Events in Italy
Events in Italy in May 2025 offer a fantastic mix of culture, history, and entertainment, with something for everyone. From the excitement of the Giro d’Italia to the unique charm of National Castles Day, the country is brimming with opportunities to explore its rich heritage and vibrant contemporary scene. Whether you’re into fine wine, art, or outdoor adventures, there’s no shortage of events this month. Here’s a look at some of the highlights across Italy.
Events in Italy: Nationwide Highlights
Cantine Aperte
Date: May 24 – 25
Cantine Aperte returns on the last weekend of May with a new edition focused entirely on hospitality innovation and the latest trends in wine tourism. The 2025 event aims to become the main showcase for Italy’s newest and most exciting ecotourism initiatives.
On May 24 and 25, wineries across the country will open their doors to visitors, offering immersive and original experiences designed to highlight the future of wine travel.
The goal is to turn the event into a dynamic platform for the most creative and diverse experiences developed by MTV (Movimento Turismo del Vino) member wineries—experiences that will be available throughout the year.
National Castles Day
Date: Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 May 2025
On Saturday, 10, and Sunday, 11 May 2025, the 26th edition ofNational Castles Days invites Italians and tourists alike to explore Italy’s rich legacy of history and architecture. Castles, fortresses, towers, and ancient villages across the country—including the islands—will open their gates to the public.
The event spans 42 locations nationwide and features a diverse program of guided tours, talks, cultural hikes, and live concerts.
It’s a weekend of discovery stretching from sea level to 800 meters above, through protected marine areas, newly established parks, nature reserves, and lush valleys with flowing rivers. Breathtaking landscapes await those who explore them on foot, by bike, motorcycle, bus, or train. See here for more details: istitutoitalianocastelli.it
Giro d’Italia
Date: From May 9 to June 1
The Giro d’Italia is one of the most prestigious cycling races in the world, taking riders through breathtaking landscapes, from towering mountains to charming coastlines. Typically starting in May, this three-week race challenges the world’s best cyclists to give their all on varied and demanding terrains, delivering excitement and surprises until the very last stage. A sporting journey that celebrates the love for cycling and the beauty of Italy. More details here
Campania
Paestum Wine Festival
Date: From May 4 to 6, 2025
Italy’s top wine producers will gather in Paestum, the ancient City of Temples, for the Paestum Wine Fest. Set in the historic Tobacco Factory of Borgo Cafasso, the event celebrates Italian wine in a place where archaeology and viticulture meet. Visitors will explore new trends, meet producers nationwide, and discover how wine can drive cultural value, sustainability, and tourism. For more details, see https://www.paestumwinefest.it/
Toscana
DANIEL BUREN. Doing, Undoing, Redoing.
Palazzo Buontalenti in Pistoia is set to welcome a major exhibition celebrating Daniel Buren, a key figure in the global contemporary art world.
The show, titled “DANIEL BUREN. Doing, Undoing, Redoing. In situ and situated works 1968–2025,” will offer a comprehensive journey through his site-specific and context-driven works spanning more than five decades.
For more details, see https://www.pistoiamusei.it/en/mostra/daniel-buren-fare-disfare-rifare-2/
Trentino Alto Adige
Date: from May 22 to 25
From May 22 to 25, Trento will host the Festival of Economics, an important event featuring leading experts, Nobel laureates, academics, and prominent political figures from Italy and abroad.
More details here
Veneto
Venice Biennale
Date: May 10 – November 23
The Venice Biennale is one of the world’s most prestigious cultural events, showcasing contemporary art in all its forms since 1895. In 2025, the International Architecture Exhibition, curated by Carlo Ratti, will explore the theme of intelligence through the lens of architecture, science, and design. From May 10 to November 23, 2025, the event will take place across iconic venues in Venice, including the Giardini, the Arsenale, and other locations throughout the city.
Villa Contarini in Vino
Date: from May 1 to 4
“Villa Contarini in Vino” will be one of the key events in 2025. From May 1 to 4, in the stunning setting of Villa Contarini, over 300 wine labels from wineries across Italy will gather to exclusively showcase their products for “Città in Vino.” An unmissable opportunity to explore and taste a selection of premium wines, complemented by exquisite gastronomic delights.
Lombardia
PianoCity Milano
Date: May 23rd – 25th
In mid-May, PianoCity becomes the highlight of the season, a groundbreaking musical event that has steadily expanded since its inception in 2011. This unique celebration of music doesn’t simply await an audience—it actively engages with them, filling the city’s piazzas, private residences, and unexpected venues with harmonious sounds and gracefully transforming the urban landscape beyond the city’s core. For more details, see here
Piemonte
Henri Cartier-Bresson on display in Turin
Date: From February 4 to June 2
From February 4 to June 2, 2025, the Italian Center for Photography – Camera in Turin will host the exhibition Henri Cartier-Bresson and Italy, which delves into the profound connection between the renowned French photographer and our country. Featuring 160 photographs and numerous periodicals from the era, the exhibition documents Cartier-Bresson’s travels across Italy between the 1930s and 1970s, providing an authentic portrayal of daily life from North to South. For more details, see here
Festival of Green 2025
Data: From May 5 to 25, 2025
The Festival of Green returns, the much-anticipated event celebrating Turin’s urban greenery and surroundings! This year’s edition is even more extensive, offering three weeks of events, meetings, workshops, guided tours, and exclusive openings that will turn parks, gardens, and urban farms into spaces of discovery and sharing. Among the new features of this edition is a whole week dedicated to children and teenagers, with activities in school gardens, museums, and urban farms. There will also be talks, conferences, and book presentations in collaboration with the OFF events of the Turin International Book Fair. For green enthusiasts, the “Verde Svelato” project will offer exclusive access to private gardens in Turin, Cuneo, and Moncalieri. See here
Emilia Romagna
International Kite Festival
Date: from April 24 to May 4
Artevento is the world’s longest-running international kite festival, held annually in Cervia, Italy, since 1981. This vibrant celebration transforms the skies over Pinarella Beach into a canvas of color and creativity, attracting over 250 kite artists and enthusiasts from 50 countries. The festival features artistic, historical, and giant kites, acrobatic flight displays, and cultural performances, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Adriatic coast. Artevento is not just a festival; it’s a global gathering that promotes peace, cultural exchange, and environmental awareness through the universal language of kite flying.