Feast of the Immaculate Conception Date in the current year: December 8, 2024

The feast is held annually on December 8, that is nine months before Nativity of Mary, the feast that commemorates birthday of Mary. The feast is designated by Pontificate as the patron feast day in Spain, the U.S., Uruguay, Argentina, Korea, Brazil and Nicaragua. The royal decree designated Virgin Mary as the patron saint in Portugal.

The celebration of the Feast of the Immaculate Conceptions is observed by traditional (since 1953) visit of the Column of the Immaculate Conception in Piazza di Spagna by the Pope. His expiatory prayers commemorate the solemn event.

The feast was assigned a Holy Day of Obligation in 1708 by Pope Clement XI. This feast is often celebrated with parades, processions, fireworks, cultural festivities and ethnic food to honor the Blessed Virgin Mary. Many Catholic countries regard this day as Family Day.