Which are the best events happening in November in Italy? Explore the truffle fairs of Alba and Acqualagna, head to Lucca for the world’s largest comics fair after Tokyo. Experience the Merano Wine Festival and head to the Alps for the grand opening of the ski season and the first Christmas markets.
FAIR | The White Truffle of Alba Fair
9 OCTOBER – 5 DECEMBER 2021 (ON WEEKENDS)
Alba, near Turin and Milan, Piedmont (Northern Italy)
Alba is a small village in the Piedmont region famous worldwide for its unique and delicious white truffle: one of the most expensive ingredients in the world. Every autumn it holds a big international fair dedicated to this fungus that only grows wild and escapes every method of cultivation. A unique opportunity to taste it, maybe grated on eggs or with truffle topped fresh pasta.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Alba International Fair of White Truffle
CHRISTMAS MARKET | Vipiteno Christmas Market
USUALLY END OF NOVEMBER TO EARLY JANUARY
Vipiteno, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
Situated at almost 1,000 metres above sea level, Vipiteno is a charming small Alpine village located in the Dolomites. Artisans and artists gather in front of the Zwolferturm, built in 1486. Freshly baked pastries, the aroma of mulled wine, local craftsmen and Christmas tree decorations fill the stalls. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of Advent in the village’s alleys and squares.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Vipiteno Christmas Market
EXHIBITION | Italian Garden and Superb American Art Collection at Villa Panza
OPEN ALL YEAR
Varese, near Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
A majestic villa from the XVIII century with a superb Italian garden hosts one of the most prominent and important collections of American art in the world. Villa Panza, donated by Giuseppe and Giovanna Panza di Biumo to FAI (Fondo Ambiente Italiano) in 1996 hosts a permanent collection with works by Dan Flavin and James Turrell among others and several temporary exhibitions. This is a must visit if in Milan. We strongly suggest having lunch at the villa’s restaurant facing the garden.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Villa Panza
EXHIBITION | Grotesque process
OPEN ALL YEAR
Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
In 2006, in order to realize the photographic work Grotto, Thomas Demand, commissioned by Fondazione Prada, used a postcard as his starting point in recreating a grotto located on the island Maiorca. Employing 30 tons of grey cardboard, shaped with the help of a computer and laid out to form a stratification with 900,000 sections, the artist recreated the rock chamber, stalactites and stalagmites displayed on the postcard in order to photograph the work.
> Additional info and tickets Grotesque Process Official Website
CHRISTMAS MARKET | The Peoples Christmas
USUALLY END OF NOVEMBER – EARLY JANUARY
Rovereto, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
The People’s Christmas (Natale dei Popoli) is one of the most famous Christmas-related events in Italy. In the Renaissance town of Rovereto (also home to MART – a beautiful museum) artisans and artists from all over the world gathered in a melting pot of people and cultures. An occasion that celebrates the memory of the fallen of every conflict. Every night hundred of tolls and bells resound in the magic atmosphere.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Natale dei Popoli
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 | Deejay Ten Marathon Rome
(TO BE CONFIRMED)
Rome, Lazio (Central Italy)
One of the most famous marathons held annually, Deejay Ten is organised by radio station Radio Deejay and Italian dj Linus. The motto is “run like a deejay”: thousand of people wear the iconic orange t-shirt and rush across the city for non-competitive run.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Deejay Ten Marathon
FESTIVAL | Barezzi Festival
15-17 NOVEMBER 2021
Parma – near Milan and Bologna, Emilia Romagna (Northern Italy)
A festival that celebrates soul, pop. trip-hop, classic, electronic jazz, fusion, and world music with no fear of borders. Inspired by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi’s patron, Antonio Barezzi, this festival is one of the most up to date music events in the region with first-time artists and established ones.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Barezzi Festival
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
EXHIBITION | Anselm Kiefer at Hangar Bicocca
OPEN ALL YEAR
Milan, Lombardy (Northern Italy)
Since 25 September 2016 Pirelli Hangar Bicocca unveiled the new installation by German contemporary artist Anselm Kiefer. The new show is and expansion of The Seven Heavenly Palaces, a permanent work conceived as a site-specific project in 2004. Five large-format paintings are now on display together with Kiefer’s seven towers.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Anselm Kiefer Installation
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
CHRISTMAS MARKET | Bolzano’s Magic Atmosphere
USUALLY END OF NOVEMBER TO EARLY JANUARY
Bolzano, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
The region of Trentino Alto Adige is famous for its magic atmosphere during Christmas. Surrounded by the snowy peaks of the Dolomites, almost one hundred stalls fill the alleys of the town of Bolzano with their typical products. A stone’s throw from the region’s legendary ski resorts this is a must-visit if you happen to be in Italy during Christmas.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Bolzano’s Christmas Market
CHRISTMAS MARKET | Bressanone Christmas Market
USUALLY END NOVEMBER TO 6 JANUARY
Bressanone, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
Nestling around the splendid cathedral, encircled by proud, centuries-old buildings, visitors are met by a colourful world of tempting scents and unique flavours. Unforgettable insights into traditional arts and handicrafts and coach rides for the entire family round off the festive offering. Cribs, made in laborious manual labor, carved wooden figures, candles, glass and ceramic manufactures fascinate and please the eye of the viewer. Taste the typical specialities from Valle Isarco and enjoy the unique atmosphere on the cathedral square.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Bressanone’s Christmas Market
CHRISTMAS MARKET | The Peoples Christmas
USUALLY FROM END OF NOVEMBER TO 6 JANUARY
Rovereto, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
The Peoples Christmas (Natale dei Popoli) is one of the most famous Christmas-related events in Italy. In the Renaissance town of Rovereto (also home to MART – a beautiful museum) artisans and artists from all over the world gathere in a melting pot of people and cultures. An occasion that celebrates the memory of the fallen of every conflict. Every night hundred of tolls and bells resound in the magic atmosphere.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of the Natale dei Popoli
CHRISTMAS MARKET | Vipiteno Christmas Market
USUALLY FROM END OF NOVEMBER TO 6 JANUARY
Vipiteno, near Venice, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
Situated at almost 1,000 metres above sea level, Vipiteno is a charming small Alpine village located in the Dolomites. Artisans and artists gather in front of the Zwolferturm, built in 1486. Freshly baked pastries, the aroma of mulled wine, local craftsmen and Christtmas tree decorations fill the stalls. Enjoy the magical atmosphere of Advent in the village’s alleys and squares.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Vipiteno Christmas Market
SPORT | Florence Marathon
28 NOVEMBER 2021
Florence, Tuscany (Central Italy)
Florence is one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, if not in the world. What better occasion to explore it than running the 42 km marathon in the city? Think you’re up to the challenge? Prove it and sign up.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Florence Marathon
FESTIVAL | Lucca Comics Fair in Tuscany
(TO BE CONFIRMED)
Lucca, near Florence, Tuscany (Central Italy)
The Lucca International Fair of Comics & Games is the second most important in the world after Tokyo’s one, and the biggest in Europe. It is an annual comic book and gaming convention held every year between the end of October and the beginning of November. A particular occasion to explore one of Tuscany’s most beautiful cities.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Lucca Comics & Games
FOOD&WINE | Merano Wine Festival
5-9 NOVEMBER 2021
Merano, near Venice and Trento, Trentino Alto Adige (Northern Italy)
Second only to Vinitaly (Italy’s huge wine fair held annually in Verona), Merano Wine Festival is a benchmark in the food and wine sector, having started in 1992. A great opportunity to visit the Dolomites, Italy’s most beautiful and famous region of the Alps and taste some delicious local cuisine and wine.
> Additional info and tickets Official Website of Merano Wine Festival
