Festival trip guides

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.

Salone del Mobile runs 13-18 April 2027 but admits the general public on two days only. How the trade fair and the free citywide Fuorisalone differ.

One classical festival, two cities, two weeks in September. The 2026 edition ran 6-20 September with 60+ concerts, opening at La Scala. How to plan it.

A practical guide to the Naples Christmas markets: San Gregorio Armeno's nativity workshops, the Pietrarsa railway market, and how Naples compares to Alpine Italy.

Naples' festival year: the San Gennaro blood miracle three times over, the May monument openings, summer theatre, and the presepe workshops at Christmas.