Your Year in Italy: Top Events for 2024

Epiphany | Across Italy 

The legend of the good witch, La Befana, comes to life on the eve of Epiphany, otherwise known as Three Kings Day, which marks the end of Italy’s Christmas season! 

6th January 2024

Carnevale | Venice

Enjoy the Floating City with this one-of-a-kind festival that features spectacular Venetian costume balls, mask contests, and firework displays over the Grand Canal. Learn traditional cotillion dancing and observe parades and historical re-enactments. 

3rd to 13th February 2024 

Battle of the Oranges | Turin 

Just outside Turin in the small town of Ivrea, thousands gather in a centuries-old contest where combat teams throw oranges at one another. The event ends with a big bonfire that marks the eve of Shrove Tuesday. 

11th to 13th February 2024 

Sciacchetrail | Liguria 

See all the sights of Cinque Terre - including the vineyards that produce the renowned sciacchetrà wine - when you join a 30-mile fun run race that starts and ends in Monterosso al Mare. 

23rd March 2024

Easter | Rome & Across Italy

Easter brings street parades, delicious pastries, and hand painted eggs. In Rome, gather in St. Peter’s Square on Palm Sunday for a public view of Pope Francis during his Easter vigil mass. 

30th March 2024

Venice Art Biennale 2024 | Venice 

Experience the 60th edition of the esteemed international art exhibition, held across Venice art galleries and museums. This year’s theme is Stranieri Ovunque (Foreigners Everywhere), focusing on immigrant, refugee, and queer artists. 

Starts 20th April and runs until 24th November 2024 

Vinitaly | Verona 

Enjoy four days of wine tastings at the world’s largest wine exhibition in Verona. For non-trade visitors, the beating heart of your experience takes place in the Grande Enoteca in the city’s historic Piazza dei Signori. 

14th to 17th April 2024

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino | Florence 

This prestigious festival celebrates joy and the spring rebirth. Songs called maggi are sung by flower-adorning groups in Florence. You’ll find a full programme of operas, concerts, ballets, and prose performances for the 86th edition. 

Expected to take place mid-April to end-June 2024 

Flower Festivals | Sicily

Located a 40-minute drive from Syracuse in the UNESCO World Heritage site of Noto, you’ll find a celebration of spring with lavish displays of flowers hanging from balconies and within its baroque churches. 

17th to 21st May 2024

Calendimaggio | Umbria 

Embrace mayday with Assisi’s spring festival. Residents spend a year preparing the dramas and dances in medieval costumes that portray a historical local conflict. 

8th to 11th May 2024 

Monterosso Lemon Festival | Liguria 

A celebration of citrus takes over a village as narrow streets are lined with food stalls. Take the special lemon-scented walk and watch lemon contests and marching bands. 

18th May 2024

Luminara di San Ranieri | Tuscany 

Witness Pisa becoming beautifully lit by candlelight on the evening of the city’s patron saint's feast day, which includes a joyful 300-year-old regatta on River Arno. 

16th June 2024 

Florence Dance Festival | Florence

 Experience the pleasure of movement as Italian and internationally-acclaimed dance troupes put on spellbinding performances in the historical establishments of the Tuscan capital. 

18th June to 20th July 2024

Palio di Siena | Tuscany 

Immerse yourself in the action of Siena’s iconic event, as riders race their horses bareback around the historic Piazza del Campo to a fanfare of medieval parades and gallant celebration. 

2nd July and 16 August 2024 

Umbria Jazz Festival | Perugia 

Tap your toes to the tune of Europe’s top jazz festival in Umbria. Celebrating all forms of jazz, it features a daily street parade and attracts first-class talent, from Sarah Vaughan to Chet Baker. 

12th to 21st July 2024 

Puccini Opera Festival | Tuscany 

Torre del Lago celebrates a special edition of this long-enduring festival that marks 100 years since the death of Italian composer, Giacomo Puccini. Savour performances of his finest operas, including Madama Butterfly, La Bohème, and Tosca. 

12th July to 24th August 2024

Verona Opera Festival | Verona 

Set in the city’s amazing Roman open-air theatre, this is Italy’s finest annual summer opera festival. 

8th June to 7th September 2024 

Ravello Festival | Amalfi Coast 

Head to the dizzy heights of the Amalfi Coast for a musical and arts extravaganza that perpetually honours German composer Richard Wagner. 

2nd July to 30th August 2024

Chianti Classico Expo | Tuscany 

Producers of the highly-lauded Chianti Classico set up booths in Greve’s main piazza for a special event that’s bursting with wine-tasting. Salut! 

Usually in the first fortnight of September 

Stresa Festival | Lake Maggiore 

Delight in scenic lakeside concerts by Lake Maggiore and Lake Orta in this leading classical music festival. 

Expected to be from 12th July to 6th September 2024 

Chestnut Festivals | Across Italy 

A staple food for centuries, the chestnut harvest is celebrated north of Rome and in Tuscany, where you’ll find huge roasting pans (tegliate) dotted about. 

September to October 2024

Verdi Festival | Parma 

Acclaimed composer Giuseppe Verdi is celebrated where he grew up! Enjoy concerts in the historic Teatro Regio and in the Teatro Verdi, just a 45-minute drive from Parma. 

21st September to 21st October 2024 

Sagra del Pistacchio | Sicily 

Treasured in recipes for centuries, pistachios are Sicily’s green gold! Local producers and farmers celebrate them with this unique festival in the town of Bronte, right by Monte Etna. 

Usually mid to late October 

International Alba White Truffle Fair | Piedmont 

Find your nose for truffles in this world-renowned event in Piedmont! Truffle hunters come together with chefs for mouthwatering food stalls, cooking demonstrations, and historical reenactments. 

1st October to 3rd December 2024

Christmas | Across Italy 

December is always alive with festive spirit, and you’ll be enchanted by the traditional Christmas markets and life-sized presepi (nativity displays) in the main cities. 

1st December 2024 to 6th January 2025