and drinks, as well as a market of arts and crafts stalls.
Public Life
Organizations that are closed in Milan on St Ambrose’s Day include:
- Many shops and private businesses.
- Banks.
- Government offices.
- Educational institutions.
However, bars, restaurants and the shops in the city center tend to stay open. Travelers intending to use public transport on public holidays are advised to check routes and timetables with the local transport authorities.
About the Feast of St Ambrose
Aurelius Ambrosius (340 CE–397 CE) was born in Treves (Trier), Gaul. He trained as a lawyer and became governor of Milan before he was appointed as the city’s bishop in 374 CE. He wrote about the scriptures, composed many hymns, devoted his time to studying theology and gave his possessions to the poor.
St Ambrose was known for denying church entrance to emperor Theodosius I for his massacre of about 7000 people in Thessalonica in 390. He also had considerable influence over St Augustine, an early Christian Saint whose writings were widely read.
The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) Observances
| Year | Weekday | Date | Name | Holiday Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | Sat | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2020 | Mon | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2021 | Tue | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2022 | Wed | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2023 | Thu | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2024 | Sat | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2025 | Sun | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2026 | Mon | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2027 | Tue | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2028 | Thu | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
| 2029 | Fri | Dec 7 | The Feast of St. Ambrose (Milan) | Local Holiday |
While we diligently research and update our holiday dates, some of the information in the table above may be preliminary. If you find an error, please let us know.
