For most Italians, the main holiday periods are summer (July and especially August), the Christmas-New Year period and Easter.
Verona has something to attract festival-goers and party-seekers for most of the year - as expected, the main themes are romance, history, the arts and fine food (the best reasons to visit Italy, we reckon). Opera lovers shouldn't miss the chance to see a performance at the Roman Arena during summer's two-month-long opera smorgasbord - what a venue!
November
Festa della Madonna della Salute
21 Nov
festival/event
A procession - over a pontoon bridge - to the Chiesa di Santa Maria della Salute in Venice gives thanks for the city's deliverance from plague in 1630.
All Saints' Day
1 Nov
official holiday
May
Festa dei Ceri
15 May
festival/event
Three teams, each carrying a cero (massive wooden pillars weighing about 400kg/63stones, bearing the statue of a rival saint) race through Gubbio's streets in commemoration of the city's patron saint, Sant'Ubaldo.
Palio della Balestra
last Sun in May
festival/event
Held in Gubbio, this crossbow contest is between the men of Gubbio and neighbouring Sansepolcro; the men dress in medieval costume and use antique weapons.
Labour Day
1 May
official holiday
April
Liberation Day
25 Apr
official holiday
December
Feast of the Immaculate Conception
8 Dec
official holiday
Christmas Day
25 Dec
official holiday
Boxing Day
26 Dec
official holiday
January
New Year's Day
1 Jan
official holiday
Epiphany
6 Jan
official holiday
July
Ardia
6 Jul
7 Jul
festival/event
This dangerous, impressive and chaotic horse race (accompanied by gunshots) at Sedilo, in Sardinia, celebrates the victory of the Roman Emperor Constantine over Maxentius in AD 312.
Arena Opera Season
Jul-Aug
festival/event
The granddaddy of Verona events is this world-famous opera festival, with performances staged in the most impressive of venues - the Roman Arena, dating from the 1st century AD and with a capacity of around 20,000, and guaranteed to send tingles down your spine. Aida makes a regular appearance, and various other operas are staged. See the full programme at www.arena.it, and book well in advance.
June
Republic Day
2 Jun
official holiday
August
Feast of the Assumption
15 Aug
official holiday
February
Festa di Sant'Agata
3 Feb
5 Feb
festival/event
Hysterical celebrations where one million Catanians and tourists follow as a silver reliquary bust of the saint covered in marvellous jewels is carried along the main street of Catania.
Verona in Love
mid-Feb
festival/event
It should be no surprise to discover that the city gets all hearts-and-flowers around Valentine's Day each year. Verona in Love is a five-day festival featuring events inspired by and dedicated to love and romance, with lead roles going to star-crossed local lovers Romeo and Juliet.
March
Vinitaly
late Mar
festival/event
Pack a good hangover cure if your visit coincides with Vinitaly (www.vinitaly.com), a huge international wine festival that's been running for 40 years and attracts thousands of visitors. Much of the festival is geared to trade professionals, but Palazzo della Gran Guardia (on Piazza Brá) is home to 'Vinitaly for You', the evening 'wine store' with food and live music for vino enthusiasts.
Easter Monday
Mar/Apr
official holiday
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