- The Epiphany
- Venice Carnival
- Sanremo Music Festival
- Easter
- Liberation Day & Feast of St. Mark
- Italian Republic Day
- Calcio Storico Fiorentino
- Umbria Jazz Festival
- Feast of the Redeemer
- Verona Opera Festival
- Ferragosto
- Venice Film Festival
- Feast of San Gennaro
- Christmas
- Tips for visiting Italy during a Festival
If you really want to feel the soul of Italy, visit during a festival.
Whether it’s a tiny village parade or a centuries-old religious rite, festivals in Italy are where tradition, passion, and community come together.
Some go all the way back to the days of the Roman Empire, while others were born in the Middle Ages. However, all of these annual festivals are still celebrated today with just as much heart… and food.
You’ll find yourself swept up in the energy alongside locals who’ve been celebrating this way for generations. It’s one thing to visit Italy. It’s another to experience it in celebration mode.
The Epiphany
Italian: L’Epifania
Date: 6th January
Significance: Marks the end of the Christmas season in the Roman Catholic Church.
6th January is both the grand finale of Italy’s festive season and the kick-off of the new year. The Epiphany officially marks the end of Christmas celebrations, which began on December 8th with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
For this holiday, children are hoping for a visit from La Befana (The Witch). According to legend, the kindly but mischievous witch swoops down chimneys to deliver candy to good kids and coal to the rascals.
Look out for processions, especially in Vatican City, where the Pope celebrates a special mass.
Venice Carnival
Italian: Carnevale di Venezia
Date: Exact dates change every year. The 2-week-long festival always ends on Martedi Grasso (Fat Tuesday).
Significance: Marks the start of the season of Lent in the Roman Catholic Church.
If you’ve ever wanted to go all out for a costume party, the Venice Carnival is your moment. This festival is world-famous for its masquerade balls, costumes, and daily processions.
The Carnival’s roots stretch back to the 12th century, when handmade Venetian masks were worn to conceal wealthy noble identities during the festival’s many parties. If you’re looking for a truly authentic souvenir to bring home, you can still find artisans crafting these masks in workshops all over the city.
However, the festival’s modern form dates back only to 1979, when it was revived to encourage tourism to Venice.
St. Mark’s Square becomes the stage for street performers and musicians, while locals and visitors compete for the title of best-dressed.
Make sure to treat yourself to a frittella, a sugary Venetian donut only available during the Carnival celebrations.
Sanremo Music Festival
Italian: Festival di Sanremo
Date: The exact date changes every year. The 5-day festival is usually held within the first two weeks of February.
Significance: Italy’s beloved music competition.
Sanremo is Italy’s answer to Eurovision. This pop culture institution has been held every February in the Ligurian seaside town of Sanremo since 1951.
It’s now the longest-running national music competition on television, devoted to showcasing the country’s up-and-coming musical talents.
Since Sanremo is all about debuting new songs, the festival has launched the careers of Italian icons like Andrea Bocelli and Laura Pausini.
Even if you’re not fluent in Italian, you’ll get caught up in the drama, the laughter, and the occasional fashion mishap.
Easter
Italian: Pasqua
Date: The exact date changes every year. Usually in the spring.
Significance: One of Italy’s most sacred holidays, celebrating the resurrection of Jesus.
Easter in Italy doesn’t just last one day; it’s a full week of events known as the Settimana Santa (Holy Week).
Good Friday is especially moving. Many towns organise the Via Crucis, a reenactment of Christ’s procession during his final hours. If you’re visiting Rome on this holiday, you need to experience this ceremony led by the Pope at the Colosseum–one of Italy’s most famous landmarks.
On Holy Saturday night, Italians attend the Easter Vigil, one of the most emotional services of the year. Domenica di Pasqua (Easter Sunday) is a day of celebration with family gatherings and, of course, incredible food.
The day after Easter is known as Pasquetta, which literally means “Little Easter,” or Lunedì dell’Angelo (Easter Monday). This Italian national holiday is basically the official kick-off to spring, when Italians celebrate with friends.
Liberation Day & Feast of St. Mark
Italian: Festa della Liberazione & Festa di San Marco a Venezia
Date: 25th April
Significance: Celebrates the country’s liberation from occupying forces in World War II, and the patron saint’s day in Venice.
25th April is a day of double celebrations in Italy!
Liberation Day honours Italy’s liberation from Nazi occupation and the fascist puppet state at the end of World War II. The entire nation celebrates with parades or public ceremonies.
This date coincides with the Festa di San Marco a Venezia in Venice. The Venetian Republic used to organise a procession from St. Mark’s Basilica in honour of him, the city’s patron saint.
In this historic city, the date is also called the Festa del Bócolo, or the Rosebud Festival. According to a legend from the 8th century, men present their beloved with a rose to symbolise their love.
Italian Republic Day
Italian: Festa della Repubblica
Date: 2nd June
Significance: Italy’s national independence day.
The Festa della Repubblica, is a celebration of the historic 1946 referendum that saw Italians abolishing the monarchy and establish the republic.
Rome takes centre stage with the grand parade down Via dei Fori Imperiali, flyovers by the Air Force, and the President laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Even if your Ultimate Italy itinerary isn’t in Rome on this date, you’ll still see parties, flag ceremonies, and public speeches from the country’s leaders in smaller towns.
Calcio Storico Fiorentino
Italian: Calcio Storico Fiorentino
Date: Exact June dates change every year.
Significance: Florence’s historic sporting event.
Picture Calcio Storico Fiorentino as a wild mix of rugby, soccer, and wrestling set in Renaissance Florence. This historic sport, dating back to the 15th century, is played in June at Piazza di Santa Croce, and it’s not for the faint of heart.
Four neighbourhoods field teams in medieval gear, and matches are famously hard-fought. The final game is always held on 24th June, aligning with the feast day of Florence’s patron saint, San Giovanni.
And what did the victorious team win for their valiant efforts? Historically, a prized Chianina cow. In modern times, a free dinner.
Tickets are notoriously difficult for outsiders to get, which means this historic game is still very much for the locals. But if you’re ever in Florence during the season on your Italian Espresso, you’ll find the piazza is transformed into a stadium arena for the game.
Umbria Jazz Festival
Italian: Umbria Jazz
Date: Exact dates change every year. Usually runs for 10 days in July.
Significance: Italy’s bi-annual jazz festival.
Each July, the city of Perugia transforms into an open-air concert hall for the Umbria Jazz Festival. Some of the world’s jazz legends have performed here, but you’ll also hear blues, swing, and funky experiments echoing through medieval streets.
Founded in 1973 by the visionary Carlo Pagnotta, the festival has hosted a who’s who of iconic musicians, including Tony Bennett, James Brown, and Phil Collins.
Outdoor stages, pop-up bars, and late-night jam sessions draw music lovers. If you miss the summer festival, you can always come back to catch Umbria Winter Jazz, held each year in December.
Feast of the Redeemer
Italian: Festa del Redentore
Date: Every year during the third weekend of July.
Significance: A uniquely Venetian holiday celebrating religion and its history.
Every year, Venice builds a temporary, floating bridge over the Giudecca Canal for the Festa del Redentore. And then takes it down just a day later.
The tradition dates back to the 16th century, when a plague struck the floating city and killed about one-third of its population. The Church of the Redentore was built on Giudecca Island to thank the Virgin Mary for surviving the plague.
The procession of interlocking boats stretching over the canal was started in 1577.
During the day, you’ll see historic regattas with elaborately decorated boats through the Grand Canal. On Saturday night, Venetians host dinners on their boats or along the canals, which are followed by a stunning fireworks display over the lagoon.
Image source:Lyndsay Crescenti
Verona Opera Festival
Italian: L’Arena Opera Festival
Date: Exact dates change every year. Usually runs from June to early September.
Significance: A summer-long opera festival, set in a Roman amphitheatre under the stars.
Set inside the ancient Roman Arena, the Verona Opera Festival is a midsummer night’s dream for music and drama lovers from mid-June to late August or early September.
Imagine sitting under the stars, surrounded by 2,000 years of history, watching iconic Italian operas like La Traviata, Carmen, and Aida.
These grand operatic productions start at dusk in the open-air venue and sometimes last until early morning. Audiences from Italy and beyond gather here to enjoy an unparalleled night of music and performance.
Ferragosto
Italian: Ferragosto
Date: 15th August
Significance: A date that now represents the country’s monthly summer holiday.
If your trip to Italy is in August, you’ll see businesses with chiuso per ferie (closed for Ferie) signs on their front doors. It’s time for the country’s ultimate summer shutdown and one of Italy’s most deeply rooted festivals.
This holiday combines an ancient tradition with the peak of the Italian summer. It dates back to Roman Emperor Augustus, who in 18 BCE declared 1st August a day of rest called the Feriae Augusti, after the hard work of the summer harvest.
However, the Catholic Church shifted the date of Ferragosto to 15th August, a Catholic holiday marking the Assumption of Mary. Today, Ferragosto isn’t really limited to just one day; it’s practically the entire season’s mindset. Until recently, most of Italy shut down for the whole month of August.
While that’s less common now, many businesses still close for a full two weeks, and city streets are empty as Italians head for the coast or countryside.
Expect many museums, shops, and restaurants to be closed, so plan ahead. Or join the locals in making the most of the sunny days.
Image source:Lyndsay Crescenti
Venice Film Festival
Italian: Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica della Biennale di Venezia
Date: Exact dates change each year. Usually runs from late August to early September.
Significance: The oldest film festival in the world.
The Venice Film Festival, held annually in late August or early September, is the oldest film festival in the world and one of the most prestigious in the industry.
Founded in 1932, the festival is part of the larger Venice Biennale, a city-wide celebration of all things artistic throughout the year. However, all the films are showcased on the Lido, an island in the Venetian Lagoon. You can’t walk there from the historic centre; you must take a private water taxi or the public vaporetto.
Hollywood actors, international filmmakers, and paparazzi descend on the narrow island to catch premieres and walk the iconic red carpet.
You don’t have to be an elite cinephile to get in. Tickets are available for public screenings, and it’s not uncommon to spot a celebrity around town. Expect glamour, excitement, and the chance to see the next Oscar winner debut.
If you’re curious about other seasonal events, visiting Italy in September is an excellent time.
Feast of San Gennaro
Italian: Festa di San Gennaro
Date: 19th September
Significance: Honours the patron saint of Naples.
If your Italian Escape crosses through Naples on 19th September, you’ll experience the Festa di San Gennaro. Locals honour San Gennaro, the city’s patron saint, with processions, food stalls, and prayers at the Naples Cathedral.
The miracle of the blood is the centrepiece of the day.
Two centuries-old vials believed to contain the saint’s blood are brought out at the Cathedral. One appears empty, the other still holds a dark, solid clump. But during the ceremony, as the cardinal carefully turns the vial, the blood liquefies before everyone’s eyes. When the miracle happens, the crowd cheers, but if it doesn’t, Neapolitans see it as a bad omen.
Either way, the city comes alive with the kind of chaotic joy that only Naples can do.
Christmas
Italian: Natale
Date: Several dates throughout the month of December.
Significance: A whole month of festivals in Italy for the Christmas season.
The Christmas season in Italy is pure magic. Holiday celebrations run all month, with markets popping up across cities and towns. The festivities officially kick off on 8th December, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
This is when most Italians put up their Christmas trees and presepi (nativity scenes). The tradition of nativity scenes started in Italy when Saint Francis of Assisi set up the first one in a cave in Greccio in 1223.
Christmas markets are held throughout the month in most major cities, selling artisan crafts and holiday foods. On our Simply Italy trip, you can check out one of the oldest markets during a lunch stop in Bologna.
From there, it’s a joyful countdown to Christmas Eve, where tradition says you skip the meat and go for seafood instead. If you’re in the capital, midnight mass at St. Peter’s Basilica is an incredible highlight.
Christmas Day brings a long, joyful family lunch, and the table overflows with regional favourites. Make sure you try panettone, the traditional Italian Christmas cake. Let’s not forget 26th December, Santo Stefano’s Day, another public holiday, because Italians know how to extend a good celebration.
The holiday season officially ends back at the start with the arrival of January 6th, the Epiphany. If you time your trip with these events, you’ll experience why so many people say the best time to visit is during the festive season.
Tips for visiting Italy during a Festival
Italians love any reason for a holiday. However, when a festival rolls around, shops close, businesses pause, and the entire rhythm of life shifts. It’s best to plan your Italian trip well before you step off the plane so you’re not caught off guard by closures.
Also, travel light and keep your essentials close. Crowds can attract pickpockets, especially in big cities during major festivals.
And don’t count on public transport running like clockwork; it’s Italy, after all. During peak festival days, trains and buses may be delayed, diverted, or downright non-existent, so leave some room in your itinerary.
Whether you decide to time your Contiki with one of these experiences or you wander into town on a historic date, there’s no better way to experience the country than through the festivals in Italy.
