Events in Italy 2025 – enjoy our guide to the must see events in Italy for first half of 2025.
Italy’s calendar is always full of wonderful events and 2025 is no exception. While it would be impossible to create a list of every single event in Italy in 2025, we have tried our best to find a good selection of different events for all tastes and interests. So, here’s a list of our must-see events in Italy in 2025 – month by month from January to June. We hope we’ve found something to keep everyone entertained!
Jubilee 2025
2025 is special in Italy because it’s a Jubilee year. This means that it’s a year of celebration, reflection and pilgrimage for Catholics all over the world. Many Catholics will choose 2025 as a year to visit Italy to embrace the Jubilee celebrations. These actually begin on 24 December 2024, when the Pope opens the Holy Door of the Basilica in Rome. The Jubilee then runs until Epiphany (6 January) 2026. Throughout the year there will be festivities, cultural activities and spiritual experiences to mark the Jubilee and more than five million pilgrims are expected to make the journey to Italy.
January Events in Italy 2025
Epiphany
Across Italy and much of Europe, communities join together on the 6th January to celebrate Epiphany. Officially the 12th day of Christmas, this is the celebration of the moment Christians believe the baby Jesus was presented to the three wise men. Perhaps more unique to Italy, this is also the date when Italian children celebrate the arrival of Befana. According to Italian folklore, on the eve of Epiphany, Befana visits the homes of children across Italy. She is an old lady who travels around on a broomstick delivering gifts to children – filling their stockings with sweets and toys.
More than anywhere else, Befana comes alive in the city of Venice. Every year on the 6th January at 11 o’clock, the Palazzo Balbi, is the starting point for a particularly fun tradition. Dressed-up as maranteghe (Befane), members of the oldest rowing association in the city – the Bucintoro – join to compete to be the first to reach the race finishing line at the Rialto Bridge. While we can’t take part in the race itself, it’s great fun to join the crowds in cheering for their favourite Befana to win the race!
Epiphany celebrations are certainly not exclusive to Venice. However, in Rome events take a more religious focus. Before a special mass at St Peter’s from the Pope, a wonderful procession begins along the Via delle Consolazioni. Hundreds of people dressed in Medieval costumes gather, carrying symbolic gifts for the pontiff. In Florence there is a similar procession from the Palazzo Pitti to the Duomo. All across Italy, many churches will perform living nativities to mark the day. Some of the best are in Civita di Bagnoreggio, Rivisondoli and Custanaci.
February Events in Italy 2025
Six Nations 2025
Rome sees the return of rugby in February, 2025. The oldest tournament in the world will be in Italy’s capital on the 8th and 23rd February and again on 15 March. With fixtures against Wales, France and Ireland, visitors are sure to get a raucous Italian welcome at the Stadio Olimpico. During the matches fans can gather in Villaggio Terzo Tempo in the Parco del Foro Italico. There will be live music, games, food, drinks and the opportunity to watch the matches live on big-screens.
Carnevale
February brings the beginning of carnival season to Italy. Without a doubt, this is one of the most iconic events in Italy in 2025. While there are carnevale all over Italy, the main events are in Venice and Viareggio. In 2025, from the 22nd February to 4th March, Venice will be alive with vibrant processions and celebrations. While in Viareggio the carnival’s opening ceremony will take place on Saturday 8th February with festivities coming to a close on Tuesday 4th March.
Venice Carnevale
Carnevale in Venice is steeped in history. Dating back to 1162 when Venetians first took to the streets to celebrate the victory of the Republic of Venice over Aquileia. Since then, Venetians have marked the victory with celebrations on its iconic streets and waterways. However, in 1797 the event was outlawed by Francis II: the Holy Roman Emperor. He also outlawed the masks worn by Venetians to disguise their identities. Other than passing moments of revival during the 19th century, it wasn’t until 1979 that the carnival in Venice started to resemble the grand celebrations of today. This was thanks the Italian government. They decided to use this historic event to rejuvenate the city’s heritage. Since then, the event has blossomed and today it’s one of the largest celebrations anywhere in the world.
Viareggio Carnevale
Meanwhile in Viareggio, visitors celebrate with bright and colourful parades of floats, featuring people in spectacular masks and costumes. Often these are caricatures of politicians, actors and prominent sporting figures. The Viareggio carnival dates back to1873, and was organised by the wealthy middle-class to parade floats adorned with fresh flowers. By way of protest, many local citizens gathered and donned masks to show their disgust at the high taxes being forced upon them.
Ivrea Carnevale
There’s no argument that the carnivals in Venice and Viareggio are the most famous in Italy. However we also have a little soft spot for the Ivrea Carnevale. This year it will be taking place from 2 – 4 March 2025. We think that this has to be Italy’s messiest festival and also one of the most sweet-smelling events in Italy in 2025. Here you’ll fin festival-goers literally pelting each other with oranges as they parade through the streets in a shower of freshly-smashed orange juice!
The origins of the festival date back to the Middle Ages and commemorate the defiance of the city against a tyrannical member of the Ranieri family. So the story goes, this tyrant tried to rape a young miller’s daughter on the eve of her wedding. Exercising the droit du seigneur. The good news is that, if the story is to be believed, the girl had the last laugh – decapitating the tyrant. This triggered a riot through the streets during which the palace was stormed and burned!
Every year, a young girl plays the part of the miller’s daughter, Violetta. Meanwhile, aranceri (orange handlers) teams on foot, pelt teams of aranceri riding in carts with oranges. Those in the carts represent the tyrants whereas those on foot are the commoners. There are a total of nine combat teams and you must pay an entrance fee if you decide to take part. This is serious stuff – you’ll be kitted out with a helmet for protection. However, with over 400 tons of oranges hurled each day, you’ll be sure to be grateful for it!
Festa di Sant’ Agata
Also in February, in Sicily an important religious festival takes place in Catania: Festa di Sant’ Agata. This festival celebrates the life and martyrdom of the city’s patron saint Agatha. She is believed to protect the citizens of Catania from the mighty power of Mount Etna. In 2025, the event begins on 3rd February and will come to a close on 5th February.
Events begin with a procession at midday on the 3rd. Eleven large candles (cannalori) are carried from the Church of Sant’ Agata alla Fornace to the Cathedral of St Agatha. Following this at 3 pm, there’s a race through the streets of the town. As night falls, the first day is finished with a concert and fireworks. The following morning, there is the Messa dell’ Aurora (Mass at Dawn) and a further procession during which a reliquary bust of St Agatha is placed atop a silver carriage to be through the streets of Catania. The most devoted followers of the saint wear white tunics tied at the waist with a rope. Traditionally, these celebrations continue into the night and on the final day, there is yet another procession after mass.
Milan Fashion Week 2025
Held twice annually, with upcoming autumn/winter fashion showcased during February and March, Italy’s style capital hosts one most anticipated events in the fashion calendar. This year, it takes place from 25th February to 3rd March 2025 in and around Fiero Milano, where you will be able to enjoy more than 100 designer shows.
March Events in Italy 2025
Celebration of the Ides of March
Every year, March 15th sees the celebration of the anniversary of the death of Julius Caesar. A fascinating reinactment of events in the Largo di Torre Argentina takes place in the very heart of Rome. Visitors can spectate as locals act out the part of the Senators plotting the assassination, while Ceasar is warned of what awaits. In keeping with the accuracy of the story, you can also witness Caesar being stabbed 23 times and falling to the floor dead. An actor playing the part of Marc Anthony then performs Shakespeare’s famous lines: ‘Friends, Romans, Countrymen…’ in Italian. Events then culminate in a funeral procession to the Roman Forum and the Temple Divus Julius.
Rome Marathon
Also in Rome, on 16 March 2025, the marathon takes place. Keen marathon runners will already know that routes don’t get much more spectacular than this. The 42 km route takes you past some magnificent historic monuments including St Peter’s Square and the Colosseum. A bonus is that it’s a fairly flat course but runners should be aware of the long stretch of cobbles which can be tricky underfoot. Certainly one of the most strenuous of our recommended events in Italy in 2025!
Palio dei Somari
Even though this palio may not be Italy’s most famous, we think it’s up there as one of the most entertaining. Taking place in Torrita di Siena in Tuscany, rather unusually this is a race between jockeys on donkeys not horses! The event happens on the first Sunday after 19 March, this year 23rd March. The eight districts of the town – Porta a Pago, Porta a Sole, Porta Gavina, Porta Nova, Cavone, Le Fonti, Refenero and Stazione – compete in the race. The first jockey over the finishing line claims victory. The race has been held annually since 1966. The town’s 7000 residents decided they wanted to do something to commemorate St Joseph: the patron saint of carpenters and workers. Like the main palio in Siena, before the event there is an impressive parade that includes dozens of flag throwers.
Easter 2025 Events in Italy
Easter Sunday 2025 falls on the 20th April. This is later than it has been in recent years. Celebrations begin in Italy on Palm Sunday – the Sunday preceding Easter Sunday. This year this is 13th April. As a largely Catholic country, Italy’s Easter celebrations are abundant right across the every community. However, some regions, towns and cities have their own unique traditions which can make Easter in Italy feel really special.
Good Friday Processions
Venerdi Santo (Good Friday) can be quite a sombre affair in Italy. Many churches cloak statues in dark red or black to mark the mood. Across the country procession take place where statues of Jesus and the Virgin Mary are paraded through the streets. Those involved often dress in ancient costumes and carry olive branches or palm fronds.
While you’ll find Good Friday processions in most towns in Italy, the largest and probably most famous takes place on the Via Delorosa in Rome. During ‘The Way of the Cross’, many thousands of Christians, from all over the world travel to the City for a torchlit procession which is led by the Pope. Both Orvieto and Assisi host smaller but very impressive processions too. In Assisi hooded, barefooted penitents lead the Processione del Cristo Morto through the medieval torchlit streets.
Sicily is also home to some of the most impressive Good Friday procession. In Trapani, the Misteri di Trapani is an all day procession. Meanwhile in Enna, 2000 friars walk the the streets, accompanied by the sombre tones of a marching band.
Easter Sunday Celebrations
After the reflective mood of the the processions on Good Friday, Easter Sunday sees a much more celebratory mood descend on Italians and the families. The most impressive celebration is in Florence. The Scoppio del Carro, dates back to the First Crusade. Here an 18th Century cart is pulled through Tuscany’s capital city, accompanies by drummers and flag throwers. After the procession arrives at the Cathedral square, the Archbishop takes his cue to ignite a fuse on a dove shaped rocket. This then flies down a wire meeting a cart full of fireworks, setting off an impressive display. The event begins at 11am and is popular. Be sure to arrive early if you want a good view of the festivities. Click here to see our Florence Apartments.
Another noteworthy Easter event in Italy 2025, takes place in Abruzzo. The Madonna che Scappa in Piazza is centuries old. Here locals dress in the colours of peace, hope and resurrection: green and white. However, one woman who plays the part of the Virgin Mary, is dressed solely in black. As she moves towards the fountain, doves are released and suddenly, miraculously the woman is dressed in green.
Easter Monday Celebrations
Festivities continue into La Pasquetta (Easter Monday) with continued religious celebrations across the country. However, you’ll find one for the most unusual, and perhaps entertaining events in Panicale, in Umbria. The annual Ruzzolone is believed by many to have its origins in Etruscan times. This cheese rolling competition requires giocattori (participants) to attcha a leatehr strap and wooden handle to a 4 kilo round of percorino cheese. They must then roll their cheese through the streets of Panicale. As competitors make their way round the town, when their cheese stops the the spot is marked with chalk. The winner is the participant who finished the course with the fewest ‘strokes’. The prize? Well the cheese of course!
April Event in Italy 2025
Palio della Rana
Residents of Fermignana, a pictureque town in Le Marche, spring into action at this annual frog race – that’s right a frog race! Of course, much like the other Palio we have listed, this is a fiercely competitive event between the seven contrade (areas) of the town. And it lasts three days! Don’t worry frogs are not forced down a race track. Rather they are transported atop cariole – a sort of flat topped wheelbarrow. The event which always takes place on the first Sunday after Easter also involves a a feast and even a mass and Benediction of the frogs!
VinItaly 2025
Taking place in 2025 from 6 – 9 April in, VinItaly is the world’s largest wine event. While the main event is exclusively for wine professionals, there are also several other wine-centric events and activities taking place around the city, such as Fuori Salone di VinItaly. This includes lots of tastings along with food and music as entertainment. Featuring more than 3000 wines form dozens of different countries, wine makers also use the event to showcase new wines.
Milan Design Week 2025
This year taking place from 7 -13 April, Italy’s design capital hosts one of the most iconic celebrations of design and creativity. As always, there will be events across the city with Salone del Mobile being held at the Rho Fiera fairground, showcasing everything new in furniture and furnishings. In 2025 the theme of Fuorisalone will be ‘Connected Worlds’.
Natale di Roma
Every year on 21 April Rome celebrates its birthday! Legend has it that this was the day when Rome was founded by Romulus following the defeat of Remus, his brother. It’s a wonderful day of celebration, with parades and historical re-enactments on Via dei Fori Imperiali. Celebrations are rounded off with a wonderful firework display.
Liberation Day
Since 1946, across Italy on 25 April, Italians take a moment to reflect on their liberation form the Nazis along with the freedom gained following the fall of fascism. Ceremonies take place in Rome at Quirinale Palace and a commemorative wreath is laid by the president at Altare della Patria (the Alter of the Fatherland). While this is a rather sombre day of reflection, Italians still feel it is important to celebrate their liberation and reflect on the history of the country. April 25 was chosen as this as the day that Milan and Turin where first liberated at the end of WW2.
Festa di San Marco
Also on 25 April, Venetians celebrate their patron saint, San Marco. According to tradition, men chose this day to present their loved one with a bocolo (rosebud). Legend has it that this is to recognise the tragic love story of Maria, the Doge’s daughter. This is also the day that the city hosts the Regata dei Traghetti. A very entertaining event, this is a race between gondoliers. However, what makes it different is that they also have a passenger on board! To make sure you get a good view, join spectators on the shore between St Mark’s Square and Viale Giardini Pubblici.
May Events in Italy 2025
Festa di Lavori
1 May is the day that more than 80 countries across the world celebrate Labour or Workers day. Italy is no exception and the largest celebration takes place in Rome. The main event is the Concerto del Primo Maggio where more than half a million people gather to enjoy a concert which is also televised for people to enjoy.
Festival of the Snakes
On the first Thursday in May, which is 2025 is 1 May, the town of Cocullo in Abruzzo hosts Italy’s infamous snake festival. The day commemorates the legend of San Domenico di Sora, the town’s patron saint. Legend has it, he came together with local farmers to render all the poisonous snakes in the region harmless. Running up to the event, Serpari – snake charmers and catchers – collect harmless snakes and hand these out to worshippers. While a statue of San Domenico di Sora is paraded through Cocullo, the crowd drape the live snakes all over it! By the end of the procession, there are so many snakes on the statue that it can barely be seen. These rather unusual festivities are accompanied with music and the distribution of snaked shaped sweets and bread to the crowd.
Calendimaggio
This event always begins on the first Wednesday in May and runs for four days. In 2025 this will be Wednesday 7th – Saturday 10th May. Traditionally, it is a medieval themed celebration, which sees the two rival camps in Assisi take to battle to mark the arrival of Spring. The lower neighbourhoods of the town are the Parte de Sotto and compete with the Parte de Sopre from the upper parts of the town. Games, songs and plays make up the competitions between the two sides. All activities are completed in traditional medieval costume. While the competitors battle it out they are observed by a carefully selected jury: a musicologist, historian and entertainment personality. When the battle is complete, the Madonna Primavera is elected.
Giro d’Italia
The Giro 2025 takes place from 9 May – 1 June. While it’s looking likely that the first stage will be in Albania, the race will soon be in Italy with the final stage taking racers into the centre of Rome. This is now one of the most popular multi-stage cycle races in the world and will be sure to draw an international crowd of cycling fanatics to Italy. As always the route will be varied and challenging. Highlights in 2025 include Matera, Alberobello, Lucca and Bormio.
Festa della Sensa
In 2025 this festival in Gubbio, Umbria will take place on 15 May. The main event is a race where competitors carry ceri. These are large wooden candles which are usually 4 -5 metres tall and weigh as much as 400 Kg! Cerailoi (candle bearers) carry the ceri vertically, as they race through the streets. However, so heavy are their load that they are only allowed to carry the ceri for 70 metres and then it must be passed on.
The candles are mounted with a statue of either Saint Giorgio (blue), Saint Ubaldo (yellow) or Saint Antonio Abate (black). Supporters of each Ceraioli will dress in the colours of their candle. On the morning of the festival, a Ceraioli is nominated to lead out the relay teams, who are tasked with transporting these wooden candles through the town and up the hill to the Basilica of St. Ubaldo, on the top of Mt Ingino. Even though it’s called a race, the Cerailoi must remain in their starting order throughout – with the best Ceraioli chosen by Gubbio’s residents.
Sagra dei Limoni
Held annually on the third Sunday in May, in Monterosso in the Cinque Terre. This is the ultimate celebration of all things lemon! The village is filled with the wonderful scent of lemons and there are almost endless opportunities to taste them, in dozens of different food and drinks including torta al limone, lemon marmalade, and limoncino. This year it takes place on 17 May.
Feast of San Giorgio
Quite possibly Italy’s loudest and most colourful festival. The annual feast of San Giorgio takes place on the final Friday, Saturday and Sunday in May, in Ragusa, Ibla (Sicily). Festivities run over three days; the highlight of which is a procession through the streets of Ragusa. This sees residents carry a statue of San Giorgio (St George) aloft as well as a huge silver casket containing his relics. As the statue is carried up the steps of the Duomo, and put back in its normal position, fireworks illuminate the night sky. This marks the moment the statue is laid to rest for another year. The atmosphere and occasion is added to by a backdrop of booming cannons, ringing church bells and the sound of military bands playing. Click here to see out stunning collection of villas in Sicily.
Festa delle Madonna della Milizie
The Feast of the Madonna delle Milizie is celebrated on the final Saturday of May in Scicli, in South Eastern Sicily. In 2025 this is the 31st. Each year, this event commemorates the attempted Turkish invasion and the successful defence by the Normans, who were spectacularly saved by a sword-wielding Madonna! Locals re-enact the acts of the Madonna for all to see in the central Piazza Italia. As evening falls, the sound of drums preludes the beginning of the re-enactment of the battle and the arrival of the Madonna delle Milizie. A magnificent show of fireworks finishes the evening, while the Turks escape into the night on their boats.
June Events in Italy 2025
Vogalonga
June brings one more regatta to Venice. The Vogalonga Regatta is a non-competitive event between rowers. The idea behind the event is a peaceful protest at the damage to the city by cruise liners, motor boats and the degeneration of the lagoon. In 2025 the event takes place on 8 June. The race follows a defined 30 km route that passes iconic points such as the San Marco Basin, the canals of Murano, and the Rio di Cannaregio. The final leg brings participants to the Grand Canal, near Rialto up to the Punta della Salute.
Verona Opera Season
Verona Opera Season runs annually from June to August and 2025 marks the 112th edition of this world-renowned event. The festival began in1913 and these days it attracts hundreds of thousands of people each year. In the beautiful setting of the Arena di Verona, the Roman amphitheatre that dominates the city’s Piazza Bra, there are a series of wonderful performances to enjoy.
Grand Prix Bordino
Named after the ‘ace’ racing driver Pietro Bordino, this is perhaps the ultimate in classic car events in Italy 2025. Bringing together a celebration of slow travel, food, wine and of course a love of cars, this year the event takes place in Monferrato, Piedmont. A highlight will be a night parade in Casale Monferrato, which is guaranteed to showcase some incredibly well-kept classic cars.
Infiorata
Every year on 9th Sunday after Easter, towns and villages in Italy light up with the Infiorata: a spectacular celebration of flower-formed artwork. While events take place in many towns across the country, the three most spectacular are in Spello (Umbria), Noto (Sicily) and Genzano (Lazio). This year, the festivities take place between the 21 – 22 June, 2025.
In Spello, the event dates as far back as 1831, commemorating the Corpus Domini feast. Whilst Spello seems to be filled with flowers throughout the year, during the Infiorata, the town’s streets are literally paved with more than sixty large flower murals. These are constructed entirely using fresh flower petals. These incredible artworks carpet Spello’s narrow alleys and pavements. The Infiorata in Genzano dates even further back, to 1778. Similarly to Spello, here, fifteen flower panels are created using half a million flowers and seeds.
The festival in Noto has a more modern beginning – as recent as 1980. Here, the Via Corrado Nicolaci (122 metres long and 7 metres wide) is split into 16 sections. Each measuring 6 metres by 4 metres, individually they become a canvas for artists to create incredible pictures using flowers. The artwork is usually all linked via a common theme. In 2025, the Infiorata will be held on 16th May in Noto so you could treat yourself and do both Spello and Noto this year! Click here for our stunning villas in Sicily and here for our collection of villas an apartments in Spello.
Spoleto Festival dei Duo Mondi
From 27 June to 13 July 2025, Spoleto will host the annual Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of the Two Worlds). Originally, the idea behind the festival name was to showcase American and European culture within the same event — emboldened by a sister event held in South Carolina — and the event has evolved into a three-week festival of art, celebration of music, drama, and dance. The festival began in 1933 and is still going strong today.
Giogo del Ponte
The Gioco del Ponte – Battle of the Bridge – is a historic re-enactment which takes place on the final Saturday in June in Pisa. In 2025 this is 28th. The event starts with a huge procession made up of over 700 participants in elaborate 16th century costumes. IN the crowd o=you’ll find two ‘teams’: the Tramontana from north of the river and the Mezzogiorno from south of the River Arno. Following the procession, the battle officially begins. This preceeds a call to arms, challenges by the ambassadors and the finale: the battle itself. The winners are the team who remain in possession of the bridge following a tug-of-war contest! It is certainly one of the most entertaining events in Italy in 2025.
Accommodation for events in Italy 2025
Whichever event in Italy 2025 you choose, finding the right accommodation can really make your trip. Here at Bookings For You we have decades of experience in helping our guests find the perfect places for holidays in Italy. Click here to see our stunning collection of villas and apartments or contact us for advice on the best places to stay in Italy in 2025.
