Last Updated on October 22, 2026 by Jo Fitzsimons
Whether you’re planning to visit Italy’s sparkling wine region to go wine tasting, planning a trip to Italy more generally, or looking for a good excuse to drink Prosecco, here are the key dates, holidays and timings to keep in mind. Note: we focus on activities and events in the north of Italy, specifically the Veneto region. However, many of the holidays listed below are national and will apply to the whole of Italy.
Dates: We have included a specific date where the holiday happens on the same date each year. Where the date changes each year, we have intentionally left out the specific dates so the calendar remains relevant each year. A quick search online will give you the correct date for the year you’re visiting.
January
1 January, New Year’s Day – Like many countries around the world, New Year’s Day is a National holiday with many businesses and restaurants, including the wineries, closed so that people can rest after New Year’s eve celebrations.
6 January, Epiphany – Epiphany is a National Holiday in Italy. The Epiphany feast, known locally as La Befana is a religious holiday with a weave of folklore involving a witch flying on her broomstick, searching for baby Jesus and delivering presents to children. Many businesses, including the Prosecco wineries close on this day.
January, many wineries, hotels and restaurants are closed during the first week of January in the Prosecco region. It doesn’t make a trip impossible – just do your research. If you book a tour with us, your driver will do all the planning for you.
2027 Venice Carnival is pretty early in 2027 and takes place from 23 January to 9 February. More at: Carnevale Venezia. See below.
February
Usually Mid-February to early March, Venice Carnival – the famous Venice’s carnivale has been running annually since the 11th century. While it’s a glorious event, crowds can make accommodation and restaurants very busy. Plan ahead. Carnival take place in the two weeks leading up to Shrove Tuesday. Want some calm after the crowds of Venice carnival? Why not book a relaxing trip out to the Prosecco region – only an hour away from Venice.
2027 Venice Carnival is pretty early in 2027 and takes place from 23 January to 9 February. More at: Carnevale Venezia.
March
24 March, European Gelato Day – a day when artisanal gelato is officially tasted in the European Parliament, we don’t think this special day should just be for the politicians. Grab yourself a scoop. Or two.
March to June, Primavera del Prosecco – Spring in Prosecco (Primavera del Prosecco), is a magical time in the region. As the region springs back to life, expect local events from exhibitions, wine tastings and cultural tours of the area. Special packages are available from some hotels, B&Bs and agriturismi. More info at: Primavero del Prosecco.
April
2027 Good Friday is 26 April and Easter Sunday 28 March. Wineries are closed on Easter Sunday 28 March and we are not running tours on Easter Monday, 29 March. We are running tours the rest of the Easter period including Good Friday and the Saturday.
April – May – Valdobbiadene Jazz Festival – annual jazz festival. See the Valdobbiadene Jazz festival page for full details.
25 April – Liberation Day. A national holiday in Italy celebrating the anniversary of WWII resistance and liberation.
March to June, Primavera del Prosecco – Spring in Prosecco continues. More info at: Primavero del Prosecco.
May
1 May – May Day / Labour Day – the first day of Spring is a national holiday in Italy, as it is across Europe. Known in Italy as Calendimaggio or cantar maggio. We do not runn tours on 1 May as the wineries are closed.
6 May 2027 – Feast of Ascension (La Festa della Sensa (festa dell’Ascensione)) is an event in Venice celebrating the city’s 1,000 year old Maritime history and relationship with the sea. The festival includes a boat parades and a “wedding of the sea” ceremony.
April – May – Valdobbiadene Jazz Festival – annual jazz festival. See the Valdobbiadene Jazz festival page for full details.
March to June, Primavera del Prosecco – Spring in Prosecco continues. More info at: Primavero del Prosecco.
June
2 June, Republic Day – Festa della Repubblica is Italian National Day. This holiday celebrates the signing of the Referendum in 1946, which led to the creation of Italy as a republic. The main celebrations take place in Italy’s capital, Rome, and businesses are closed throughout the country. We are running tours on 2 June but please contact us.
March to June, Primavera del Prosecco – Spring in Prosecco continues. See March for details.
June to September – Verona Opera Festival – held in the Arena di Verona, a Roman Amphitheatre that was built in 30AD, the Verona Opera Festival is a not-to-be-missed event in Verona. You can find out more and buy tickets on the official website: Verona Opera Festival.
July
25 July, National Wine and Cheese Day – another great US national holiday we’ve fully embraced.
July and August, Peak Season – Peak travel season starts in July, especially after the schools finish for summer. While it’s a fun and vibrant time to visit Italy, with excellent sunshine, accommodation, our tours get busy. Try to book several months ahead.
June to September – Verona Opera Festival – See June for details.
August
13 August, National Prosecco Day – Pop some corks, your favourite Italian Sparkling wine has a national holiday. Celebrate it, but most of all drink it.
15 August, Ferragosto – The Assumption of Mary, Ferragosto, is another National Holiday in Italy that has religious origins. This catholic holiday coincides with the end of summer and is a celebration of the Virgin May. Businesses and the wineries close for the celebration. We don’t run tours on this date.
August – September, Venice Film Festival – for 10 days, Venice turns into a premier cinematic destination. Located on Venice Lido island, the city is packed with celebrities and film screenings. You can also expect plenty of crowds, so plan ahead for accommodation.
August – September, Sound of the Dolomites (I Suoni delle Dolomiti) – this month-long music festival has one of the most dramatic locations in Italy. An event where music and nature combine. There’s a packed schedule. Combine it with one of our Dolomites Tours. Or turn it into a multi-destination trip – Italy’s Prosecco region is just a few hours away by car or train.
July and August, Peak Season – See above.
Late August, Pre-Harvest Beak – Many of the wineries close for a quick break ahead of the harvest in September. Some wineries remain open so if you book a tour with us, you can leave it to our drivers to know where is and isn’t open each day.
National Peach Month – a great national holiday celebrated in the USA and a perfect excuse to blitz up a Bellini. Interestingly, white peach season in Italy falls earlier, in June and July.
June to September – Verona Opera Festival – See June for details.
September
September and October, Grape Harvest Season – The vines are at their most beautiful in September just before the grapes are picked. Typically they are harvested from the vine late September (though it changes yearly depending on the weather). Processing the picked grapes happens throughout October. In short, it’s a unique and spectacular time to visit the Prosecco region. It also makes it two of our busiest months for our tours. Meanwhile, the wineries are super busy tending their crops and many close to focus on the harvest. While we can typically find wineries to visit, we recommend you book ahead. For more info, check out our guide – When is the best time to visit Italy’s Prosecco Hills?
26 September 2027, Gran Fondo Prosecco – Gran Fondo Prosecco is another bike race that takes place in the Valdobbiadene region. Many of the local roads are closed so we’re unable to offer wine tours.
August – September, Venice Film Festival – See August for details.
August – September, Sound of the Dolomites (I Suoni delle Dolomiti) – See August for details.
June to September – Verona Opera Festival – See June for details.
Giro d’Italia is a three week cycling race through Italy. The date changes each year. In 2026 it took place in September. In previous years it has been as early as May. The race travels through the Prosecco region and local roads are closed. Contact us as we have a few wineries that may be able to offer tours, subject to availability.
October
September and October, Grape Harvest Season – see above.
October to January, Acqua Alta – You may be aware that Venice is sinking but that isn’t what’s behind acqua alta. The regular tidal flooding of Venice (acqua alta) occurs when high tides, plus low pressure and winds coincide, submerging Venice in water. That doesn’t meant that Venice is under water all the time, it just means there’s a risk with the peak ‘risk’ months being November, December and October in that order. Historically, this has meant visitors have faced buying or renting thigh-high wading boots to get around the city. However, The Mose Seawall Project was implemented in 2020 to try and prevent Acqua alta and has so far been successful as holding back the worst of the tides. We’d still recommend checking the Venice City website. And don’t worry, the city is used to flood water – there are elevated boards to get around without waders (unless you want to wade, of course).
August – October, Sound of the Dolomites (I Suoni delle Dolomiti) – See August for details.
Valdobbiadene Jazz Festival, September and October – See September for details.
November
November, Shoulder Season – November is a great time to visit the Prosecco region. The crowds are fewer, the restaurants less busy and there’s more availability at the wineries. Take advantage of great prices.
1 November, All Saints Day – All Saints Day is an international holiday celebrating saints. It’s also known as All Hallows’ Day and, in Italy, as Tutti i santi / Ognissanti. Tours run as normal.
December
8 December, Immaculate Conception – The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is an important day in the Roman Catholic calendar. It’s known as Immacolata Concezione in Italy. Tours run as normal.
24 December, Christmas Eve – some wineries are open for tastings in the morning. Plan ahead and book early.
25 December, Christmas Day – the wineries are closed for this national holiday. If you’re planning to visit Italy over the Christmas period, consider a hotel that has a restaurant attached as many independent restaurants also close on 25 and 26 December.
26 December, Boxing Day / St Stephen’s Day – as with Christmas Day, the wineries are closed for this national holiday.
31 December, New Year’s Eve – some wineries are open on the morning of New Year’s Eve. Get in contact early if you want to plan a wine tasting.
December, Christmas Markets – Italy has some wonderful Christmas markets and there are several in or close to the region.
Book A Tour
If you’d like to visit the Prosecco region on your trip to Italy, here are our Wine Tours as well as our Italy Tours. For more information, please see our FAQs and Reviews.