Which are the best events happening in February in Italy? Find here the complete list by Where Milan. The very best of events in Milan, Rome, Florence, Venice, Sicily, Naples, the Alps and more. Find out where in Italy your events take place and use our personalized map at the end of this page.
LOCAL FOLKLORE | The Historical Carnival of Ivrea and the Battle of the Oranges
SUSPENDED
Ivrea, near Turin and Milan, Piedmont (Northern Italy)
Carnivals are famous all over Italy. Together with Venice, Viareggio, and Fano, the Carnival of Ivrea represents one of the most famous and charming of the country. It celebrates the Carnival (that time were irony, jokes, and huge food quantities precede those 40 days of fasting before Easter for Catholics) and it commemorates an episode from the Middle Ages when the city was liberated from tyranny. The celebration culminates in the famous Battle of the Oranges, when people start throwing thousand of oranges to each other.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Carnival of Ivrea
LOCAL FOLKLORE | Venice Carnival
6 – 16 FEBRUARY 2021
Venice, Veneto (Northern Italy)
Venice Carnival is a must in Italy. One of the country’s most deeply-rooted traditions, this is the opportunity par excellence to experience the skills of Venetian artisans. The city lights up with exclusive masquerades, fashion shows, festive events, parades, and masked balls. People pack the alleys and bridges of the canals wearing masks: a month full of events and an occasion not to miss if you want to plunge into Italian culture.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Venice Carnival 2019
MUSIC | Opera Season at La Fenice Theatre in Venice
SUSPENDED
Venice, Veneto (Northern Italy)
One of Venice’s landmarks and main attractions, Teatro la Fenice offers its guests an interesting 2020-2021 season featuring a meld of opera, performances, dance and a fascinating symphonic season.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of La Fenice Opera Theatre
GUIDED TOUR | Gran Sasso National Laboratory of Nuclear Physics
OPEN ALL YEAR
L’Aquila, Abruzzo (Central Italy)
Guided tours to the Gran Sasso National Laboratory (LNGS) of Nuclear Physics. One of the most important laboratories in the world for the study of astrophysics and particle physics, this laboratory is located in the stunning landscapes of the Gran Sasso National Park and it features one of the longest underground tunnels in the world.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Gran Sasso Laboratory
SPORT | Serie A League Matches
AUGUST TO MAY
Different cities, Italy
The Serie A League is one of the best football leagues in the world and it is a professional competition for football clubs in Italy and it has been operating since 1929. The winner is awarded the Coppa dei Campioni d’Italia. Football is a crucial part of the Italian way of life and it is certainly worth seeing a match.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Serie A League
FAIR | Artefiera Art Fair
SUSPENDED
Bologna, Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy)
A huge Art Fair which aims to give focus to the Italian Art scene, taking an in-depth look at individual artists and theoretical aspects. This event intends to go beyond the traditional art circuit and the art market.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Artefiera
LOCAL FOLKLORE | Nativity Scenes in San Gregorio Armeno
OPEN ALL YEAR
Naples, Campania (Southern Italy)
Nativity scenes are a must in Catholic culture but when in Naples, this tradition changes from simple ritual to art. Neapolitan artisans have been making presepe (nativity scenes) for centuries. In the city area of San Gregorio Armeno there are hundred stalls selling the most original ones. It is no oddity to find a Nativity Scene where Neapolitan house-wives appear next to Jesus while cooking spaghetti or Italian Politician are found as main actors of these scenes. This is a must visit if in Naples.
> No tickets needed
FESTIVAL | Cento Carnival
SUSPENDED
Cento – near Bologna and Ferrara, Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy)
With its spectacular parades, Cento Carnival is traditionally listed among the most popular carnivals for Italians, usually less crowded with tourists compared to Venice and Viareggio, but not less characteristic. In fact, cento carnival was the first celebration twinned with Rio de Janeiro carnival. Parades usually start from 2pm and go on until 6.30pm. By tradition, stuffed animals and toys are thrown from the carts to the public.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Cento Carnival
SPORT | Serie A Rugby Matches
OCTOBER TO MAY
Different areas, Italy
Serie A is the biggest rugby championship in Italy and it is held every year from October to May. The championship is composed of 4 leagues and 6 teams, playing at home and away. The 2 winning teams of Serie A play against each other in a final match to determine the Eccellenza competition of the following season.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the FIR Serie A
MUSIC | Opera Season in Florence at Maggio Musicale
OCTOBER TO MARCH
Florence, Tuscany (Central Italy)
The Maggio Musicale Fiorentino is an annual arts festival held in Florence and that includes a very important opera festival. Giuseppe Verdi’s Traviata, George Bizet’s Carmen, Mozart’s and Shostakovich’s concerts are just some of the events on the schedule.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Maggio Fiorentino Festival
LOCAL FOLKLORE | Viareggio Carnival
SUSPENDED
Together with Venice, Fano, and Ivrea, the Carnival of Viareggio is one of the most famous in Italy and Europe. It is held annually in the Tuscan city of Viareggio with parade of floats and masks made of paper-pulp depicting caricatures of popular people such as sportsmen, politicians, and showmen. A huge satiric masquerade alongside the beach. Worth going.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Viareggio Carnival
LOCAL FOLKLORE | The Carnival of Putignano in Apulia
SUSPENDED
Putignano, near Bari and Brindisi, Apulia (Southern Italy)
Carnival is a very special festivity for Italy. It precedes the 40 days of partial fasting before Easter and it is the day when everything is allowed: satire, irony, jokes, and huge amounts of food. Masquerade parades are typical of the Carnival and there are a few very famous. In Southern Italy the Apulian village of Putignano hosts the most famous one with huge chariots with locals masks in papier-maché as “Farinella”, music, dances, and local products sold everywhere.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Carnival of Putignano
FAIR | BIT International Travel Exchange
FEBRUARY –> SWITCHED TO 9-14 MAY 2021
Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
The International Travel Fair is an event that brings together tour operators, travel aficionados, and press from all over the world. It takes place every year in February in Milan, and it represents an international meeting point for decision makers.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of BIT International Travel Fair
