When you think of Italy perhaps it’s the centuries of culture or the wonderful cuisine that first springs to mind. Or perhaps the breath-taking scenery. But what of the many Italy festivals?
Travel Begins at 40 has compiled our list of the 11 best festivals in Italy you really should not miss in 2024.
Italian Song Festival of San Remo
6 to 10 February
The Italian Song Festival of San Remo (Festival di Sanremo or the Festival della Canzone Italiana) is probably the most celebrated popular Italian music event. First broadcast in 1951, now it is held each year at the Ariston Theatre, San Remo. The competition features unreleased songs by Italian composers with the winner representing the country at the Eurovision Song Contest no less.
Venice Carnival
27 January to 13 February
If you want to have a ball in Italy, then the Venice Carnival is the place to be. The most beautiful city is transformed into one large masquerade as masked costumed revellers intermingle outside the Doge’s Palace, or sail along the Grand Canal. If you can’t afford one of the masked balls then catch the “Flight of the Angel” and the “Festa delle Marie” beauty contest that take place at St Mark’s Square.
Ivrea Carnival
11 to 14 February
In Ivrea, Piedmont each year the Battle of the Oranges (Battaglia delle arance) is played out in front of thousands of travellers from across the globe. Unlike similar events elsewhere this is not a frenzied food fight, but a centuries-old tradition full of pomp and ceremony that celebrates liberty and the honour of the miller’s daughter. Although the event formally starts on 6 January, nothing really gets going until February.
Palio di Ferrara
May to June
Although the Siena version might be more famous, the Palio di Ferrara is the oldest one of its kind in Italy dating back to 1279. A symbol of Italian Renaissance, the palio consists of a month full of races, celebrations and parades, as well as competitions between the eight districts of this beautiful city in Emilia-Romagna, contesting for a precious drape dedicated to Ferrara’s patron saint, Saint George.
Verona Opera Festival
7 June – 7 September
One of the most important music festivals in Italy, the Verona Opera Festival is held in the world’s most spectacular opera house – the Arena di Verona; a Roman amphitheatre built in AD30. In Roman times it held 30,000 spectators, but now some 15,000 can see the most amazing operatic performances. The 2024 Verona Opera Festival season will include performances of Aida, Turandot, Carmen, La Boheme and The Barber of Seville.
Calcio Storico, Florence
June
We all know that the Italians are football crazy, but the Calcio Storico, or Calcio Fiorentino is like no football match you have ever watched. The game is a mix of rugby, football and wrestling – so expect no red cards here – and originated in the 16th century at the Piazza Santa Croce in Florence. Four teams representing the historic districts of Florence compete in semi-finals and then a final played on 24 June – the feast day of the patron saint of Florence, St John the Baptist. The winning team receives a calf.
The Palio di Siena
2 July and 16 August
Make sure you are not strolling the Unesco-listed ancient streets of Siena on 2 July and 16 August this year, as the Tuscan city celebrates its most ancient ritual – the palio, where horse riders representing ten of the city’s seventeen contrade, (districts), race around the ring of rock that covers the Piazza del Campo. The event begins with the blessing of the horses, followed by a parade to the piazza, and finally the race itself.
Umbria Jazz Festival
12 to 21 July
Widely recognised as one of the best jazz festivals in the world the Umbria Jazz Festival is different to other Italian jazz festivals in that it brings jazz music to historic town squares across the province of Umbria, especially in Perugia. Concerts are free and attract large audiences. Even if the music is not to your taste you must be impressed by the amazing settings.
Puccini Festival
12 July to 7 September
Created by Giacomo Antonio Domenico Michele Secondo Maria Puccini himself in 1930, the Puccini Festival takes place in Torre Del Lago open air theatre in Tuscany, a few steps from the Villa Mausoleum, where the composer lived and worked. The perfect setting to enjoy some of the works by one of Italy’s most revered sons, this year Torre Del Lago will stage La Boheme, Tosca, Madame Butterfly and Turandot.
Venice International Film Festival
28 August to 7 September
The annual Venice International Film Festival, officially called Mostra Internazionale d’Arte Cinematografica, is the world’s oldest film festival. Each year you can indulge here in the best of international cinema while rubbing shoulders with silver screen celebrities. This year’s 77th edition of the Venice Film Festival will, as usual, take place on the Lido, the little island next to Venice.
Historical Regatta, Venice
1 September
With no apology for featuring three Venetian events in our round up of Italy festivals, you really ought not miss the Historical Regatta held on the first Sunday of September each year on the Grand Canal. Dating back to 1315, the regatta commences with a beautiful procession of 16th century boats, followed by a series of four races including the regatta of champions on gondolini.
For more information on Italy Festivals and things to do in Italy
Go to the official Italian Tourism website.