Events in Italy in January 2027: Festivals, Carnival and Holidays

The events in Italy in January 2027 begin with New Year’s Day. Next comes the Epiphany on January 6, when the Befana brings sweets to children. Then the month turns to winter sport, to Florence’s menswear fair and to the fire festivals of Sant’Antonio. Finally, the carnival season opens: Venice starts on January 23, and Aosta holds its craft fair on the last weekend. Below are the dates confirmed for 2027. Where a program is not out yet, we give last year’s.

Last updated: October 20, 2026. Dates checked on official event, city or tourism-board websites; see the sources at the end.

Events in Italy in January 2027 at a glance

Public holidays in January 2027 are Friday the 1st and Wednesday the 6th. On those days banks and offices close, and some museums, such as the Vatican Museums, close too.

New Year’s Day (January 1)

January 1 falls on a Friday in 2027, so the holiday makes a long weekend. In Venice, La Fenice opera house plays its New Year’s Concert under Gianandrea Noseda. Performances start on December 29, 2026, and the main concert is on January 1 (Teatro La Fenice). Also, Umbria Jazz Winter in Orvieto runs until January 3 (Umbria Jazz). For the days before, see events in Italy in December 2026.

Epiphany and the Befana (January 6)

January 6 is a national holiday and closes the Christmas season. In Italian folklore, the Befana is a kind old witch on a broom. She fills children’s stockings with sweets, or with coal if they behaved badly. In 2027 the Epiphany falls on a Wednesday. For more, our Epiphany in Italy guide covers the traditions in detail.

• Rome: the Viva la Befana parade walks down Via della Conciliazione toward St. Peter’s every January 6, and watching is free (Turismo Roma). The Christmas market in Piazza Navona traditionally ends that day too, although the 2026-27 dates are not out yet. Last season it ran from December 1 to January 6 (Turismo Roma).
• Venice: every January 6, rowers dressed as Befane race on the Grand Canal. The Regata delle Befane goes from San Tomà to the Rialto Bridge.
• Urbania (Marche): the town hosts Italy’s national Befana festival. In 2026 it ran from January 4 to 6, but the 2027 dates are not out yet.
• Ivrea (Piedmont): the historic carnival opens on January 6, 2027, with a parade of fifes and drums. Then the Battle of the Oranges follows a month later (Storico Carnevale di Ivrea).

The winter sales also start around the Epiphany. The regional rule sets them on the last working day before January 6. That points to Tuesday, January 5, 2027 (Conferenza delle Regioni rule). However, the regions had not confirmed it by October 20, 2026. Also, some areas, such as Valle d’Aosta and Bolzano, set their own dates.

Winter sport events in January

January is the heart of the ski season, and the Dolomites host World Cup races:

• Tour de Ski, Val di Fiemme: the cross-country race ends here from January 8 to 10, 2027. The last stage climbs the Alpe Cermis slope (Fiemme World Cup).
• Alpine Ski World Cup, Cortina d’Ampezzo: women race downhill and super-G from January 15 to 17, 2027, then giant slalom at Kronplatz on January 19. Because the calendar is still provisional, check it again before you book.
• La Ciaspolada, Val di Non: a snowshoe race on January 5, 2027. According to the local press, it also counts as a world championship.

For resorts and passes, see skiing in Italy and Italy in winter.

Pitti Uomo, Florence (January 12–15)

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Pitti Uomo, the menswear fair, fills the Fortezza da Basso in Florence from January 12 to 15, 2027 (Pitti Immagine). It is a trade event with registration, not a public festival. Still, it brings fashion crowds to the city. So if you travel to Florence that week, book early or compare hotels in Florence on Expedia.

Sant’Antonio fire festivals (January 16–17)

Sant’Antonio Abate protects farm animals, and the south marks his feast with bonfires. These festivals have fixed dates, but the 2027 programs are not out yet:

• Fòcara di Novoli (Puglia): a bonfire about 25 meters high, built from vine cuttings. Fireworks light it on the evening of January 16 (Italia.it).
• Mamoiada (Sardinia): bonfires burn in every neighborhood on January 16. Then, on the 17th, the Mamuthones appear for the first time that year, in dark sheepskins and wooden masks (Sardegna Turismo).
• Fara Filiorum Petri (Abruzzo): each district carries a giant reed torch, the farchia, and lights it at dusk on January 16 (Italia.it).

Carnival season begins: Venice and Viareggio

Easter falls on March 28 in 2027, so carnival starts early. The Venice Carnival runs from January 23 to February 9, 2027 (Carnevale di Venezia). Most outdoor events are free, while the balls and dinner shows need tickets. Read our Venice Carnival guide for the program.

For a hands-on way to join in, make your own Venice Carnival mask with a local artisan. Or dress up in a historical carnival costume for photos. Finally, to stay in town, you can compare hotels in Venice on Expedia.

In Tuscany, the Viareggio Carnival opens with a float parade on Saturday, January 30, 2027, at 4 p.m. Fireworks follow. Parades then continue into February, and entry to the parade route is ticketed (Carnevale di Viareggio). See our Viareggio Carnival guide.

Fiera di Sant’Orso, Aosta (January 30–31)

Aosta’s craft fair is more than a thousand years old. It always takes place on January 30 and 31. In 2027 it is the 1,027th edition. Woodcarvers fill the old town. Then the Veillà, an all-night party with music and open cellars, starts at 7 p.m. on January 30 (Fiera di Sant’Orso). Entry is free. Also, our Fiera di Sant’Orso guide explains how to get there.

Tips for planning around events in Italy in January

• January is usually a quiet month in the cities, so outside the holidays museum lines tend to be shorter.
• Book Venice early for the carnival weekends. Likewise, book the Dolomites early for the World Cup dates.
• Days are short, and mountain roads can require snow chains or winter tires, so check local rules. Our guide to trains in Italy helps you plan without a car.
• For weather and packing, read Italy in January.

Sources and verification

We checked every date on October 20, 2026. Each section links to the official source. Where an organizer had not yet announced 2027 dates, we say so and give last year’s edition. We will update this page as the programs come out.

Frequently asked questions

What are the main events in Italy in January?

The main events in Italy in January are New Year’s Day, the Epiphany and Pitti Uomo in Florence. Then come the Sant’Antonio bonfires, the start of the Venice and Viareggio carnivals and the Fiera di Sant’Orso in Aosta.

When does the Venice Carnival start in 2027?

According to the official website, the Venice Carnival 2027 runs from January 23 to February 9. Easter falls early in 2027, on March 28, so carnival starts in January.

Is January 6 a holiday in Italy?

Yes. January 6, the Epiphany, is a national holiday. In 2027 it falls on a Wednesday. Children get sweets from the Befana, and many towns hold parades and markets.

When is the Fiera di Sant’Orso in 2027?

As every year, the Fiera di Sant’Orso takes place in Aosta on January 30 and 31, 2027. The Veillà night party starts at 7 p.m. on January 30.