When to come: a year of festivities in Bologna

Bologna is lovely in every season, but some moments of the year are special. Here are the fixed events the Bolognese look forward to, season by season. Exact dates change from year to year: always check them on the official Bologna Welcome website before you travel.

Winter

• New Year’s Eve, the Rogo del Vecchione. At midnight in Piazza Maggiore, a huge puppet representing the old year is set on fire. A different artist designs it every year, and the square is packed.
• Arte Fiera (January–February). The historic modern and contemporary art fair, with exhibitions and events all over the city.

Spring

• Bologna Children’s Book Fair (spring). The world’s most important fair for children’s publishing, bringing illustrators and publishers from every continent.
• It’s also the best season to walk up to San Luca and enjoy the hills in bloom.

Summer

• Sotto le stelle del cinema (June to August). Every evening Piazza Maggiore becomes a free open-air cinema, showing great classics restored by the Cineteca di Bologna. One of the city’s best-loved rituals.
• Il Cinema Ritrovato (late June). The festival of rediscovered and restored films, a paradise for film lovers from around the world.
• In summer many locals head to the seaside, but the city stays lively with films, concerts and evenings in courtyards.

Autumn

• Cersaie (September). The big international ceramics fair: hotels fill up, so book early.
• San Petronio (4 October). The feast of the city’s patron saint, with events in Piazza Maggiore.

Christmas

• Fiera di Santa Lucia (mid-November to Christmas). Stalls of decorations and nativity figures under the Servi portico in Strada Maggiore: Bologna’s oldest and most local Christmas fair.
• The streets light up and churches display their nativity scenes. The perfect time for tortellini in broth.