Monday, September 28th
Transport strikes in Campania and at Italy's ports
Public transport in Naples and parts of Campania could be disrupted on Monday, September 28th, as AIR Campania staff will strike for four hours, from 8am to noon.
A separate 24-hour strike is also planned across Italy's port sector on Monday, involving workers at ship and ferry companies and port authorities. The action could affect port operations and services nationwide.
READ ALSO: The transport strikes to expect in Italy this October
Festival dell’Acqua comes to Rome
Rome will host the ninth edition of the Festival dell’Acqua (water festival) from September 28th to 30th at the La Nuvola convention centre.
The event will bring together experts, institutions and water-sector operators to discuss issues including climate change, water security, emerging pollutants and the circular use of water.
Wednesday, September 30th
New AI rules for police come into force
New Italian rules governing the use of artificial intelligence in police activities come into force on Wednesday, September 30th. The full decree was published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale.
The legislation adapts Italian law to the EU's AI Act and sets out rules covering the use of AI systems in policing, including areas such as biometric identification and the processing of data.
Airport and local transport strikes
Travellers could also face flight delays and cancellations on Wednesday, as ENAV staff, which deals with aerial traffic control, is due to strike from 1pm to 5pm at Milan Linate, Naples, Bologna and Bari airports as well as ENAV’s offices in Rome.
A 24-hour strike is also planned by public transport staff in Bolzano, so people are advised to check local services and guaranteed travel periods.
Milano Digital Week returns
Milan’s Digital Week will run from September 30th to October 4th, with this year’s edition focusing on “The Generative City” and the role of artificial intelligence and digital technologies in shaping cities and urban life.
The five-day programme includes meetings, workshops and events for businesses, institutions and the public, with SmartCityLab serving as the central hub for research and experimentation.
READ ALSO: Everything that changes in Italy in October 2026
Thursday, October 1st
Romics returns to Rome
The 2026 edition of Romics, the international festival dedicated to comics, animation, cinema and games, will take place at Fiera Roma from October 1st to 4th.
The four-day event will bring together fans, artists and guests of international calibre, with exhibitions, talks, cosplay and other activities.
Friday, October 2nd
Barcolana gets under way in Trieste
The first events of Barcolana — the largest regatta in the world — start this week in Trieste. The programme runs from October 2nd to 11th, and the famous international sailing race takes place on Sunday, October 11th.
The city will host exhibitions, shows, sailing events and other activities ahead of the main race, which attracts thousands of sailors and spectators each year.
Staff in several public and private sectors may strike on Friday, October 2nd. The multisector strike is scheduled for 24 hours – excluding railways, which will be affected between 11am and 2pm.
The extent of disruption will vary by sector and location, so travellers should check with their transport operator.
The strike may also impact schools and non-emergency health services in some regions.
A weekend of autumn sagre begins
The first weekend of October brings a number of food festivals around Italy. In Cotignola, near Ravenna, the Sagra del Vino Tipico Romagnolo runs from October 1st to 4th, celebrating Romagna’s wines.
In Bellegra, near Rome, the Sagra delle Tacchie ai Funghi Porcini ('tacchie' pasta and porcini mushroom festival) takes place from October 2nd to 4th and returns the following weekend.
READ ALSO: Sagra: The best Italian food festivals to visit in October 2026
Rome hosts a weekend of green mobility
Rome will host the sixth edition of Rom-E, an event about sustainable mobility and green technology, from October 2nd to 4th.
The programme includes conferences, exhibitions and green-vehicle test drives taking place mainly around Villa Borghese and Piazza Mignanelli, while Sunday will feature a new 5km Walk & Run through Villa Borghese.
Saturday, October 3rd
More sagre
The sagre will continue on Saturday and Sunday. In Roccamonfina, near Caserta, the Sagra della Castagna IGP e del Fungo Porcino (chestnut and porcini mushroom festival) begins on October 3rd and takes place every weekend until November 1st.
Another distinctive festival, the Sagra dell'Anguilla (eel festival), takes place in Comacchio, near Ferrara, over the first two weekends of October, starting on October 3rd.
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