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TRAVEL: Where to go for New Year's Eve celebrations in Italy

The Local Italy
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TRAVEL: Where to go for New Year's Eve celebrations in Italy
People cheer in front of Rome's ancient Colosseum as fireworks explode to celebrate the new year on January 1, 2015. Photo by ANDREAS SOLARO / AFP.

From a romantic fireworks display over Venice's lagoon to wild partying in Naples, there's a New Year's celebration for everyone in Italy.

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From the mountains of the north to the beaches of the south, the range of potential New Year's Eve destinations in Italy is as vast and varied as its landscapes.

But where you'll most enjoy ringing in the new year of course depends on what kind of celebration you're looking for. 

You might be seeking a fairytale atmosphere, or be more interested in soaking up art and culture; or perhaps you want to party into the early hours with thousands of strangers.

Whatever your interests, there's bound to be a part of the country with just the right end-of-year festivities for you.

For romance

What could be a more romantic New Year's Eve destination than Italy's floating city, Venice.

The splendid firework display put on by the Serenissima every year is reflected in the lagoon's waters; Piazza San Marco and Riva degli Schiavoni are two of the best spots for cuddling up and seeing the action.

As Shakespeare's chosen setting for Romeo and Juliet, Verona is of course the city of romance, with various villas putting on sumptuous New Year's Eve dinners.

There's a San Silvestro classical music concert at the Teatro Filarmonico, and a free concert in the main square of Piazza Bra, which lights up with fireworks at midnight.

For seasonal charm

To embrace some winter cosiness, you'll want to head up into Italy's mountains.

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Trentino Alto Adige, which borders Austria, is one of the most popular destinations for Italians travelling in the winter, with the snow-capped Dolomites providing an unmatched backdrop to festive activities.

In particular, Trento and Bolzano and the ski destinations of Merano and Andalo draw visitors from across the country, with Trento hosting a Great Gatsby-themed NYE dinner and party, and Bolzano holding its first New Year's party since 2019 in Piazza Vittoria, from 4pm to 2am.

Winter sports fans will be able to take advantage of the snow, while less athletic types can bathe in natural hot springs and pay a visit some of Italy's best Christmas markets, which will remain open until Epiphany on January 6th.

Heading west, Courmayeur and Aosta in Valle d'Aosta on Italy's border with France are also popular New Year destinations.

READ ALSO: Italy's Christmas markets: Where and when to visit in 2023

The former is particularly prized for its position at the foot of Mont Blanc, while the latter has announced plans to host its traditional concert in Piazza Chanoux, followed by a DJ set and marching band.

For events and culture

Rome will see 2024 in with a with a massive free NYE concert to be held on the ancient Roman Circo Massimo racetrack, featuring Blanco, Lazza and Francesca Michielin.

Rome's opera house is staging a performance of The Nutcracker, the Mercato Centrale food hall in Termini station is hosting dinner with a live DJ set and midnight toast, and for those wanting to dance the night away in an intimate setting, Alcazar in Trastevere is putting on a NYE event.

READ ALSO: How to make the most of a Christmas break in Rome

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Milan won't be hosting its traditional free concert in Piazza Duomo once again this year due to cutbacks - but that doesn't mean there's not plenty going on.

The La Scala opera house is putting on a production of the ballet Coppélia, and Teatro Arcimboldi will be hosting the one-man show Characters.

The Magazzini Generali is putting on a New York-themed New Year's Eve party featuring a mix of pop, trap and dance hits, and the Giardino dei Visionari is hosting an all-night DJ set from 11pm until 5am.

Often considered Italy's cultural capital, Florence tends to host open air music concerts throughout the city on New Year's, as opposed to one big event. 

This year the events are due to be spread across six piazzas: a jazz concert in Piazza Santissima Annunziata; a gospel choir in Piazza San Giovanni; marching bands in Oltrarno and Piazza Santo Spirito; a classical orchestra in Piazza Santa Croce; music and general entertainment in Piazza del Carmine, and a big concert with Sanremo winner Diodato in Piazza della Signoria, all kicking off around 10pm.

READ ALSO: Where to catch Italy's most impressive Christmas displays in 2023

For raucous festivities

Naples always goes big for New Year's, with the entire city erupting in celebration.

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Fireworks are set off throughout residential neighbourhoods, sometimes at street level - so if you're of a nervous disposition you may want to enjoy the sight from the relative safety of a balcony or roof terrace.

Naples city authorities have yet to publish this year's events programme, but according to local news outlets the traditional New Year's Eve concert will take place on Piazza del Plebiscito with pop band The Kolors, along with Arisa, Jimmy Sax, Valentina Stella, and Enzo Avitabile.

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Comedians Peppe Iodice, Biagio Izzo and Francesco Cicchella will also make an appearance, and on December 30th there will be a rap concert starring Rose Villain.

There will be the usual space dedicated to dancing and partying along the seafront, and on January 1st, a tribute concert to traditional Neapolitan musician Roberto De Simone is scheduled to take place in San Domenico Maggiore.

From December 8th-30th, the city is putting on as many as 150 events, all of which are free to enter.

 

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