The people of Italy know how to host an event and put on a party. Whenever you find yourself in Italy, there’s sure to be something on. Here’s a few to look out for on your travels:
- Carnevale
- Pasqua (Easter)
- Infiorata
- Verona Opera Festival
- Festa della Madonna Bruna
- Palio di Siena
- Venice Film Festival
- Regata Storica di Venezia (Venice Historical Regatta)
January
1 January – New Year’s Day (Capodanno)
6 January – Epiphany (Epifania)
February
Carnevale
Each city may celebrate Carnevale differently, but festivities in the lead-up to Lent are always a raucous affair in Italy. Venice celebrates with opulent masquerade balls and candlelit boat parades. Viareggio opts for parades featuring floats, costumes and enormous papier mache puppets – some several stories high! In Ivrea, not far from Turin, the town plays host to the Battle of the Oranges – a spectacular food fight lasting around three days. It’s a real crazy atmosphere in February.
March/April
Pasqua (Easter Sunday)
Easter, or Pasqua, is a big deal in Italy, being the centre of the Roman Catholic world. There is no Easter bunny; instead, there’s loads of chocolate and colourful painted eggs. A huge Easter celebration mass is held at St Peter’s Basilica at the Vatican, spilling out into the forecourt. This is followed by an address from the Pope at noon. Italians get cooking at Easter, too – there are many festive recipes out around this time, including the dove-shaped colomba cake and pizza gaina (a pizza pie filled with cheese, eggs and Italian cured meats).
Pasquetta (Easter Monday)
25 April – Giorno della Liberazione (Liberation Day)
May
1 May – Festa del Lavoro (Labour Day)
June
2 June – Festa della Repubblica (Republic Day)
Infiorata
This festival, which originated in the 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) and Genzano (on the outskirts of Rome). They are also often found across the towns in Emilia Romagna, too.
July
Verona Opera Festival
The town that gave us opera, Verona – or 'Little Rome', as it is known – hosts the world's oldest opera festival each summer in the historic Verona Arena. The massive, first-century Roman amphitheatre has hosted everyhing from gladiators in the ancient era to Puccini operas, modern pop concerts and rock stage shows.
Festa della Madonna Bruna
This festival dates back 600 years, originating as a tribute to the southern Basilicata town of Matera’s patron saint Bruna, who legend says miraculously turned into a statue of the Virgin Mary after a farmer gave her a ride into town. 'Knights' parade the statue around town in a wagon covered in papier mache, and once Mary is lifted free and transported back to the church, locals rip the 'chariot' apart and keep a small piece for good luck. At night, the town enjoys a fireworks display to conclude the celebrations.
August
Palio di Siena
This twice annual event is hosted in Siena’s main square, Piazza del Campo, where representatives from each ‘contrada’ (city division) compete against each other in a medieval horse race. The piazza is crammed full of spectators on July 2 and August 16 each year (not all 17 contrade feature in each race, so there are two events) and the atmosphere is electric. If you're heading to the race, be sure to take sun protection and water.
September
Venice Film Festival
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 film makers and actors from around the world who descend on Venice to celebrate their craft. Many films are launched at this festival and a number of awards presented, including 'Leone d'Oro' or the Golden Lion, for the best film screened in competition at the festival.
Regata Storica di Venezia (Venice Historical Regatta)
On the first Sunday of September each year the gondolas filling Venice's canals make way for the world’s best rowers competing in a regatta that dates back to the 13th century. The event honours traditional boating skills as well as celebrating the history of the Republic of Venice, having first been part of the Festa delle Marie – a sixth-century festival dedicated to women getting married in the region. There are four races, divided by age and type of craft, watched by a Grand Canal lined with spectators.
For a current list of public holidays in Italy, go to worldtravelguide.net
Our tours in Italy
8 Days
From
1850
Travel to Italy on a tour from Rome to Amalfi and explore the best of the region....
14 Days
From
2454
Immerse yourself in classic culture, history and incredible sights on this Best of...
10 Days
From
2702
Travel to Italy and savour the many flavours of this gastronomic haven on a journey...
8 Days
From
1212
See the best of Italy – Venice, La Spezia, Cinque Terre, Florence and Rome – in eight...
8 Days
From
2858
See the majesty and beauty of Italy’s Renaissance gems on an eight-day Premium tour...
Tailor-Made trips
Take four or more on an exclusive trip and tailor your itinerary
8 Days
From
1900
Mountains, forests and beaches – soak up the spectacular scenery of Italy’s Amalfi...
8 Days
From
1737
See Italy in the cooler months, hitting Rome, Florence, Pisa and Bologna before...
8 Days
From
2795
Spend eight unforgettable days hiking the Tour du Mont Blanc, setting off on a circuit...
8 Days
From
2079
Explore the traditional delights of Italian cuisine while travelling through the...
8 Days
From
2788
Discover the culture, history and beauty of Italy’s Puglia region on an 8-day Premium...
8 Days
From
1910
Explore the Dolomites on an 8-day small group hiking tour which explores multiple lakes...
8 Days
From
1835
Encounter the picturesque hills and olive groves of Tuscany on this cycling adventure...
10 Days
From
2050
Take a tour through Italy’s less-visited southern region, absorbing the beauty of...
9 Days
From
2213
Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Slovenia and Croatia on a...
8 Days
From
1815
Walk into a world that's a play of colourful houses and blue sea as you amble between...
4 Days
From
659
Set sail along Italy’s Amalfi Coast in four days with Intrepid, cruising to the scenic...
4 Days
From
626
Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast from the colourful village of Procida, through ancient worlds...
10 Days
From
1415
Travel from Split to Venice in 10 days, stopping at Zadar, Plitvice Lakes National Park...
7 Days
From
1314
Sail Italy’s Amalfi Coast, exploring the Bay of Naples, Capri, Amalfi and Procida...
15 Days
From
3290
Visit Spain, France and Italy on this European adventure. Discover gothic architecture...
10 Days
From
1926
Discover the secrets of Calabria 10-day adventure visiting Civita, Pollino National...
15 Days
From
1955
Discover Central Europe on this 15-day journey from Germany to Italy. Start in Berlin,...
15 Days
From
1538
Explore charming Central Europe from Germany to Italy on a 15-day trip through Berlin,...
8 Days
From
1580
Visit Italy and tour through the countryside of Umbria. Travel to Italy's sacred sites...
16 Days
From
4860
Discover the wonders of Slovenia and Croatia on a 16-day Premium adventure down the...
8 Days
From
1790
From the ruins of Rome, to the ancient city of Pompeii and the seaside delights of...
8 Days
From
1686
Visit Venice, Cinque Terre, Pisa and Rome on an exciting 8-day family holiday through...
24 Days
From
5565
Travel to Pompeii, Amalfi, the Aeolian Islands, Taormina and Mt Etna on a tour from...
17 Days
From
3895
Kick off this Roman holiday in Rome, the heart of Italy. Live history as you explore...
8 Days
From
1356
Pamper the appetite and treat the senses on this exquisite journey through Italy’s Lake...
36 Days
From
6540
Visit Spain, France, Germany, the Czech Republic and Italy plus a host of secrets in...
29 Days
From
4450
Spain, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Czech Republic, Austria, Hungary,...
10 Days
From
2916
Discover Sicily in the heart of the Mediterranean on this 10-day Premium journey that...
16 Days
From
5296
Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia...
23 Days
From
7862
Explore the beautiful cities, mountains and waterfalls of Italy, Slovenia and Croatia...
22 Days
From
2957
Discover Central Europe’s most romantic cities on a 22-day trip travelling through...
19 Days
From
2376
Experience Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Hungary, Italy, Montenegro, Serbia,...
26 Days
From
3506
Set out from Hungary and discover the cultures and cuisines of Serbia, Montenegro,...
17 Days
From
2665
Enjoy a European tasting platter on this 17-day trip including Split, Ljubljana,...
17 Days
From
5886
Spend 17 days exploring all of Italy from Palermo to Mount Etna, to Rome and Venice...
24 Days
From
9997
Spend 24 days exploring Italy in depth from Sicily to Puglia and on to Tuscany - you'll...
17 Days
From
7110
Explore the best of Sicily and southern Italy - including Palermo, Mount Etna, Pompeii...
15 Days
From
5727
Spend 15 days exploring Italy on this Premium Trip that visits icons like Rome, Venice,...
8 Days
From
1700
Take a trip to southern Italy and explore the best of Sicily including Catania, Mount...
17 Days
From
3760
Discover the secrets of Calabria and the highlights of Sicily on this 15-day adventure...
15 Days
From
3765
From the canals of Venice to the ruins of Rome, and beyond wandering the ancient city...
