Traditional Festival festival guides

Punching and headbutting are legal. Kicks to the head and two-on-one are not. The full ruleset of Florence's calcio storico, and how a match is actually won.

Milan programmes the Castello Sforzesco's courtyard from June to September — theatre, concerts, dance and open-air cinema. What runs, and what else is on.

Estate Fiorentina spreads concerts, cinema and theatre across Florence's gardens and cloisters from June to September. What it covers and how to find it.

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.

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

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.

Rome's founding anniversary falls on 21 April every year. What the Circus Maximus reenactment involves, what is free, and how to plan around the crowds.

Siena's 17 contrade are year-round institutions with their own government, church and museum — not Palio teams. What that means for visiting the city.

Spring is when Italy's calendar reopens — Easter processions, Rome's birthday, wine fairs and a May packed with local festivals, before summer prices arrive.

Verona's Veronetta district fills with traditional street games every September. A UNESCO Good Practice, free to attend, with a guest country each year.