Italy in November: Festival & Holiday Calendar
Experience Italy in November – from autumn’s golden hues to cherished celebrations like All Saints’ Day and the start of the Christmas market season.
Below is a curated guide to Italy’s most notable November festivities. Each celebrates the autumn season with unique events and traditions.
Italy in November: Major Holidays and Events
Here are Italy’s most significant November celebrations. Want the whole picture? Browse our November day-by-day calendar for all Italian holidays and events.
November 1: Tutti i Santi (All Saints’ Day)
All Saints’ Day: A time for remembrance and tradition across Italy.
November begins with All Saints’ Day (Tutti i Santi), a national holiday when Italians honor saints and departed loved ones. This solemn yet meaningful occasion brings families together in remembrance.
Italians typically visit cemeteries to clean family graves and place fresh flowers, usually chrysanthemums, which are strongly associated with this holiday. Many attend special church services dedicated to the saints.
The celebrations continue on November 2nd with Commemorazione dei Defunti (All Souls’ Day), when Italians specifically honor their departed family members with additional cemetery visits and prayers.
These days are also marked by family gatherings with traditional seasonal dishes that vary by region – from chestnuts and pumpkin in the north to almond pastries in Sicily. These meals connect generations through shared culinary traditions.
Suggested Read: 21 Famous Italian Symbols & Meanings: Icons of Italy
November 21: Festa della Madonna della Salute (Venice)
Venice honors its salvation with the Festa della Madonna della Salute.
Each November 21st, Venice celebrates the Festa della Madonna della Salute (Feast of Our Lady of Health), commemorating the city’s deliverance from a devastating plague in 1631.
The Venetian Senate commissioned the magnificent Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in gratitude for the end of the plague. Today, locals make a pilgrimage across a temporary pontoon bridge spanning the Grand Canal to light candles and pray for good health.
I’ve witnessed this beautiful tradition firsthand – thousands of Venetians crossing the Grand Canal to the stunning baroque church, creating a river of light as they carry their candles. The day also features special foods, particularly “castradina,” a traditional mutton and cabbage soup served only during this festival.
This celebration represents Venice at its most authentic, away from summer crowds, where local traditions still thrive against the backdrop of autumn mists.
November 30-December: Christmas Markets Begin
Many Christmas markets in Northern Italy, including those in Bolzano, Merano, and other cities, typically open in late November, with many starting around November 30th and continuing until January 6th.
These “Mercatini di Natale” transform historic piazzas into winter wonderlands with wooden chalets selling artisanal crafts, seasonal decorations, and traditional holiday treats. The markets in Trento, Bolzano, and Merano are particularly renowned for their authentic Alpine atmosphere.
Visitors can warm up with a steaming cup of vin brulé (mulled wine) while browsing handcrafted gifts against backdrops of medieval architecture and snow-capped mountains. Many markets also feature live music, nativity scenes, and children’s activities.
While southern Italy’s Christmas celebrations tend to begin closer to December 8th (Feast of the Immaculate Conception), these northern markets offer an early taste of the holiday season in a uniquely Italian-Alpine setting.
Travelling to Italy in November? Knowledge of the weather is crucial. Read our essential guide: Weather in Italy in November.
November in Italy: Day-by-Day Guide
November 1
- Tutti i Santi (All Saints’ Day): A national holiday when Italians honor saints and visit family graves with chrysanthemums.
- Birth of Benvenuto Cellini (1500), the legendary Florentine goldsmith and sculptor whose autobiography provides fascinating insights into Renaissance Italy.
November 2
- Commemorazione dei Defunti (All Souls’ Day): While not a national holiday, this day continues the remembrance of departed loved ones with cemetery visits and prayer.
- Celebration of Trieste’s return to Italy (1954): The formal reunification of Trieste with Italy after complex post-WWII territorial disputes.
Suggested Read: One Day in Trieste: Itinerary & Best Things to Do
November 3
- Birth of Vincenzo Bellini (1801), the Sicilian composer known for his flowing melodic lines in operas like “Norma” and “La Sonnambula.”
November 4
- Giorno dell’Unità Nazionale e delle Forze Armate (National Unity and Armed Forces Day): Commemorates the end of World War I and honors all those who have fallen in wars.
- Birth of Guido Reni (1575), the Baroque painter known for his classical style and religious works in Bologna and Rome.
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November 10
- Birth of Ennio Morricone (1928), the iconic film composer who created unforgettable scores for cinema classics.
November 11
- San Martino Day (St. Martin’s Day): A celebration marking the end of agricultural work for the year, traditionally accompanied by tasting new wine and roasted chestnuts.
November 21
- Festa della Madonna della Salute in Venice: The city commemorates its deliverance from the 1631 plague with processions and special traditions.
November 22
- Feast of Santa Cecilia, patron saint of music and musicians, celebrated with concerts in churches across Italy.
November 25
- International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women: Marked in Italy with red shoes displays and awareness campaigns.
- Birth of Pope John XXIII (1881), the “Good Pope” who called the Second Vatican Council and transformed the Catholic Church.
November 30
- Feast of Saint Andrew: Particularly celebrated in coastal towns, as Andrew is the patron saint of fishermen.
- Opening of many Christmas markets in Northern Italy, especially in South Tyrol and Trentino.
While we diligently verify event dates, confirming with local organizers before planning your visit is always best.
Navigate Italy’s Monthly Celebrations: Discover Italy’s rich tapestry of festivals, holidays, and cultural events throughout the year.
