Monday, January 12th
Work permit applications open – The first "click day" of 2026 opens at 9am, when employers can submit applications for seasonal work permits in the agriculture and tourism sectors.
Applications are queued electronically and processed on a first-come first-served basis – in past years, quotas have been filled within minutes. A second click day for tourism-sector seasonal work follows on February 9th.
Trenord strike – Regional rail passengers in Lombardy may face disruption as Trenord staff stage a 23-hour walkout from 3am Monday to 2am Tuesday.
This includes the Malpensa Express airport service, which will be replaced by buses during the strike. Guaranteed service runs from 6-9am and 6-9pm.
Olympic torch arrives in Valle d'Aosta – The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic torch relay arrives in Valle d'Aosta on Monday, first reaching Châtillon before passing through the iconic peaks of Mont Blanc and arriving in the regional capital Aosta for the evening city celebration.
Tuesday, January 13th
National taxi strike – Taxi drivers across Italy are expected to strike for the whole day in a coordinated action by the country's taxi unions. Anyone planning to rely on taxis should consider alternative transport.
Thursday, January 15th
Milan public transport strike – Passengers using Milan's ATM network should expect journey disruption due to a planned 24-hour staff walkout.
ATM typically guarantees service from midnight to 8.45am and 3pm to 6pm, even on strike days, to allow commuters to get to and from work.
Friday, January 16th
Sicily public transport strike – Public transport workers across Palermo, Catania and Enna have announced a 24-hour walkout.
Sant'Antonio Abate bonfires begin – Traditional bonfires are lit across southern Italy and Sardinia on the evening of January 16th to mark the eve of the feast of Sant'Antonio Abate, patron saint of animals.
Weekend
Feast of Sant'Antonio Abate – Saturday January 17th is the feast day itself, when many towns hold blessings of animals in honour of Sant'Antonio. The Farchie di Fara Filiorum Petri in Abruzzo is among the most distinctive celebrations, with tall cylindrical bundles of reeds set alight.
Olympic torch reaches Brescia and Verona – The Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic torch is to arrive in Brescia on Saturday, carried by Paris 2024 women's volleyball gold medallist Anna Danesi, Sydney 2000 swimming champion Domenico Fioravanti and Tokyo 2020 gymnastics silver medallist Vanessa Ferrari.
On Sunday the flame continues to Verona, which will host the Winter Olympics closing ceremony on February 22nd at the world-famous Verona Arena.
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