From food festivals to marathons and art exhibitions, Italy is preparing for a month full of cultural and sporting activities in October 2025. Highlights include the traditional truffle fair in Alba, the Barcolana in Trieste, and the Rome Film Festival.
Nature and gastronomy
On the 4th and 5th, WWF hosts the Urban Nature Festival in several Italian cities, featuring hiking and outdoor activities. The same weekend, Gravel Gourmet takes place in Parma, combining cycling and gastronomy along the routes of the so-called "Food Valley."
In Bronte, Sicily, the traditional Pistachio Festival It takes place over two weekends: from the 10th to the 12th and from the 17th to the 19th. The city is known for producing one of the most popular varieties of the fruit.
The city of Certaldo, in Tuscany, pays homage to the writer Giovanni Boccaccio with the Boccaccesca festival, between the 9th and 12th, offering Tuscan wines and typical dishes from the region.
Sport and culture
The Barcolana regatta, considered the largest in the world, will be held on the 12th in the Bay of Trieste. In Venice, the traditional marathon takes place on the 26th, departing from the Riviera del Brenta to the city's historic center.
In Rome, Tevere Day brings life to the banks of the Tiber River between the 6th and 12th, with boat trips, exhibitions, and artistic performances.
The city of Lucca, in Tuscany, hosts Lucca Comics & Games between October 29th and November 2nd, considered one of the biggest European events dedicated to pop culture and comics.
Truffles, cinema and exhibitions
The Alba International White Truffle Fair in Piedmont begins on October 11th and continues until December 8th. The event brings together local producers and includes culinary exhibitions and themed parades.
In Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the exhibition "Confini: from Gauguin to Hopper" opens on the 11th at Villa Manin. The exhibition runs until April 2026 and features works by Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse, and others.
The Rome Film Festival takes place from the 15th to the 26th at the Auditorium Parco della Musica. This year's edition will feature appearances by names like Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson. There will also be a parallel event aimed at young audiences, Alice nella Città.
Italian Halloween
Although Halloween is not widely celebrated in Italy, cities such as Triora in Liguria and Corinaldo in the Marche organize themed parties with parades, presentations and workshops aimed at children between the 30th and 31st.
Calendar of events in Italy – October 2025
📅 4 5 and October
(I.e. Across the country
Event: Urban Nature Festival
Description: Outdoor activities in green spaces with a focus on the environment. The main event will take place at the Botanical Gardens of Rome.
📅 4 5 and October
(I.e. Parma, Emilia-Romagna
Event: Gravel Gourmet
Description: Bike tour along the gastronomic routes of “Food Valley”, with tastings along the way.
📅 6 the 12 October
(I.e. Rome, Lazio
Event: Tiber Day
Description: Week of activities on the Tiber River, with outdoor sports, art and culture.
📅 9 the 12 October
(I.e. Certaldo, Tuscany
Event: Boccaccesca Festival
Description: Gastronomic and cultural festival in honor of the writer Giovanni Boccaccio, with wines and typical dishes.
📅 October 10-12 and 17-19
(I.e. Bronte, Sicily
Event: Pistachio Festival (Sagra del Pistacchio)
Description: Fair with typical dishes and products made with freshly harvested local pistachios.
📅 October 11th to December 8nd
(I.e. Alba, Piedmont
Event: Alba White Truffle Fair
Description: One of the most traditional truffle fairs in the world, with a market, workshops and cultural events.
📅 October 11 to April 12, 2026
(I.e. Udine, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Event: Exhibition “Confini: from Gauguin to Hopper”
Description: International exhibition with works by Van Gogh, Monet, Matisse and others, at Villa Manin.
📅 October 12
(I.e. Trieste, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Event: Barcolana Regatta
Description: The largest regatta in the world, with thousands of sailboats off the coast of Trieste.
📅 15 the 26 October
(I.e. Rome, Lazio
Event: Rome Film Festival
Description: International event with premieres, tributes and the presence of stars such as Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson.
📅 October 26
(I.e. Venice, Veneto
Event: Venice Marathon
Description: Traditional race with a route that crosses the Ponte della Libertà and ends in the center of Venice.
📅 October 29th to November 2rd
(I.e. Lucca, Tuscany
Event: Lucca Comics & Games
Description: One of the biggest comic book and pop culture events in Europe, with cosplays, tournaments and concerts.
📅 October 31
(I.e. Triora (Liguria) and Corinaldo (Marks)
Event: Halloween Parties
Description: Witch-themed celebrations, costumes, children's workshops, music, and bonfires.
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