Festivals in Italy

Taking place between April and June, Infiorata celebrates the arrival of the warm season across the country. This festival, which originated in Vatican City in 1625, is all about colour - creating intricate public mosaic murals out of petals.

Some of the most impressive Infiorata (meaning ‘decorated in flowers’) are in Noto (Sicily), Spello (Perugia), Genzano (on the outskirts of Rome) and across the towns in Emilia Romagna. Visit Italy in mid-to-late spring for the best chance of seeing this petal art.

Carnevale occurs every year around February and marks a time of fun before Lent begins. Each city may celebrate Carnevale differently. Across the country, you’ll find parades, all-night parties, dancing, feasts and even orange-throwing battles.

Venice hosts Italy’s largest Carnevale celebration. People wear opulent masquerade costumes and attend balls and candlelit boat parades. This event dates back centuries and remains popular for locals and visitors.

Pasqua, or Easter, is an important date in the Italian calendar. During Holy Week, Mass services are held across the country, with a marquee event at St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. The Pope will also lead a procession through Rome, from the Colosseum to the Roman Forum.

Alongside the religious events, feasting, picnics, family gatherings, egg painting and other egg-themed games are ways Italians celebrate Easter. Different regions, cities and towns may have their own unique events to enjoy the holidays.

Italy's vendemmia (grape harvest) begins around mid-September and continues into autumn. Wine-producing regions, like Tuscany, are abuzz at this time as many visitors come to enjoy the harvest festivities.

While you may not be able to pick the grapes yourself, towns and villages often host food and wine festivals during the vendemmia. Visit during autumn and soak up the rich Italian flavours, sampling the best locally made wine from the Chianti Region on a food tour through Italy.

Starting around mid-June, Verona hosts it’s iconic and the world's oldest opera festival in the historic Verona Arena. Spanning most of the summer, the festival sees thousands of people who come to enjoy a selection of Italy’s world-renowned opera pieces.

Verona’s massive, first-century Roman amphitheatre has hosted everything from gladiators in the ancient era to Puccini operas, modern pop concerts, and rock stage shows. Plan your trip to Verona during the Opera Festival to experience this incredible mix of history, art and music.

Palio di Siena is known as Italy’s most famous horse race. Dating back to the 17^th century, this medieval horse race is held in Siena, Tuscany, on two dates in July and August. Representatives from each ‘contrada’ (city division) compete against each other as they race around the Piazza del Campo three times.

This ancient tradition attracts many spectators and is usually followed by open-air dinners and mass celebrations. Learn more about the event on an orientation walk with a local leader during an Intrepid trip through Tuscany.

Touted as one of the ‘Big Three’ world film festivals alongside Cannes and Berlin, the Venice Film Festival began in 1932 and has gained prestige ever since, attracting filmmakers and actors from around the world.

Taking place around August and September, many films are premiered and a number of awards are presented, including the prestigious Golden Lion Award.