From March 14 to August 23, 2026,  the Palazzo Strozzi celebrates modern art master Mark Rothko. Curated by Christopher Rothko and Elena Geuna, the exhibition highlights his deep connection to Florence. It traces his career from early figurative works to his iconic, emotionally intense abstract color fields, featuring over 70 masterpieces loaned from major global institutions like MoMA, the Tate, and Centre Pompidou.

The Cultural Association Amici del Teatro Olimpico, founded in 2008, supports and organise the annual Music Weeks event taking place roughly over six weeks from late April through early June, the festival features a rich and varied calendar of concerts that draws a large audience from Italy and abroad.

In a historic first, internationally renowned artist Marina Abramović will become the first living female artist honored with a major exhibition at Venice’s Gallerie dell’Accademia. Transforming Energy celebrates the artist’s 80th birthday. Curated by Shai Baitel, this unprecedented exhibition integrates Abramović’s pioneering performance art directly into both the temporary spaces and permanent collection galleries, creating a profound dialogue with the institution's historic Renaissance masterpieces.

The Museo Fortuny presents Italy’s first major monographic exhibition of Austrian sculptor Erwin Wurm. Since the 1970s, Wurm has radically expanded the concept of sculpture by blurring the lines between art and daily life, frequently using clothing in ways that echo the legacy of Mariano and Henriette Fortuny.

Explore one of the world's largest and most important contemporary visual art exhibitions! The 61st Biennale Arte presents works engaged with this edition's theme, In Minor Keys. Exhibits are spread across two venues  – Arsenale and Giardini – featuring national delegations from 86 countries shown in both collective exhibition spaces and national pavilions. If you want to try to see it all, count on at least two (very long) days. If you only have a few hours and would like to see some highlights, consider booking one of their reasonably priced tours. 

This association was born 20 years ago and involves 40 cities, making it one of the most important jazz festivals in Italy. The festival’s program has seen the performances of artists like Miles Davis, Keith Jarrett, Tina Turner and many others. Held from June to mid-September with events in places like the “campi” in Venice, the gardens and parks of Venetian villas, castles and city squares.

This town south of Siena has a delicious annual “sagra” festival in honor of pici, thick hand-rolled pasta from Tuscany. During this three day festival, held from 7 pm, long picnic style tables are set out in a piazza for visitors to sample a plate of pici, as its name suggests, “sotto le stelle,” or under the stars!

This ancient Roman arena, known worldwide for its spectacular architecture and the outstanding acoustics, offers to its spectators a glimpse of  history and stunning backdrop for concerts and operas. The most famous of these is its annual Opera Festival which has scene such legendary productions as Aida, Turandot, Traviata. 

This annual procession honors renowned St Anthony, who died in Padua in 1231. It starts after the Solemn Mass, departing around 5:45 pm from the Basilica del Santo. It then takes a path through the streets of Padua: Piazza del Santo, Via del Santo, Via San Francesco, Canton del Gallo, Via Roma, Via Umberto I, Prato Valle, Via B. Luke Belludi, to return to the Piazza del Santo, where the Prayer to Saint Anthony is recited, followed by a blessing with the relic of the saint.

Held on a weekend of June, San Quirico commemorates the meeting between Emperor Frederick the First, Barbarossa, and Pope Adrian IV's papal emissaries in this town in in 1155. The lively festival features medieval costume parades, flag throwing, archery competitions and other activities.

This world-famous horse race takes place in Siena’s Piazza del Campo every year on July 2nd and August 16th. The bareback race, featuring rival racers from the various Sienese "contrade", or city districts, dates back to Medieval times. The atmosphere throughout the city is already very festive a couple of weeks before the race and so even if you can’t attend the actual race, you can enjoy the ambiance in advance.

Festa del Redentore is an ancient celebration, dating back to 400 years ago. To recall the end of the terrible plague which between 1575 and 1577 killed almost 50.000 venetians. Every summer and for two days hundreds of boats are decorated and meet in St Mark’s Basin and Giudecca Canal. The day is capped off with an exciting firework show.

"One of the most enjoyable musical enterprises of the Tuscan summer."

Found in the very south of the Tuscan, this seaside town hosts a famous “sagra” celebrating the “moscardino” (like a miniature octopus). This is simmered in a tomato sauce and spices and served with toasted bread soaked in broth. The perfect way to end a day on the beach or at the beautiful Natural Park of the Maremma.

One of the best costumed festivals in Italy takes place in this medieval fortified town in July. It features local and professional performers, music, demonstrations of medieval crafts, food and a wonderfully festive ambiance. Check its Facebook page for updates.

This area of Tuscany is prized for its white and black truffles, which are celebrated in this annual “sagra del tartufo”. Visitors can savor this prestigious ingredient in a range of dishes from antipasto to pasta.

This world-famous horse race takes place in Siena’s Piazza del Campo every year on July 2nd and August 16th. The bareback race, featuring rival racers from the various Sienese "contrade", or city districts, dates back to Medieval times. The atmosphere throughout the city is already very festive a couple of weeks before the race and so even if you can’t attend the actual race, you can enjoy the ambiance in advance.

An alternative “palio” which was begun in 1974 as a revival of the Medieval horse races once held, this barrel rolling race takes place in Montepulciano on the last Sunday in August. The competition is between the eight contradas ( districts) of Montepulciano, each with its own cloth banner. The 80-kg barrels have to be rolled uphill along the main street of Montepulciano, until the Piazza Grande. Costume processions precede the competition and a vibrant street banquet follows the race.

The oldest film festival in the world, the Venice Film Festival is one of the "Big Five" (along with Cannes, Berlin, Toronto and Sundance). Every year, the festival premiers the most exciting new features and short films, attracting not just renowned filmmakers, but glitterati of all sorts to the red carpet screenings. 

This Palio is one of the oldest traditions in the Veneto. It recalls the celebrations that took place after the 1259 death of the tyrant Ezzelino da Romano. It consists of a horse race accompanied by folklore games, such as the “gonfalone” (banner) race. It is held in the first week of September and lasts for several days over which several events are organized. These include a medieval dinner, craft market and a fascinating evening show of the burning fortress.

The historical regatta, taking place in September, is one of the most exciting popular festivals in Venice. It is an historical commemoration divided into two main parts: the wedding of Venice to the Sea and the boat race. A parade of traditional historical vessels, fronted by the typical boat Bucintoro, compete along the Canal Grande until St Lucia.

Held on the first three Sundays of September in the Medieval town of Monselice, this festival commemorates Emperor Frederick ІІ of Swabia stay in 1239. It features archery and strength competitions, a relay race, a chess tournament, the Quintana horse racing, reenactments of medieval arts and crafts, and parades. 

One of the oldest country fairs in the Veneto, the Fiera del Soco combines historical reenactments and modern festivities that involve the whole village of Grisignano di Zocco. Concerts and other public shows are held, as well as medieval games and puppet shows for children. There is also a huge open air craft market winding through the town center. Those who love good cooking will find many stands where you can sample and buy typical local products. 

The wine festival in Vo’ is one of the liveliest and most attended events in autumn thanks to its many activities and attractions. These include a bike tour around the Euganean hills and the tastings of local wines and cakes, and a spectacular parade of floats made entirely of grapes.