13-25 Feb
Carnavale Venice
Venice, Italy
Perhaps the only thing better then seeing the St. Mark's Square without tourists is seeing it during Carnevale, which comes alive with theatrical, dance and acrobatic performances. The most famous and traditional aspect of the festival are the traditional masked balls, which feature elaboate eighteenth-century costumes.
Website
18 - 25 Feb (various dates)
Milan Fashion Week
Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy
In recent years, Milan’s Fashion Week has been extended to include an increasing number of catwalk shows - a clear reflection of the city’s growing importance in the global fashion industry.
8 - 9 Mar (annual)
Rome Marathon
Rome, Italy
Rome’s annual marathon route passes some of the city’s most famous monuments, including the Colosseum and St Peter’s Basilica, the main synagogue and mosque.
25 Apr (annual)
Festa del Bòcolo
Venice, Italy
Venetians celebrate the Festa del Bòcolo on 25 April - San Marco Day. Men all over the city give the women in their lives roses: lovers, wives, mistresses, friends, mothers and daughters.
1 - 4 May (annual)
Festival of St Ephysius
Cagliari, Italy
Thousands of pilgrims from all over the island of Sardinia, clad in authentic medieval costumes, flock towards Cagliari on 1 May
every year to celebrate the annual festival of St Ephysius.
24 June (annual)
Festival of Saint John
Florence, Italy
Every year on the 24 June Florence dresses up, parades, dances, frolics, sings and celebrates in all possible ways its historical connection to the figure of Saint John.
2 July
Palio di Sienna
Sienna, Italy
For the Siennese, the Palio horse-race around the Piazza del Campo is a matter of life and death.
15 Aug (annual)
Bird Festival
Sacile, Italy
The Bird Festival (Sagra dei Osei) in Sacile occurs the Sunday after Ferragosto, which is on the 15 August every year.
First Sunday Sep
Regatta Storica
Venice, Italy
A trail of strength and skill for the city's gondoliers, this floating parade of antique boats and rowers couldn’t be more photo-friendly if it was invented by a team of Kodak executives. Spectators are expected to support the contestants and may even get issued with the appropriate colours.
22 - 29 Sep (various dates)
Milan Fashion Week
Fiera Milano, Milan, Italy
In recent years, Milan’s Fashion Week has been extended to include an increasing number of catwalk shows - a clear reflection of the city’s growing importance in the global fashion industry.
Oct (annual)
Witches in Selvino
Selvino, Italy
Witches in Selvino is one of the few Halloween-themed events in Italy.
23 Dec
The Little Shepherdess
Civitavecchia, Italy
Boys and girls wander the streets of the city, armed with guitars, flutes and penny whistles, singing Christmas carols in return for sweets and pocket money.