• Verona: Vinitaly Wine Fair

    Veronafiere Viale del Lavoro, 8, Verona, Italy

    One of the largest wine events of the year takes over the center of Verona for four days in April. Both trade fair (with 150,000 international operators looking to connect with wineries for distribution and sale) and retail event (lots of tastings open to the public, gala dinners and activities), Vinitaly is a mecca for devotees of the vine. Access ...

  • Bitetto (Bari): Medieval Market

    Unnamed Venue Bitetto, Italy

    During the third weekend in April, the town of Bitetto transforms into an authentic medieval market. Vendors dress up in elaborate medieval costumes and set up stalls using only materials that would have been common in medieval times, such as wood. Items for sale are inspected to ensure their medieval authenticity, and include handmade crafts and food. The parade includes ...

  • Festa della Liberazione: Italian Liberation Day

    On April 25, 1945, Italy was liberated from the grip of Mussolini and the German-Fascist regime. The country celebrates this historic day with parades, ceremonies, and speeches. Rome, as the capital, enjoys the biggest celebrations, including a visit by the President to the Ardeatine Caves Mausoleum, where the Nazis massacred 335 Romans in 1944. Dream of Italy is a membership ...

    Free
  • Lariofiere (Como): Agrinatura

    Unnamed Venue Lariofiere, Italy

    Agrinatura constructs rural villages in the town of Lariofiere in order to give the public a taste of country life. The festival, dedicated to health and nature, includes animal shows, artisan demonstrations, food tasting, and children's events. Access 160 Issues of Our Award-Winning Travel Publication. Get Insider Help Planning Your Trip to Italy.

  • Franciacorta Summer Festival on the Road

    Franciacorta Lombardy, Italy

    This 4-month long festival takes place from May to September and invites guests to explore the vineyards and towns of the northern region of Lombardy has to offer. The festival celebrating Franciacorta, which some regard as Italy's finest sparkling wine, is pulling out all the stops with various events celebrating the food, wine, sports, nature and art of the region. ...

  • Manarola (Liguria): World’s Largest Nativity Scene

    Manarola Manarola, La Spezia, Italy

    You've heard about the world's largest Christmas tree lighting in Umbria and now there is the world's largest presepe in the town of Manarola, one of the five towns in the Cinque Terre. The project was realized by Mario Andreoli, a retired railway worker who has dedicated over 30 years to the installation and in 2007 it was added to the ...

    Free
  • Gubbio (Umbria): Corso dei Ceri (Running of the Candles)

    Unnamed Venue Gubbio, Italy

    One of Italy's oldest and weirdest traditions, Corso dei Ceri, or "Running of the Candles," takes place once a year on May 15th in the picturesque Umbrian town of Gubbio. Three "candles" (actually 30 foot-high wooden pillars) crowned with statues of saints are paraded around the town by "ceraiuoli" and then run up the streets of Gubbio to the Basilica of ...

    Free
  • Firenze dei Bambini

    Florence Florence, Italy

    This festival includes more than 100 events for children and families. Note: Dates have not been confirmed; please check the event website for updates.

  • Gubbio Crossbow Tournament

    Piazza Grande Piazza Grande, Gubbio, Italy

    Every May since 1594, on the last Sunday of the month, the towns of Gubbio and Sansepolcro have competed against each other with crossbows. A nod to Italy's medieval past, the competitors dress up in period costumes and battle to win a gold, silver, or bronze crossbow. Access 160 Issues of Our Award-Winning Travel Publication. Get Insider Help Planning Your ...

  • Cantine Aperte (Open Cellars)

    Since 1993, vineyards all over Italy have opened their cellars on the last Sunday in May (or, in some regions, the first two days of June), encouraging direct contact with wine lovers. From tastings to tours in the vineyards, there will be many initiatives from the Alps to Mount Etna that will celebrate wine. Open Cellars has over time become ...