Festival trip guides

Estate Romana turns Rome's ruins and riverbanks into venues from June to October. What the programme covers, what is free, and how to find the schedule.

Rome's oldest neighbourhood feast runs two weeks each July in Trastevere. The processions, the free events, the recurrence rule and what to expect.

The Rome Film Fest runs 14-25 October 2026 at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. How public tickets work, what the red carpet involves, and where to stay.

Florence's lantern procession fills Piazza Santissima Annunziata every 7 September. The route, the timings, and the odd tradition of shooting the lanterns.

Venice still marries the sea every Ascension Sunday, throwing a ring into the lagoon off San Nicolò. The rule behind the date, and what happens on the day.

The festival that gave the world 'O sole mio still runs around Mergellina each September. What survives of it, what does not, and how to check before you go.

Naples waits three times a year for San Gennaro's blood to liquefy. The dates, what happens in the Duomo, and how to attend the 19 September ceremony.

Florence's patron saint day on 24 June brings the Calcio Storico final and fireworks from Piazzale Michelangelo. Timings, viewing spots and what closes.

Florence's festival year: the Easter cart explosion, the 24 June patron saint day and Calcio Storico, the summer programme, and the September lantern festival.

December in Italy splits in two: a month of Christmas markets, then a near-total shutdown from 24 December. Here is what runs, what closes, and when.

Naples opens palaces, cloisters and churches for a month each May with 200+ mostly free events. How the programme works and why booking matters.

Milan's calendar runs on two dates: Design Week in April and Sant'Ambrogio on 7 December. Plus the carnival that ends four days after everyone else's.