Ravenna 2026: The Complete Guide to Unmissable Events in the City of Mosaics
Ravenna is not only the keeper of eight UNESCO World Heritage monuments and the most extraordinary Byzantine mosaics in the world. It is a living city, pulsating with events that span all seasons, from international music to gastronomic traditions, from sports to contemporary culture. As a tourist guide with years of experience in the Ravenna territory, I have prepared for you a complete calendar of unmissable appointments in 2026.
February-March: Art and Traditions to Start the Year
MAR dei Piccoli (January 31 – February 22)
The Ravenna City Art Museum dedicates an entire month to families with interactive exhibitions, creative workshops, animated readings and meetings designed to introduce children to the world of art. A perfect opportunity for a family-friendly cultural visit.
Mattia Moreni: from Species Regression to the Humanoid (March 1 – May 3)
An unmissable exhibition at MAR dedicated to one of the most radical artists of the second Italian twentieth century. Thirty large works document the last twenty years of the artist’s production, from 1980 to 1999, offering a unique insight into his creative evolution.
Bell’Italia in Ravenna (March 19-22)
Romagna’s stuffed pasta are the true protagonists of this gastronomic event in Piazza del Popolo. Cappelletti, tortellini and ravioli stand alongside excellences from all Italian regions, with tastings, meetings with producers and conversations about quality food.
FAI Spring Days (March 21-22)
The Italian Environment Fund opens the doors of places normally inaccessible to the public. A unique opportunity to discover hidden corners of Ravenna’s historical-artistic heritage with special guided tours.
Dantedì (March 25)
The National Day dedicated to Dante Alighieri transforms Ravenna into a widespread stage of celebrations. Events, readings, performances and special visits touch the main Dante sites: from the Tomb to the historic center, for a weekend paying homage to the Supreme Poet who lived here his final years.
April-May: When Ravenna Blooms with Colors and Events
Ravenna in Fiore (April 4-6)
Piazza del Popolo and Piazza XX Settembre transform into an enormous urban garden. Floriculturists from all over Italy display their most spectacular creations, while quality crafts and local food products complete the experience. Three days immersed in the beauty of nature in the heart of the historic center.
Romagna in Fiore (May 1-24)
A solidarity and eco-sustainable festival born within the Ravenna Festival. Widespread concerts in symbolic places of the 2023 flood, locations of great landscape and historical value that are reborn through music.
Ravenna Jazz (May 2-10)
One of Italy’s longest-running jazz festivals, part of the broader “Crossroads” project. Ten days of concerts dedicated to music of African-American origin in various city locations, from downtown to the beaches. An event that envelops the entire Ravenna in a musical embrace.
Ravenna Festival (May 21 – July 12)
The XXXVII edition of one of Italy’s most prestigious cultural events, internationally recognized. Classical music, contemporary dance, theater and performance merge in unique locations: from UNESCO basilicas to Palazzo Mauro De André. Concerts in the Basilica of San Vitale surrounded by Byzantine mosaics represent an unrepeatable experience.
Coconino Fest – 5th Edition (May 30 – June 28)
The festival of the historic publishing house Coconino Press celebrates author comics in dialogue with music, literature, video and theater. Eight exhibitions at MAR and beyond, meetings with cartoonists, shows and performances for a month dedicated to the ninth art.
June-July: Summer Between Music, Sea and Flavors
Beaches Brew Festival (June 9-11)
At Bagno Hana-Bi in Marina di Ravenna takes place one of Europe’s most interesting indie festivals. Free concerts with your feet in the sand that attract thousands of young people from across the continent. An unmissable appointment for lovers of international independent music.
Notte Rosa (June 19-21)
The true New Year’s Eve of the Romagna Riviera colors the beaches and historic center of Ravenna. An early summer weekend that transforms the city into a widespread stage: music, dance, shows in clubs, squares and beach establishments until late at night.
Marina di Ravenna Mussel Festival (July)
Three days dedicated to the Wild Mussel of Marina di Ravenna, counted among the most prized varieties in Italy. The festival involves restaurants from the beaches and the city in a celebration of Romagna seafood gastronomy that delights residents and tourists.
September: The Month of Return and Celebrations
Ammutinamenti – Urban and Author Dance Festival (September 5-12)
At the Artificerie Almagià and other regenerated city spaces, the most innovative contemporary dance takes the stage. National and international companies, free workshops open to all, the Darsena neighborhood with its street art: a festival that reinvents urban spaces through performing arts.
Settembre Dantesco (throughout the month)
Ravenna honors Dante Alighieri with institutional events, literary programs, exhibitions and performances. The culminating moment is the Annuale, the second Sunday of September, with the traditional Ceremony of the oil offering by the Municipality of Florence to the Poet’s Tomb.
Ravenna Park Race (September 6)
A 21 km trail in the splendid setting of the Po Delta Park and the San Vitale Pine Forest. Dirt paths of great naturalistic charm that combine sport and scenic beauty. Perfect also for those seeking a less demanding nature walk.
Kalemana Festival (September 12-13)
At Punta Marina Terme, an Experience Festival that celebrates active lifestyle. Beach yoga, music, dancing, sports activities and wellness in a village immersed in nature. A weekend to step out of your comfort zone and live new experiences by the sea.
Soundscreen Film Festival (September 21-27)
At Cinema Mariani, the relationship between cinema and music is celebrated. Research and experimental works, new talents from the international film scene, with particular attention to films where the soundtrack becomes protagonist.
Pink Running (September 27)
A recreational-sports event with 5 and 10 km routes between the City Darsena and Teodorico Park. Organized with Linea Rosa, the event sends a clear message against violence against women, combining sport and social commitment.
October: Autumn Between Flavors, Art and Nocturnal Magic
Caplèt & Friends (October 8-11)
In Piazza Kennedy, local gastronomic excellences are celebrated. The Romagna cappelletto is the absolute protagonist, accompanied by spoja lorda and other local specialties in an atmosphere of celebration and conviviality.
Nicola Samorì (October 17, 2026 – January 17, 2027)
MAR hosts a solo exhibition on one of the most recognized protagonists of contemporary Italian painting. An opportunity to discover the work of an artist who reinterprets the pictorial tradition with contemporary language.
Notte d’Oro (October 17)
Ravenna’s white night could only be called Notte d’Oro (Golden Night), like the famous Byzantine mosaics. Palaces, museums and monuments remain open in the evening hours with free admission, while squares and streets come alive with shows, concerts and animations. A unique opportunity to experience UNESCO heritage under the stars.
Nightmare Film Fest (October)
At the Cinema and Congress Palace, the festival dedicated to horror cinema takes place. Old classics and new talents of the genre, for an unmissable gathering for lovers of cinematic thrills.
Giovinbacco – Sangiovese Festival (October 23-25)
The largest wine celebration of Sangiovese and Romagna wines invades the streets and squares of the historic center. Guided tastings, meetings with producers and gastronomic stands that enhance the perfect pairing between wine and Romagna cuisine.
November: Year’s End Between Sport, Opera and Sweetness
Ravenna City of Art Marathon (November 8)
A sporting event that is much more than a race. The 42 km marathon crosses the eight UNESCO monuments and the city’s cultural treasures, but there are also 21 and 10 km routes. Side events such as the Family Run, Dogs & Run and “Running without borders” for people with disabilities make the initiative truly inclusive.
Trilogia d’Autunno (November 12-16)
The autumn appendix of the Ravenna Festival dedicated to opera. At the Alighieri Theater, productions are staged that pay homage to great composers such as Verdi and Puccini, transforming the theater into a laboratory of contemporary operatic experimentation.
Art & Ciocc (November 13-15)
The most important artisan chocolatiers in Italy invade Piazza del Popolo. Tastings, exclusive creations, chocolate in all possible shapes for a national tour that stops in Ravenna and delights adults and children alike.
Transmissions Festival (November 19-21)
At Teatro Rasi, Bronson Produzioni presents the most innovative frontiers of contemporary music. A sonic journey through boundary genres and sounds from around the world.
Practical Tips to Best Experience Ravenna’s Events
As a tourist guide who accompanies visitors throughout the year, here are some suggestions to best organize your visit:
Reservations: For high-demand events such as Ravenna Festival, Notte d’Oro and the Marathon, I recommend booking well in advance for both events and accommodation.
Mobility: The historic center is largely pedestrian. During major events such as Bell’Italia or Giovinbacco, I recommend using external parking lots and reaching the center on foot or by public transport.
Winning combinations: Many events lend themselves to being combined with visits to UNESCO monuments. A Ravenna Festival concert in the Basilica of San Vitale can be preceded by a guided tour of the Byzantine mosaics, while during Notte d’Oro you can discover places normally closed to the public.
Food and wine: Gastronomic events such as Bell’Italia, Caplèt & Friends and Giovinbacco are the perfect opportunity to taste typical products, but I also recommend visiting local markets and historic shops in the center.
Beaches and sea: Events such as Beaches Brew and Notte Rosa also involve Marina di Ravenna and other beaches. The distance from the center is about 10 km, easily reachable by car or summer public transport.
Ravenna Awaits You: Plan Your Visit
Ravenna is a city that knows how to surprise in every season. Whether you are art enthusiasts, music lovers, athletes, gourmets or simply curious to discover one of Italy’s most fascinating cities, the 2026 calendar offers appointments for all tastes.
The Byzantine mosaics, the early Christian basilicas, Dante’s Tomb are eternal heritages that await visitors all year round. But experiencing Ravenna during its events means immersing yourself in the authentic soul of the city, meeting the people of Ravenna, sharing traditions and discovering how past and present merge into a unique dimension.
For personalized guided tours that combine UNESCO monuments with scheduled events, please do not hesitate to contact me. My experience as a tourist guide will allow you to experience Ravenna like a true local, discovering not only the most famous treasures but also the hidden corners and local traditions that make this city truly special.
I look forward to welcoming you to Ravenna to share together the beauty of a city that never ceases to amaze!
