Festival trip guides

Italy's winter runs in three distinct acts: the Christmas markets, a deep January lull, and Carnival. Here is what each one is actually like.

Plan your visit to the Bolzano Christmas market with dates, Piazza Walther hours, parking tips, and the best day trips across South Tyrol.

Plan the Merano Christmas market: stall hours, parking near Piazza Prader, satellite markets in Lagundo and Lana, and how it compares to Bolzano.

Plan your trip to the Verona Christmas market: dates, Piazza dei Signori vs Piazza Bra, Nadalin and pearà, transport, and how it compares to Alto Adige.

Plan your visit to the Florence Christmas market at Piazza Santa Croce with dates, hours, food, transport options, and the city's smaller local markets.

Plan the Milan Christmas market season with neighborhood-by-neighborhood dates, Piazza Duomo and Oh Bej! Oh Bej! locations, ice skating logistics, and metro routes.

Compare Rome's Christmas markets — Piazza Navona, Christmas World, Natale all'Eur, and Giftland — with Metro access, entry costs, and seasonal dates.

Plan around Italy public holidays with a guide to national closures, Ponte long weekends, museum schedules, and city patron saint days.

Vogalonga Venice explained: what the 30km non-competitive row is, next-edition timing, registration costs, the route, and top spots to watch.

Compare Palio di Siena tickets: palchi vs. balcony seating, current price ranges, and how to attend the trial races and contrada street dinners.

Learn how carnival masks in Venice evolved, tell Bauta and Volto styles apart, spot authentic cartapesta artisans, and book a mask-making workshop.

Planning a Venice Carnival trip? Find current ticket prices for masquerade balls, the Arsenale water show, and dinner galas, plus what's free.