Festival trip guides

Perched on a volcanic plateau in southern Umbria, Orvieto hosts one of Italy’s most distinctive jazz celebrations each New Year. Umbria Jazz Winter transforms historic palazzi and churches into intimate concert halls from late December through early January, offering a curated alternative to the summer festival in Perugia.

Palermo’s Day of the Dead, known as ‘U Juornu re Muorti,’ is a family-centered celebration on November 2. Unlike Mexico’s Día de Muertos, it focuses on sweet treats like frutta martorana, toy-filled baskets, and intimate cemetery visits. Seasonal Fiere dei Morti markets appear across the city, offering toys and traditional sweets. This guide covers the traditions, the story behind the famous marzipan fruit, and practical etiquette for visitors.

Every December, Parma's historic center glows with festive lights, a grand Christmas tree in Piazza Garibaldi, and open-air markets in Piazza Ghiaia. The 2026 program runs from December 8 to January 6, with markets on select Sundays and holidays. Expect concerts, family theater, an ice rink, and nativity scenes.

Parma, the heart of Italy's Food Valley, offers a year-round calendar of food festivals celebrating its iconic products, from Parmigiano-Reggiano to Prosciutto di Parma. This guide separates the city's events from those in nearby towns like Langhirano and Calestano, provides seasonal structure, and offers practical planning advice.

From the Rossini Opera Festival in August to the San Nicola Fair on the seafront in September, Pesaro offers a distinct cultural rhythm throughout the year. This guide helps you align your visit with the city's most compelling annual events, and tells you exactly how to confirm dates and book tickets.

Discover the Pistoia Blues Festival, held in the historic Piazza del Duomo. Learn about ticket categories, official vendors, venue details, accessibility, and tips for a smooth visit.

Pistoia's festivals blend medieval tradition with modern music. The Giostra dell'Orso in July revives a 13th-century equestrian joust in Piazza Duomo, while Pistoia Blues fills summer nights with international rock and blues. From the Befana's bell-tower descent to Luminarte's winter lights, these events offer compelling reasons to visit throughout the year.

Each summer, the small village of Praiano on the Amalfi Coast celebrates the Luminaria di San Domenico, a festival of fire and light held in the piazza in front of the Church of San Gennaro. This guide covers the legend behind the event, what to expect during the festivities, how to reach Praiano from Positano, and introduces other patronal feasts in the region worth planning around.

The Presepe di Manarola is a spectacular illuminated Nativity scene spread across the hillside. To capture its full beauty, you need to know the best viewpoints. From the convenient main square to the elevated trail with its three viewing areas, this guide explains each spot, the steps involved, and the safety considerations for visiting after dark.

Discover the magic of Manarola's illuminated nativity scene. Learn how this hillside art installation came to be, when to see it glow, and where to stand for the best view.

The Presepe di Manarola is a hillside nativity scene that lights up the terraced vineyards above Manarola each winter. Discover its typical season, daily lighting hours, best viewpoints, and practical tips for visiting this beloved Cinque Terre tradition.

Every Christmas, the hillside above Manarola glows with thousands of lights in the Presepe di Manarola, one of the world's largest nativity scenes. Its story begins in 1961 with a promise made by a retired railwayman named Mario Andreoli, whose handmade figures and dedication have turned a family vineyard into a symbol of community faith. Learn the history and meaning of this beloved Cinque Terre tradition before you visit.