There’s nowhere quite like Italy when it comes to family-friendly celebrations. Towns big and small fill with music, food, and a steady buzz, while kids dash about among street performers and art displays. You’ll find that proper Italian welcome at every turn, whether you’re watching a masked procession in Venice, nibbling your way through a food festival, or checking out some live music near one of Italy's top family-friendly beaches.
Child-friendly events in Italy are in full swing during the summer, but you'll also find some of the country's most magical festivals take place in the cooler months.
Festivals in Italy: what makes them special for families
There’s just something about Italian festivals that feels like a proper celebration. Local traditions, hearty food, and a fair bit of music set the scene, and there’s always a welcome for visitors of all ages.
Every region puts its own spin on things, so you’ll spot a real variety. What makes it all so memorable for families is the relaxed, convivial atmosphere. You don’t have to worry if the kids are running about, because that’s just part of the fun here. It’s a lovely way for newcomers to feel part of the local scene and for kids to soak up a bit of culture without even realising it.
Most popular family-friendly Italian festivals
Some Italian festivals really stand out for families, drawing crowds of locals and visitors year after year.
Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival)
One of Italy’s most iconic celebrations, held in February, Carnevale di Venezia fills the city with incredible masks, parades, acrobats, and music. Children love joining in the costume-making workshops and spotting masked characters wandering the piazzas. There are plenty of kid-friendly parades and performances, especially in Saint Mark’s Square, so little ones are properly entertained.
Battaglia delle Arance (Battle of the Oranges, Ivrea)
This unique festival usually kicks off in February as part of Carnival in Ivrea, Piedmont. Teams pelt each other with oranges in the streets (all in good fun, with safety measures for kids and spectators). Children not only get to watch the wild spectacle safely behind nets, but can also join in various local events, games and food stalls, making the atmosphere more playful than fierce.
Infiorata di Genzano (Genzano Flower Festival)
Taking place in June, this flower festival transforms the streets of Genzano, near Rome, into intricate flower carpets. Kids are often mesmerised by the colours and patterns, and families can take part in workshops or try their hand at flower art.
Nemi Strawberry Festival
Held every June in the lakeside town of Nemi just south of Rome, this sweet festival is dedicated to the local fragoline di bosco (wild strawberries). It’s all about strawberry tastings, parades, music and games for children scattered throughout the historic centre. The laid-back atmosphere and safe, car-free setting make it a real winner for families.
Palio di Siena
Every summer, on 2nd July and 16th August, Siena's famous medieval horse race transforms the city. Families can watch colourful processions, flag-throwing events, and, while the main race isn’t recommended for very young children, the family-friendly celebrations and food markets around town are lively and well worth experiencing together.
Family-friendly traditional festivals across Italy
Infiorata
Lots of Italian towns, including Spello and Noto, hold their own “infiorata" celebrations, usually in late spring or early summer. Families can wander winding streets filled with elaborate petal displays, join creative activities, and sample local snacks.
Ferragosto
Italy’s midsummer holiday is marked countrywide on the 15th August with open-air concerts, food fairs, fireworks, and plenty of seaside (or lakeside) activities for children. Most towns and villages have some sort of family-friendly event, from treasure hunts to games in the park.
Festival della Sagra (local food festivals)
Sagre pop up across Italy throughout spring, summer and autumn, spotlighting everything from truffles to cherries to cheese. These festive weekends are family favourites, offering food tastings, music, pony rides and village games. They're casual, affordable and brilliant for picking up a few words of Italian while the kids munch and play.
Music festivals in Italy with kids
If you’ve got music fans in the family, Italy serves up plenty that goes miles beyond just standing about in a muddy field. Some of Italy's best music festivals for 2025 have plenty up their sleeves for both tiny tots and budding teen musicians. These are usually well-organised, with food markets and quieter corners for when you need a break from the action.
Calendar of kid-friendly festivals in Italy by season
Winter
- Epiphany (La Befana)
6th January
Witches on broomsticks, sweets for kids and festive markets in towns big and small. - Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival), Venice
22nd February – 4th March 2025 - Battle of the Oranges (Ivrea Carnival), Piedmont
2nd–4th March 2025
A wild, good-natured, orange-throwing street festival with special safe areas and local activities for kids.
Spring
- Infiorata di Noto, Sicily
16th–20th May 2025
Noto’s streets are decked out in elaborate flower carpets—children love watching the designs being made and getting involved in side events. - Infiorata di Genzano, Genzano di Roma
22nd June 2025 (main day; festivities often last the weekend) - Nemi Strawberry Festival, Nemi
1st June 2025 - Infiorata Festivals, various towns
Throughout May and June
Summer
- Palio di Siena, Siena (Tuscany)
2nd July & 16th August 2025 - Festa della Madonna della Bruna, Matera (Basilicata)
2nd July 2025
Parades, fireworks, giant carro (float) procession—family-friendly buzz all week. - Ferragosto, nationwide
15th August 2025 - Music Festivals, various locations
June – September 2025
Plenty of outdoor gigs and festivals with zones for families—especially in Lucca, Perugia, and along Lake Garda.
Autumn
- Eurochocolate, Perugia (Umbria)
14th–23rd November 2025
Europe’s chocoholics gather for tastings, chocolate sculptures, and chocolate-making workshops that kids love. - Harvest Sagre (local food festivals), nationwide
September – November 2025
Every region has its own food and wine fairs; look for chestnut, truffle or pumpkin festivals. Great for families wanting countryside weekends and kid-friendly games.
Tips for enjoying Italian festivals with children
Go early, especially with younger kids. The best family atmosphere is usually in the morning or just after lunch, when crowds are smaller and there’s still plenty to see and do.
Many festivals involve a fair bit of walking or standing around, so comfy shoes and a lightweight buggy (for younger kids) can be a lifesaver. Old streets and cobbles are charming but not always buggy-friendly, so a carrier is handy for the smallest.
If possible, try to use public transport or park a little out of town. Festival days can mean road closures and packed parking. Don’t forget that Italian festivals are noisy and lively—ear defenders come in handy for little ones, especially during fireworks or live music. Finally, encourage the kids to pick up a few festival-themed Italian words (“maschera” for mask, “fragola” for strawberry, “fiore” for flower).
The most popular ice cream flavours in Italy
Summer in Italy means sunshine, sightseeing – and plenty of gelato. If you’re heading to Italy and looking for the perfect way to cool down, nothing beats a scoop (or two) of traditional, homemade gelato. But with so many delicious options to choose from, which flavours are local favourites? Let’s take a look at the most popular ice cream flavours in Italy.
Italian passport ranking: global standing & travel feedom explained
A passport is essentially a key that unlocks doorways to countries across the globe. The more powerful the passport, the more doors it opens without the hassle of a visa. When it comes to global access, the Italian passport ranking sits comfortably among the world's elite, offering its holders remarkable freedom to travel.
10 authentic Italian desserts you probably haven't tried
When you think of Italian desserts, your mind probably jumps straight to Tiramisù, a creamy Panna Cotta, or maybe a scoop of Gelato. They're certainly famous for a reason, but the world of Italian sweets, or dolci, goes so much deeper than the usual suspects. So let's skip the big names this time and explore the top Italian desserts you haven't tried.
Healthcare in Italy for expats: guide to the SSN & private cover
Moving to a new country always comes with a lengthy to-do list, and sorting out healthcare is often near the top. When the destination is Italy, a place with a certain reputation for paperwork and bureaucracy, this task can feel particularly daunting. Understanding the options for health insurance in Italy for foreigners is fundamental to settling in smoothly. Italy's healthcare system is frequently praised as one of the world's best, and while it has its regional complexities, it offers excelle
Top things to do in Italy in August 2025: music, sports & traditional festivals
For many, August is the month for holidays by the sea, in the mountains or in the city. However, the hottest month of summer also offers plenty of high-profile events taking place from North to South. From the rhythms of the tarantella to medieval traditions, including palios and reenactments.
Top Italian dessert wines: sip on vin santo, moscato and more
There's a special moment at the end of a good Italian meal, when you're full and happy but not quite ready to leave the table. This is often when a small glass of something sweet and aromatic appears. In Italy, dessert wine isn't just an afterthought; it’s a cherished part of the dining culture. Getting to know the best Italian dessert wines opens up a whole new side to the country's incredible food and drink scene.
Food festivals in Italy: guide to finding a great sagra
Food is central to Italian life, and there's no better way to dive into that world than by visiting a local food festival. In Italy, these are often called a sagra, and they're fantastic, community-run events celebrating a specific local ingredient. Each season brings a new reason to celebrate, be it wild mushrooms in autumn or fresh artichokes in spring, giving you a real taste of regional life through Italy's food festivals.