Workers' Day falls on a Thursday in 2025.

Italy celebrates Labour Day - known as the Festa dei Lavoratori or Festa del Lavoro - with a national public holiday every year on 1 May.

This year the Primo Maggio holiday falls on a Thursday - resulting in the closure of Italy's schools and public offices - with many Italians enjoying a "ponte" long weekend by taking Friday off work.

The annual event, marked in more than 80 countries, is held in commemoration of the labour movement and the social and economic achievements of trade unions on behalf of workers.

• Italy's public holidays: a quick guide

The Primo Maggio holiday is celebrated in Rome with a free May Day concert which this year returns to the newly-restyled Piazza S. Giovanni in Laterano, after moving temporarily to the Circus Maximus last year.

Organised by Italy's trade unions, the concertone attracts well-known acts along with rising stars from the Italian music industry and is used as a platform to promote workers' rights.

The line-up of 40 acts includes Lucio Corsi, Gabry Ponte, Gaia, Franco126 and Brunori Sas, with more names set to be announced.

The Primo Maggio concert will begin at 15.00 and lasts until around midnight.

Cover image: Il quarto stato (1898-1901) painting by Giuseppe Pellizza da Volpedo.