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Unforgettable New Year in Italy: Best Cities and Traditions for Your Celebration
Italians are known for their love of celebrations, of festive gatherings full of food, friends, fun, and even fireworks. New Year’s is an especially exciting time to find a party in Italy—they have some fascinating traditions and customs.
It probably isn’t surprising that Italians use food to symbolize their hopes and dreams for the New Year, but did you know that lentils are a traditional menu item because they represent wealth and longevity? Or that sausage is served to symbolize abundance?
And don’t forget grapes, because they signify self-control and frugality—from a time when it required great willpower to save one’s grapes from the spring harvest to enjoy on the New Year.
Of course, don’t forget your red undies if you’re partying in Italy—many Italians believe that red undergarments protect you from evil spirits, encourage fertility, and bring you happiness in the coming year. Don’t be surprised to see red underwear in shop windows or hanging in the streets in the weeks before the New Year.
Italian New Year’s celebrations aren’t for the faint at heart. If you plan to party here, be prepared to dance til dawn. There are no lame parties that fizzle out at midnight in Italy!
Intrigued? Then get ready to try something completely new and exciting this New Year’s season at one of these awesome celebrations. Whether you land in Rome, Florence, Venice, or one of the more off-the-beaten-path destinations, you’ll have a blast celebrating the season in Italy.
1. Rome: Discover Why Piazza del Popolo is One of the Best Places in Italy for New Years
If an all-night party with plenty of bubbly in one of the world’s most fascinating cities sounds like your idea of a perfect New Year’s celebration, then you won’t want to miss the bash at the Piazza del Popolo. Watch for the fireworks show at midnight to welcome the new year.
You’ll find plenty of partying all over the city; New Year’s in Rome is famous for its huge New Year’s dinners, free outdoor concerts, and performances (think acrobats and the like). If you love traditional Italian food, you’ll get your fill of regional specialties and uniquely Roman cuisine.
If you’re celebrating the Christmas season in Rome, you’ll love the magical Christmas markets around the city. It’s one of the most beautiful places to get in the Christmas spirit.
Want to make the most of your time before the celebrations? Our City Sightseeing Tours of Rome take you through the city's most enchanting spots - perfect for discovering where you'll want to return when the clock strikes midnight.
2. Rimini: Experience the Longest Italy New Year Holidays on the Adriatic Coast
Piazzale Fellini is the site of a huge New Year’s Eve festival—it’s so over-the-top, it’s usually televised throughout Italy for all the unfortunate people who aren’t actually in this fabulous coastal town to enjoy it in person.
Rimini loves New Year’s so much, the holiday is actually celebrated from December 1 through January 8 each year, the longest New Year’s celebration in the world. Spend your holiday dancing, ice skating, or sipping Prosecco at an amazing outdoor concert.
While in this fascinating region, why not explore its rich culinary heritage? Our Emilia Romagna Tours take you through the birthplace of Italy's most beloved delicacies, from Parmigiano Reggiano to traditional balsamic vinegar.
3. Venice: Why St. Mark's Square is the Most Romantic Where to Go in Italy for New Year's Eve
Everyone knows Venice is a city for lovers, but did you know the city holds the record for the world’s largest kiss-in in 2008? The kiss-in is a favorite tradition—it even won an international award for the best New Year’s Eve event!
You can find lots of fascinating things to do on Christmas and New Year’s in Venice before and after your kiss—fireworks, a romantic boat dinner, or even an opera if that’s your passion. If Venice is on your travel bucket list this year, why not start it off right with New Year’s in this magical city?
Discover the city's hidden romantic corners before the big celebration with our Venice in a Day Tour. You'll find the perfect secret spots to steal a midnight kiss away from the crowds.
4. Florence: the Renaissance City is one of the Best Cities in Italy to Celebrate New Year
If you’re looking for a more cultured celebration, you definitely want to ring in the New Year in Florence. Start with some fine dining at one of the city’s exquisite restaurants before taking in the free concert in the shadow of Michelangelo’s majestic David, and end your celebration at one of Florence’s famous nightclubs (some venues require tickets, so plan ahead and get your tickets early).
Get your bearings in the Renaissance city with our Florence Walking Tours. You'll discover atmospheric piazzas and panoramic viewpoints - perfect spots to return to for the midnight fireworks.
Embark on private day trips and shore excursions from Sorrento or Naples to Capri. These Naples day tours feature a round-tri
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5. Bologna: Experience Ancient New Year in Italy Traditions at Piazza Maggiore
Picture the scene: At precisely midnight, an effigy of the Old Year, designed each year by a different local artist, is wheeled into the piazza and chucked into a massive bonfire, symbolizing the burning off of all of last year’s bad luck, and welcoming the possibilities of the new. It’s a tradition that dates to pre-Christian times, and unlike anything else you’ll find in Italy.
And you definitely won’t want to miss the Fiera del Bue Grasso, or Fat Ox Fair, where a flower bedecked ox is feted and celebrated and eventually raffled off in a lottery for the lucky winner to take home. New Year’s in Bologna is definitely an event to remember.
Want to truly understand this fascinating city? Our Private Bologna Walking Tour reveals the stories behind the traditions, taking you through hidden porticoes and medieval squares where locals celebrate away from the tourist crowds.
6. Ferrara: Why this Hidden Gem is Among the Best Places in Italy for New Years
Ferrara might not top your Italy destination list, but it’s definitely worth visiting on New Year’s Eve if you’re into unusual, and some might even say “peculiar,” celebrations. Start your evening with the Banquet of the Duke d’Este, a ducal feast that actually takes place inside the castle itself, a meal that faithfully recreates its Renaissance heritage in food and music.
Then while away the hours until midnight at the free outdoor concert at the Piazza Castello, culminating in the dramatic burning of the castle, created with advanced fireworks and pyrotechnics. If a cultural tour of Italy is just your style, you’ll love Ferrara—it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site famed for its Renaissance architecture.
7. Orvieto: Where Jazz Makes it One of the Most Unique Places to Go in Italy for New Year's Eve
Orvieto is one of Tuscany’s hidden gems, its eponymous Orvieto wine among the most popular of all the Umbrian varietals. But the city is famous for much more than its lovely wines: During the winter, the entire town takes on a festival atmosphere and comes alive with the boisterous sounds of jazz. Restaurants, shops, public squares, even churches become makeshift jazz stages for life exhibitions throughout the entire month of December.
On New Year’s Eve, the Umbria Jazz Festival concludes with a “Last Supper of Jazz” at the Duomo of Orvieto, an hours-long open-air concert with plenty of Prosecco. It’s the highlight of this sleepy little mountaintop town, and definitely worth a trip if you want to experience something truly one-of-a-kind for your New Year’s celebration.
Extend your Umbrian adventure with our Private Umbria Tour. You'll discover medieval towns and rolling vineyards that make this region truly special - perfect for a more intimate New Year celebration.
8. Naples: the Lungomare Offers the Most Spectacular Fireworks during Italy New Year Holidays
Naples is a bustling, gritty, authentic slice of Italian life, but the Lungomare is an exquisite pedestrian-only seafront strip with fabulous views of Mt. Vesuvius and the island of Capri—a charming and romantic respite from the city itself.
The Lungomare is also the perfect place to enjoy the massive fireworks display at the Castel dell’Ovo. Stroll the waterfront and partake of the New Year’s festivities before heading to Piazza del Plebiscito for the free concert and party atmosphere.
Get insider knowledge of the best firework viewing spots with our Naples Private Tour. A local guide will show you hidden terraces and panoramic points perfect for watching the midnight show over the bay.
9. Capri: Join Celebrities at the Best Place in Italy to Celebrate New Year
If you want to party like a rockstar (or a movie star, for that matter), New Year's celebrations are an unusual thing to do in Capri. Capri is a well-known destination for the international elite, a place to rub elbows with the truly rich and famous.
And its New Year’s celebration lives up to its reputation, with an all-night dance party at the Piazzetta. The CapriHollywood Film Festival takes place over New Year’s, so be sure to bring your camera in case you spot a few film celebrities getting their groove on to the disco music.
Make your island celebration even more memorable with our Private Capri Tour. You'll discover secluded spots where you can toast to the New Year like a true VIP, away from the crowds.
How to Choose the Best Places in Italy for New Years
Choosing where to spend New Year's Eve in Italy depends on your celebration style. For glamorous parties and celebrity spotting, Capri and Venice should top your list. If you're after traditional celebrations, Bologna and Ferrara offer authentic experiences steeped in history. Rome and Florence blend culture with lively festivities, while Naples provides spectacular firework shows. For a more intimate celebration, consider smaller cities like Orvieto with its jazz atmosphere or Rimini's extended holiday season. With so many unique celebrations across Italy, planning the perfect New Year's Eve can feel overwhelming. That's where our expertise comes in - our local guides know these cities inside and out and can help you create an unforgettable celebration tailored to your preferences. Let us handle the details while you focus on counting down to midnight in your perfect Italian destination.
Are you ready to spend New Year’s in Italy this year? Have your heart set on one of these amazing celebrations? Get in touch today to find out how easy it is to plan a holiday tour in Italy—and if you’re not quite ready to have a chat, sign up for our free email course to help you plan your ultimate Italian vacation.
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