7 events not to be missed in January 2025 in Italy

Get your calendar ready and let yourself be surprised: in this article we will guide you through the most interesting events of January 2025, from art festivals to gastronomic events, perfect for those who want to discover the best of Italy during the winter.

For the 80th anniversary of his death, Palazzo Reale and Arthemisia, in collaboration with the MUNCH Museum, present a wonderful monographic exhibition dedicated to one of the most beloved artists between the 19th and 20th centuries: Edvard Munch.

The exhibition includes 100 works including paintings, drawings and prints, all from the MUNCH Museum in Oslo, offering a unique opportunity to admire masterpieces such as The Scream and other lesser-known works.

Hours: Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7.30pm, Thursdays until 10.30pm.

Tips: Book your ticket in advance online and choose the morning time for a quieter visit. Don't miss the official audio guide that enriches the experience with insights into the artist.

In Tricarico, Basilicata, the Carnival of Sant'Antonio Abate is a folkloristic event celebrating ancient traditions with masks and processions. An authentic experience for lovers of popular culture will be held on 17 January 2025 from dawn until late in the evening. The day opens with the unmistakable sound of cowbells, a symbol of rebirth and fertility, the ancient fire ritual with the lighting of bonfires, and the procession of typical masks through the streets of the village. A unique opportunity to experience the magic of a thousand-year-old tradition that tells a story handed down from generation to generation.

From 4 to 12 January 2025, the skies of Dobbiaco, Alta Pusteria, will be coloured by the Dolomiti Balloonfestival, one of the most spectacular winter events. This annual event, perfect for adventure and nature lovers, offers an unforgettable experience amidst breathtaking landscapes and exciting challenges.

Every year, crews from all over Europe compete in a series of competitions, including:

-Dolomiti Balloon Trophy: long-distance race.

-Alta Pusteria Trophy: target challenge.

-Flytec Trophy: fly-in competition.

In addition to pilots, visitors can also experience the thrill of a hot-air balloon flight, with daily departures at 10 a.m., weather permitting.

Also not to be missed is the impressive Nightglow of radio-controlled hot-air balloons, which will light up Toblach on two dates not to be missed:

6 January 2025, 4 p.m., at the parish church.

10 January 2025, 5pm, in the Nordic Arena, in conjunction with the Mini 3 Zinnen Ski-Marathon.

A feast for the eyes and heart, combining nature, sport and extraordinary stories.

If you are looking for an intimate, multi-sensory and immersive aesthetic experience, Enzo Cucchi's exhibition is for you. Until 18 May 2025, the Museo Tattile Statale Omero, located at the Mole Vanvitelliana in Ancona, hosts L'ombra vede, a project that explores the border between light and shadow.

The exhibition presents 42 works, including four previously unpublished drawings and 38 sculptures made of different materials such as bronze, marble, ceramic and wood. As the artist himself explains, ‘one should only see it in the dark; because things are preserved in the shade and in the dark’ and to look at the world ‘one should put one's head on the ground, like pumpkins, and one's hands on things’.

The first month of the year offers a rich theatrical programme to get 2025 off to a good start. Bologna comes alive with a series of unmissable events combining music, drama and musicals.

On 23 January, at the Arena del Sole, there will be an extraordinary candlelight concert featuring the soundtracks of Ennio Morricone, for an exciting evening.

Lovers of classical theatre will enjoy several works by Anton Chekhov, including Uncle Vanya and The Cherry Orchard.

From 17 to 19 January, the DUSE Theatre will host Much ado about nothing, a famous Shakespeare play, while on 22 January it will be the turn of Umberto Galimberti at the Celebrazioni Theatre, with a lecture that promises to stimulate thought. Also at the DUSE, from 24 to 26 January, Perfetti Sconosciuti, the theatrical adaptation of the successful film of the same name, will be on stage. Finally, for lovers of musicals, the masterpiece West Side Story will be staged from 24 to 26 January at the Europauditorium.

Until 30 June 2025 Michelangelo Pistoletto invades the Reggia di Caserta with the Metawork exhibition, a unique artistic experience that transforms the majestic Grand Gallery into a path of metamorphosis and interconnection.

More than 60 works enter into dialogue with the historical spaces, creating an environment that unites past and present. Among the masterpieces on display are Metawork-United Portraits, a work that fuses individuality and collectivity, and the Messa a nudo series, a celebration of human diversity and universal beauty.

The exhibition also features the legendary Labyrinth, an emblem of Arte Povera, a symbolic work that invites visitors to confront themselves in a crescendo of spirituality and introspection.

Tips: Devote at least a couple of hours to the visit to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Book a guided tour to discover all the hidden meanings behind each work.

Extras: Take the opportunity to explore the magnificent gardens of the Reggia, a jewel that completes the experience.

From 25 to 26 January, the Pordenone Record Fair is preparing to experience its biggest edition ever, establishing itself as a unique event on the national and international scene. Over 150 exhibitors from all over Italy and from countries such as Germany, Holland, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Sweden, and for the first time France, Spain and the United Kingdom, will give life to a true international fair.

This edition will welcome fans, collectors and the curious by offering an incredible variety of LPs, 45s, CDs, music cassettes, memorabilia and music merchandising. It is an unmissable opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of vintage and contemporary music.

This edition will welcome enthusiasts, collectors and the curious, offering an extraordinary selection of LPs, 45s, CDs, cassettes, memorabilia and music merchandise. A unique opportunity to explore the world of music, from vintage to contemporary.

A highlight of the event will be FVG Live!, an exhibition curated by Cristiano Pellizzaro on posters of historical concerts in Friuli Venezia Giulia. A visual journey through posters and playbills that tell the musical history of the region.

Where: Pordenone Fiere - Hall 5

Extras: Don't miss the listening sessions with vintage turntables, an authentic experience to relive the past.