Italian News Headlines 16-02-2025: The Demoskopika Institute has rated Italy at the top of the European Tourism Reputation Index, above Greece and Spain, for the second year running --- Milan bans smoking in the street from 5th January 2025 --- A museum dedicated to Lord Byron is set to open in a house in Ravenna, where the English poet conducted a love affair with the aristocratic owner's wife --- Via Montenapoleone, in Milan, has overtaken New York's Fifth Avenue, to become the most expensive retail destination in 2024, according to a report be real estate group, Cushman & Wakefield --- Matilde Lorenzi, 19 year old Italian junior ski champion, has died following a crash while training in northern Italy --- Italian doctors in Turin have saved the sight of a baby in a surgical procedure that used 3D technology in a world first --- Italian yacht, Luna Rossa Prada Pirelli, loses to Ineos Brittania in the Louis Vuitton America's Cup Challenger Series in Barcelona --- Salvatore (Totò) Schillaci, FIFA World Cup winner in 1990, has died at the age of 59. He was diagnosed with colon cancer in 2022 --- Charles Leclerc wins at Monza for Ferrari in Italian F1 Grand Prix

Calendar of National Holidays & Annual Events in Italy

There are a few major religious and historical celebrations which are National Public Holidays and are celebrated all over Italy. On these days the shops, businesses, museums and other attractions tend to be closed. These are listed below for your convenience.

Some historical events in the larger cities have become big tourist attractions and crowds of people flock to witness the spectacle. We have listed only the most famous for now but will add more later.

Festivals form a large part of life in Italy and these celebrations are not just confined to religion, historical events, art and culture. All over the country everything is celebrated; chestnuts, tomatoes, lemons, pasta, wild boar, mushrooms, wine, local saints and famous people and many other things. The list is endless and varies greatly from region to region but all are fun, colourful and full of life and enthusiasm. They are not included in the list below but don't be surprised to find yourself in the middle of one of them during your holiday.

All Holidays & Events | National Public Holidays | Local Events

Local Calendar

Date Event Location
Dates vary Carnevale
Held during the 2 or 3 weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday.
The 2 major carnivals are in Venice and Viareggio
All over Italy
April 25 St. Mark's Day (Festa di San Marco )
Men traditionally present roses to the woman they love
Venice, Veneto
May 01 Festival of Sant' Efisio
The largest and most colourful religious procession in the world
Cagliari, Sardinia
June
dates vary
Calcio Fiorentino
Historic football game with a difference
Florence, Tuscany
July 02 Palio horse race Siena, Tuscany
July
3rd weekend
Feast of the Redeemer (Festa del Redentore)
A religious festival combined with true Venetian celebrations
Spectacular firework display
Decorated boats
Venice, Veneto
August 16 Palio horse race Siena, Tuscany
Late August / Early September Venice Film Festival Venice, Veneto
September 01 Regatta Storica Venice, Veneto
September 07 Festival San Grato Aosta, Aosta
September 07 Festival of the lanterns (Festa della Rificolona)
An historical event celebrating the birthday of the Virgin Mary
A colourful parade with homemade paper lanterns on sticks
Florence, Tuscany
September 19 Festival San Gennaro Naples, Campania
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