Today’s virtual world might leave us thinking we can get to know any place online, but there’s nothing like the tastes, sights, smells, and sounds of the real world. When it comes to sensory delights, Italian festivals have plenty to offer. With historical carnivals, extreme sports, fine wine, jazz events, and even chestnut celebrations, Italy will delight your palate and excite your imagination. It might even soothe your soul.
Plan your trip in advance with this list of 16 of the best festivals you’ll find in Italy! And before you go, Rosetta Stone has all the tools you need to make the most of your trip. Immerse yourself in Italian with engaging, bite-sized lessons and perfect your accent with our immediate pronunciation feedback. You’ll be saying bon giorno, Italia (hello, Italy) in no time.
1. Storico Carnevale di Ivrea (Historical Carnival of Ivrea)
When: Early January – early February (check exact dates on the official website)
Where: Ivrea
What to expect: The highlight of this carnival is the Battle of the Oranges! Oranges are thrown by the thousands as festival-goers, organized into teams, reenact the town’s rebellion against Marquis of Monferrato. In medieval times, this tyrant had claimed his right to any bride-to-be in Ivrea.
Each year, the festivities are overseen by the Vezzosa Mugnaia (Charming Miller’s Daughter) who is credited with having freed the townspeople from the original tyrant. Despite its dark origins, the carnival is jovial in nature.
There’s more than just citrus pelting happening at this festival, though. You can expect lively parades, fireworks, and a smattering of Ivrea’s best street food throughout the month of celebration. Plus, all Ivrea residents and visitors are expected to don a red stocking cap called the berretto frigio (liberty cap) during the entire carnival season to recall the historical battle.
Fun fact: These orange-throwing teams weren’t just formed yesterday. Some of them date back to 1947!
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2. Festa di Sant’Agata (Festival of Saint Agatha)
When: February 3-5
Where: Catania, Sicily
What to expect: This festival, attended by about a million people a year, celebrates Saint Agatha, the patron saint of the city. Della luminaria (the lights festival) kicks off the events with a procession of 11 huge candles housed in gilded holders. Each one represents a medieval guild!
After a dawn mass, a tall, elaborate statue of the saint—adorned with flowers and topped with flags—is paraded around the city. Later, Catania’s most athletic festival-goers race through town. Should you be lucky enough to join in on the festivities, you can enjoy the fireworks and music at night while eating Italian delicacies like olivette di sant’Agatha, greenish sugar-coated almonds created in Agatha’s honor.
Fun fact: St. Agatha of Sicily’s feast date is February 5, but celebrations also occur on August 17, the date her remains were returned from Constantinople. A famous painting of Agatha’s martyrdom is on display at the Uffizi Gallery in Florence.
3. Carnevale di Viareggio (Carnival of Viareggio)
When: First week of February to the first week of March (exact dates available here)
Where: Viareggio, Tuscany
What to expect: With the Italian coast as its stunning backdrop, this carnival showcases lines of towering floats. Many of these reflect more modern characters, from Godzilla to John Lennon, and contests are held to determine which designs are the most impressive!
Floats are divided into four categories: first-class floats, group masquerades, isolated masquerades, and second-class floats. You can watch the judges make their final decisions or participate in fun-filled events like masked balls and firework shows! There’s even a museum that tells the story of the carnival’s history.
Tickets are available for individual events and the entire month-long carnival.
Fun fact: The Carnival Lab Academy trains future generations to be carnival creators with classes in subjects like robotics and design. Building those floats takes a village!
4. Carnevale di Venezia (Venice Carnival)
When: Usually mid-February to early March (check specific dates here)
Where: Venice
What to expect: Although we briefly mentioned this particular carnevale in our Italian holidays guide, here we offer more detail on one of the world’s most famous carnivals. You’ll recognize this one by its iconic masks and elaborate costumes!
Though typically tied with Lent, some scholars argue that this holiday actually predates Christian practices in this region of Europe. In any case, Carnevale di Venezia is a period of partying and indulging before this largely Catholic city begins a more solemn religious period.
With a strong festival atmosphere, each year’s Carnevale di Venezia centers around a theme. In 2025, events and costumes will reflect aspects of the journey of Marco Polo. You can expect breathtaking outdoor theater performances, costume parades, and extravagant floats!
The Arsenale Water Show—a nighttime show of tableaux vivants on boats in the canals— and the Carnevale Street Show are two standouts. Plus, a longstanding beauty contest between the 12 Marias, women dressed in elaborate traditional clothing, is an experience unique to this carnevale.
These live shows are typically held in Italian, but if you don’t have Rosetta Stone to help you learn Italian in time, English translations for many shows are available!
Fun fact: The masks used in Stanley Kubrick’s famous movie Eyes Wide Shut were all from Venice and a clever nod to this carnevale.
5. Maratona di Roma (Rome Marathon)
When: Mid-March
Where: Rome
What to expect: The marathon offers several different options to allow all levels of runners and walkers to participate. ACEA Run4Rome is a team-based run for participants over age 16, and the fee is actually a donation to a charity of your choice.
With a route of nearly 27 miles, you can take in famous sites like St. Peter’s Basilica, the Colosseum, and the Spanish Steps in one of the most visually spectacular marathons in the world.There are rules to participate, so make sure to check out the link above!
Fun fact: Marathon organizers are working hard to make this event more sustainable by planting trees, avoiding tree waste, and promoting a circular economy. Previous Rome Marathons have received the ISO 20121 certification for sustainability!
6. Vinitaly
When: Mid-April (check dates on the official website)
Where: Verona
What to expect: A three-day event for wine sellers, buyers, and sommeliers, Vinitaly ranks as the most important professional wine event in the world.
The festivals’ emphasis is on Italian wines, which are grouped and judged by category. Even wine journalists receive awards during this mega-event! A fan of reds or whites? Sparkling or sweet? You’ll find every type of wine and then some. And if you’re planning a short trip, It’s an awesome way to try best-of wines from regions you may not have time to visit.
Fun fact: There are over 4,000 participating exhibitors and 30 countries at this festival, which takes place in a UNESCO World Heritage city. The festival also happens in a half-dozen other cities around the world.
7. Sagra del Carciofo Romanesco (Roman Artichoke Festival)
When: Mid-April (check dates here)
Where: Ladispoli
What to expect: Good news for artichoke lovers: Artichokes are a staple in Italy, and you’ll find them featured in dishes across the country. Think stuffed artichokes filled with breadcrumbs, herbs, and pancetta, or a refreshing salad of thinly sliced hearts dressed with lemon and parmigiano.
The Roman Artichoke Festival celebrates the most beloved cultivar of this particular vegetable, which is round and spineless and can be eaten in its entirety. Sample artichokes prepped in an astounding variety of ways, and watch chefs make each dish to pick up cooking tips to bring back home!
In a particularly flashy gesture of love towards this adored produce, large, whimsical sculptures made of artichoke heads are created just for the festival!
Fun fact: The Roman artichoke dates back to 4th century BCE at the time of the Etruscan civilization. Nowadays, this particular artichoke enjoys a Protected Geographical Indication recognized by the EU.
8. Calendimaggio (May Day)
When: Thursday through Saturday during the first week of May in 2024, but dates change
Where: Assisi
What to expect: Enjoy the drama and delight of this springtime festival with a reenactment of the town’s medieval struggle between two neighborhoods, live mandolin music, and singing. With participants dressed in full medieval costumes, experience a dawn celebration, Spring Madonna competition, and splendid parade, complete with torch-carrying young men and ox-drawn carts.
Arrive a week before the festival starts, and you can watch the townsfolk preparing for the festival. It’s a great way to get a ticket for the following week’s events, which tend to sell out, and watch some of the pre-festivities. Enjoy a traditional meal like porchetta (roast pork) on the Piazza del Comune while you wait for the main event!
Fun fact: While in Assisi, take yourself on an architecture tour of this uniquely medieval city. It’s best known as the birthplace of Saint Francis and Clare, who founded the Catholic Franciscan order and Poor Clares, respectively, but it’s also a key reference point for early Italian and European architecture.
9. Festa della Sensa (Festival of the Ascension)
When: The Sunday after the Feast of the Ascension (varies); 39 days after Easter
Where: Venice
What to expect: With charming canals that wind their way through the city, Venice is founded on, shaped, and defined by the ocean’s ever-changing tides. The city celebrates this inseparable pairing in a rather unusual way: an annual vow renewal.
If you’ve cried your way through one too many weddings, don’t forget to pack your tissues for this unconventional matrimony. Every spring, the Venice mayor and other city politicians sail to Lido, a nearby island, on a flotilla to participate in a symbolic marriage of the sea and the city. After the ceremony, viewers can enjoy a colorful regatta (boat race), kite festival, and mass.
Fun fact: The marriage ceremony, which involves the mayor giving a ring to the sea, dates back to the 12th century. The festival also celebrates Venice being known as the Serenissima, the serene city.
10. Infiorata di Noto (Noto Flower Festival)
When: The third Sunday in May
Where: Noto
What to expect: Not to be confused with the Infiorate di Spello, the Infiorata di Noto takes place on the island of Sicily where artists design intricate horizontal murals with flower petals along the main street. These are no ordinary murals though. Some are several blocks long!
Each year’s designs revolve around a theme, but only 16 make the final cut to be included in the official Infiorata. After viewing the scented art, you can stimulate your senses even more at the Noto outdoor markets.
With gorgeous Baroque architecture, the city itself is quite beautiful, earning it a place on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Fun fact: The Infiorata began in the 17th century in Rome in celebration of Corpus Christi.
11. Festa del Grillo (Cricket Festival)
When: The Sunday after the Feast of the Ascension (varies); 39 days after Easter
Where: Cascine Park, Florence
What to expect: Occurring at the same time as the Festa della Sensa in Venice, folks at the Cricket Festival buy toy crickets in delightful little cages. You can also watch a parade of floats and sample the city’s best street food. To this you might say, “tutto buonissimo” (all very delicious).
Fun fact: This tradition started in the 19th century. Up until a few years ago, folks bought live crickets in cages that were often adorned with flowers and released the chirping insects into the grass. Crickets are thought to bring luck in Italy!
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12. Calcio Storico Fiorentino (Florentine Historic Soccer)
When: June (with the final match on June 24)
Where: Florence
What to expect: Originating in the late Middle Ages, calcio storico is a highly seasonal sport with a festival-like atmosphere. Florence is the only city in the world where calcio storico is played, combining aspects of soccer, wrestling, and rugby. Individually, each sport can prove gruesome. In combination, you’re guaranteed to see intense injuries and blood spilled. Some call this the most violent sport in the world.
While it’s not for everyone, this long standing tradition is no doubt a sight to see. Each June, four teams from Florence’s ancient neighborhoods compete against each other to win a place in the final match. When a winner is announced, a parade with historical dress ensues and fireworks top off the evening.
Fun fact: Punching, kicking, tripping, and tackling are common tactics in this brutal sport. Aside from guaranteed injuries, players receive nothing in the form of compensation, save for a free dinner for the winning team.
13. Music festivals
When: July (with a few exceptions)
Where: Marostica, Umbria, and Stresa
What to expect: Several music festivals happen in July in bella Italia (beautiful Italy), all named after the city where they’re held. Here’s a handful of lineups to put on your itinerary:
- Marostica Summer Festival: Concerts are set in the historic town square and have featured such artists as Deep Purple, Annalisa, Simply Red, and Hollywood Vampires.
- Umbria Jazz: Happening at three locations in July, September, and December, this festival doesn’t just showcase jazz musicians! Previous iterations have featured Grammy-award winners and the likes of Carla Bley, Lenny Kravitz, and Herbie Hancock.
- Stresa Festival: With jazz, classical, and contemporary music, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Some concerts are even held next to villas and scenic mountain lakes! The festival extends into early September.
Fun fact: Historians believe that jazz in Italy began in 1904 in Milan. Across the Atlantic, Italian musicians from Sicily participated in some of the earliest jazz bands in New Orleans.
14. Regata Storica (Historical Regatta)
When: First Sunday in September
Where: Venice
What to expect: The most important regatta of the year, this event kicks off with a spectacular parade of historical boats, sometimes carrying costumed passengers, along the Grand Canal. Take in the bissone with their lush bissi fabrics, the bucintoro galley boats, and the Venetian rowing club gondolas while you’re there! As with most festivals, this regatta includes a competition, and this one is boat-themed. Watch the boat race to see who wins!
Fun fact: The Regata Storica in Venice began in the 13th century as a competition to encourage competency among rowers. In 1489, the regatta included a water procession to welcome Caterina Cornaro, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Cyprus, to Venice.
15. Chestnut festivals
When: October
Where: Caprese Michelangelo, Marradi, and the Monte Amiata region
What to expect: October is the month for harvesting chestnuts, an important food in Italy. Some towns, like Marradi, hold their festival every Sunday in October.
Here, you’ll be able to buy numerous products made with chestnuts, from chestnut honey to chestnut liquor! If you’re more keen on snacking at the festival, chestnut polenta and roasted chestnuts are must. Plus, we highly recommend trying the Italian classic, castagnaccio bread, made from chestnut flour.
In the Monte Amiata region, you can even enjoy music and dancing in the streets, which is especially cozy in the cooler weather of an Italian fall.
Fun fact: It is said that giving castagnaccio to your beloved can make them fall in love. We think you’ll at least fall in love with the bread!
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16. Fiera del Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco (International White Truffle Fair)
When: Early October to early December
Where: Alba
What to expect: Truffles, considered a delicacy, are a type of fungus that grows underground. The white variety from Alba is rare and only lasts a short time after it’s harvested, making it a true gastronomic treasure. Luckily, you can find white truffles fresh, prepared, and bottled at this unique festival.
Savor white truffles in risotto, pasta, or flavorful sauces, but they’re often only sprinkled over these dishes due to their price. Exquisite wines, concerts, and even donkey races are also part of the fun!
Fun fact: This plant cannot be produced commercially, since it can only grow in a natural setting.
Get to know Italy even better with Rosetta Stone
The only challenge with traveling to Italy is knowing where to start. We hope this list has helped you make some exciting choices about your next trip!
Since some festival details aren’t announced until a few months before, it’s good to be a little flexible. Go a few days or even a week early to get yourself situated and buy festival tickets. Take advantage of the extra days for a day trip or two along with some fabulous meals.
Aside from packing, don’t forget to study some Italian before you go! Rosetta Stone’s engaging, bite-sized lessons make learning Italian feel fun and natural. Plus, TruAccent gives you instant feedback on your pronunciation to help you speak with confidence.
Written by Rowena Galavitz
Rowena Galavitz is a Spanish translator, bilingual copy editor, and language and literature instructor with three master’s degrees who loves Spanish and all things Mexico.
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