Italian festivals

Italy’s late-autumn sweets have far deeper roots than costume parties and pumpkin carving.

Halloween may be increasingly visible in Italian shops, schools and city nightlife, but the country’s most meaningful dates at the start of November fall just afterwards. All Saints’ Day, or Ognissanti, is celebrated on 1 November, followed by All Souls’ Day on 2 November, known as the Commemor

Alba, with its International Truffle Fair, Vigasio, with the Polenta Fair, and Castelfranco di Sotto, with its Porcino Mushroom Festival, are among the places that have seen an increase in Airbnb searches compared with last year. It reflects growing interest in these autumn food events, which a

Halloween in Italy has little in common with the usual costume-party template.

Chestnut festivals take place throughout Italy from early October to mid-November, from the Trentino Alps to Sicily. The most anticipated events are in Castel del Rio, Marradi, and Soriano nel Cimino (all in October), Centa San Nicolò and Aritzo (late October), and Montella (between late October and November). Here's where to find the most popular Chestnut Festivals in Italy in 2026.

From restless ghosts to tragic love stories and dank dungeons, the most beautiful castles to visit for Halloween in Italy undoubtedly include the Castles of the Duchy between Parma and Piacenza, Montebello Castle with the legend of Azzurrina, the Gradara Fortress of Paolo and Francesca, the Lonato del Garda Fortress, and the San Giorgio Canavese Castle. Some are perfect for children, others are designed for those seeking a spooky experience.

The famous chocolate festival returns to Perugia’s city centre from 14 to 23 November 2025, under the theme “The Festival Among the Clouds”. There’s no better way to enjoy this Umbrian city than by taking part in tastings, workshops, and shows, while also soaking up its historic charm and stunning views. Here’s what you need to know about Eurochocolate 2025.

At the start of autumn, Italy prepares for the grape harvest. In this setting, grape and wine sagre — local food and wine festivals — are far more than simple village celebrations. They reflect centuries of winemaking tradition, celebrate the identity of each area and give visitors a taste of local food, music and popular culture.

October in Italy is the most anticipated month for mushroom pickers, food enthusiasts, and nature lovers- the time when the entire peninsula comes alive with festivals, village fairs, and food events dedicated to mushrooms. From the Dolomites to the Apennine hills, from the Umbrian woods to the

The International Alba White Truffle Fair returns to Alba, Piedmont, from 10 October to 6 December 2026.

Between October and November, the Marche region is transformed: the woods explode with warm colors, the medieval villages become more interesting, and the festivals fill the squares with the scents of truffles and chestnuts. Discover what to see in the Marche region this fall, exploring the best spots for foliage, the most charming villages to visit in autumn, and the unmissable festivals.

Autumn food festivals in Italy are a proper window into regional cooking.

Food festivals in Italy are one of the best ways to eat well without spending a fortune, particularly outside the big cities. Many are sagre: community events centred on a local ingredient, a seasonal harvest or a traditional dish.

Italy’s 2026–27 school year is approaching, and the return to the classroom will not look the same across the country.

Italy’s 2026–27 school year starts in September, although the exact first day differs by region. The earliest published return date is 7 September, while the latest is 17 September 2026.For families with children in Italian schools, the important dates are not limited to the first day of term.

The Ferragosto fireworks display is the modern legacy of a celebration that originated in ancient Rome and has reinvented itself over the centuries, combining religious devotion with seaside relaxation. From Lake Garda to Lake Como, from Marina di Ravenna to Marina di Ragusa, from Castellammare di Stabia to Ostia and Versilia, every corner of Italy offers its own version of the spectacle.

The 83rd Venice International Film Festival returns to the Lido di Venezia in September 2026.

August in Italy revolves around Ferragosto, the public holiday on 15 August, when plenty of shops and smaller businesses close and cities can feel unusually quiet.

Italy’s events calendar stays busy through the summer holidays, with historic horse races, religious processions and open-air music festivals taking over town squares and arenas.

If you spend any time in Italy in summer, you’ll quickly hear one word over and over again: Ferragosto.

July sits at the heart of the Italian summer and is traditionally the month packed with open-air events: fireworks over the lagoon, opera under the stars, jazz concerts in medieval alleyways, and a horse race that lasts less than ninety seconds but carries a year’s worth of passion. The journey stretches across the country, taking in Venice, Rome, Naples, Siena, Perugia and Genoa. Here’s what to do in Italy in July 2026.

The world-famous Palio di Siena 2026 will take place on Thursday, 2 July 2026 (Palio della Madonna di Provenzano) and Sunday, 16 August 2026 (Palio dell’Assunta). As always, both races are held in the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo in the heart of Siena, Tuscany.

From the I-Days in Milan to open-air gigs in Puglia’s parks, and on to the international buzz of Florence and Lucca, summer in Italy is once again one of the best times of year to catch live music.So which music festivals are taking place in Italy in summer 2026?

If you’re planning a trip or living in the country this year, Italy Pride 2026 will once again light up cities right across the peninsula.

Milan Pride 2026 runs from Saturday 21 June to Saturday 28 June 2026, with the main parade taking place on Saturday 27 June 2026.Milano Pride is the city’s annual late‑June celebration of LGBTQ+ communities and allies.