Thinking of booking a villa in Italy this October? Well, once you have found your perfect vacation rental in Italy with us, you are probably going to be looking ahead with excitement to your holiday and what you should see and do. There is never a shortage of wonderful activities to keep you occupied in Italy but at this time of the year, in particular, there are some amazing events, festivals, and celebrations that are taking place in addition to the endless list of museums, cathedrals and churches, architectural gems, famous eateries, natural wonders, and more to explore, see, and do. Here are our picks for the top events to attend on holiday in Italy for October 2024…
Barcolana
4th of October 2024 to the 13th of October 2024
Trieste’s annual Barcolana is the largest sailing event in the world, as recognised by the Guinness Book of Records. The regatta takes place in the Gulf of Trieste, with the so-called Barcolana Village being located in the Piazza dell'Unità, allowing views of the event from the waterfront and hosting the information points, exhibition spaces, various activities that are open to the public, evening entertainment and music on the main stage set up in the piazza, and more. Boating types who are considering a holiday rental in Trieste should definitely pencil this into their itinerary!
Boccaccesca
10th of October 2024 to the 13th of October 2024
Dating back to 1999, this foodie event is named for its location of Certaldo’s most famous son, the medieval writer Boccaccio. Boccaccesca is a grand celebration of the town, its food and wine, the chapters of the Slow Food organisation, and more and sees Certaldo host markets, street food, cooking lessons, cooking demonstrations, tastings, musicians, and more. Book a villa in Tuscany and then come and wander the charming historic streets of the centre of town, take in the incredible scents and sounds, delight in some delicious things, and generally enjoy the charms of this magical part of the world.
Alba International White Truffle Fair
12th of October 2024 to the 8th of December 2024
Of course more than one food festival would have to make it into any list of events in Italy during October and one of the biggest, most celebrated, and most important food festivals in all of Italy throughout the entire year is the Alba White Truffle Fair. Dedicated to one of the most prized and potentially some of the expensive food products from Italy, this massive annual event is a true feast and feast for the senses, taking over the whole town with a diverse programme of food markets, cooking classes, demonstrations, tours of historical buildings, tasting sessions, wine tastings, a truffle museum, the traditional palio event in historical costume (including a donkey race), and more. Whether you are a serious foodie or simply a regular tourist, there is plenty to keep you occupied and lots of delicious things to eat – just book your vacation rental in Piedmont and head to lovely Alba for a day!
Rome Film Festival
16th of October 2024 to the 27th of October 2024
The 19th edition of Rome’s annual Film Festival will largely be held in the Auditorium Parco della Musica, where screenings and the red carpet events will take place. However, a variety of other locations and venues across the Eternal City will also play host to different events that will be part of the wider festival. Dedicated this year to the award-winning actor, Marcello Mastroianni, tickets for the film festival will go on sale about a week before the event and can be purchased through their website. For culture-lovers, adding an international film festival in stunning settings to their vacation in Rome is the perfect way to heighten the experience of this incredible city of culture and art.
Venice Marathon
27th of October 2024
Possibly the most scenic place you could hope to do a marathon, Venice’s biggest annual running event is actually still open for registration! So, if you have been thinking about running a marathon or running another if you have done so before and you are browsing our holiday rentals in Veneto, then maybe it is time to take the leap! With a 10km option as well for those who aren’t quite up for the full marathon and the most remarkable scenery and landmarks to admire along the way, this has to be one of the most unique ways that you can explore Venice.
30th of October 2024 to the 3rd of November 2024
For those who love pop culture, comic books, video games, cosplay, and more, Lucca’s massive annual event that transforms this charming medieval city in Tuscany into one of the major hubs for fans in Europe. A diverse and lengthy programme of all sorts of events takes place in the weeks before the festival and the three days of the event itself with screenings, signings, fan meetings, talks, and more being hosted. The festival also attracts major creators and actors with this year’s edition including appearances by the likes of beloved children’s horror writer R.L. Stine, Squid Game creator Hwang Dong-Hyuk and actors Lee Jung-Jae and Wi Ha-Jun, video game composer Borislav Slavov who composed for Baldur’s Gate 3, and many other special guests. So, if you are a pop culture fanatic and you’re thinking of a fall escape in Tuscany this October, then consider swinging by!