Amalfi Coast Festivals & Events Calendar: A Family Guide for 2026
Planning a family trip to the Amalfi Coast in 2026? This stunning stretch of Italian coastline is beautiful year-round, but experiencing it during a local festival or event adds an extra layer of magic. From religious celebrations to food festivals and lively markets, there's always something happening. This month-by-month guide will help you plan your trip around the best events, ensuring an unforgettable family vacation.
January
January is the quietest month on the Amalfi Coast, perfect for budget travelers seeking tranquility. While many businesses are closed, you can still experience authentic local life.
New Year's Day Celebrations
Date: January 1st
What Happens: Towns celebrate with fireworks, small concerts (often free) in the main piazzas, and festive meals. Many restaurants offer special New Year's menus.
Where to Go: Amalfi, Positano, and Salerno are good options for fireworks displays.
Ticket Costs: Mostly free, but expect to pay a premium for New Year's Eve dinner (around €75-€150 per person).
How to Participate: Book a New Year's Eve dinner in advance and join the locals in the piazzas for the midnight fireworks.
Insider Tip: Many shops and attractions will be closed on January 1st, so plan accordingly.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate; slightly higher than the rest of January but lower than peak season.
Saint Anthony the Great Feast Day
Date: January 17th
What Happens: Celebrations honoring Saint Anthony the Great, patron saint of animals. There are blessings of animals, processions, and bonfires in some towns.
Where to Go: Look for celebrations in smaller towns like Agerola or Tramonti.
Ticket Costs: Free
How to Participate: Attend a church service and witness the animal blessings. Check local announcements for bonfire locations.
Insider Tip: This is a very local event, so you might need a translator if you don't speak Italian.
Hotel Price Impact: Minimal
February
February remains a low season, offering a chance to experience the Amalfi Coast without the crowds. The weather can be unpredictable, but you can often find sunny days perfect for exploring.
Carnival Celebrations
Date: Variable, usually the week leading up to Ash Wednesday (late February/early March)
What Happens: Carnival celebrations with parades, costumes, masks, music, and food. While not as grand as Venice's Carnival, local towns have their own unique traditions.
Where to Go: Minori and Maiori are known for their vibrant Carnival celebrations.
Ticket Costs: Free to attend the parades and street performances.
How to Participate: Dress up in costume, join the parades, and sample the traditional Carnival sweets like chiacchiere and castagnole.
Insider Tip: Check the local town websites for specific parade schedules and events.
Hotel Price Impact: Slightly higher during Carnival week.
March
As spring arrives, the Amalfi Coast starts to awaken. The weather becomes milder, flowers begin to bloom, and some seasonal businesses reopen.
Holy Week (Settimana Santa)
Date: The week leading up to Easter Sunday (late March/early April)
What Happens: Religious processions, ceremonies, and rituals commemorating the Passion of Christ. Many towns have unique traditions, such as torchlight processions and Passion Plays.
Where to Go: Sorrento and Amalfi are particularly known for their Holy Week celebrations.
Ticket Costs: Free
How to Participate: Attend the religious services and processions. Be respectful of the solemn atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Check the local church schedules for specific times and locations of events.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate to high, especially around Easter weekend.
April
April is a fantastic time to visit the Amalfi Coast. The weather is pleasant, the crowds are manageable, and the landscape is lush and green.
Ravello Festival (Spring Concerts)
Date: Various dates throughout April
What Happens: A series of classical music concerts held in the stunning Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone gardens in Ravello. It's a smaller series compared to the summer Ravello Festival.
Where to Go: Villa Rufolo and Villa Cimbrone, Ravello.
Ticket Costs: €25-€50 per concert.
How to Participate: Book tickets online in advance, as they often sell out quickly.
Insider Tip: Arrive early to secure a good seat and enjoy the beautiful gardens before the concert.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate; Ravello hotels will be more expensive during concert dates.
Liberation Day (Festa della Liberazione)
Date: April 25th
What Happens: A national holiday celebrating Italy's liberation from Nazi occupation. Expect some shops and businesses to be closed. There might be parades or commemorative events in larger towns.
Where to Go: Check local announcements for events in Amalfi, Positano, or Salerno.
Ticket Costs: Free
How to Participate: Observe the holiday and reflect on its significance.
Insider Tip: Make sure to book restaurants in advance, as they can get crowded on public holidays.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate; slightly higher due to the public holiday.
May
May is considered one of the best months to visit the Amalfi Coast. The weather is warm and sunny, the sea is inviting, and the crowds are still relatively small.
Sagra del Pesce (Fish Festival) in Positano
Date: Usually the second Saturday in May
What Happens: A popular food festival celebrating fresh seafood. Local fishermen prepare and serve delicious seafood dishes on the beach. There's also live music and entertainment.
Where to Go: Spiaggia Grande, Positano.
Ticket Costs: Free entry; food and drinks are purchased separately (around €5-€15 per dish).
How to Participate: Arrive early to avoid the crowds, sample the different seafood dishes, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be standing and walking on the beach.
Hotel Price Impact: High; Positano hotels will be more expensive during the festival weekend.
Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics
Date: Variable, usually late May/early June
What Happens: A historical rowing competition between the four ancient maritime republics of Italy: Venice, Genoa, Pisa, and Amalfi. The event rotates between the four cities each year. In 2026, Amalfi will not be hosting.
Where to Go: If Amalfi is the host city (check the schedule), the rowing race takes place in the sea off the coast.
Ticket Costs: Free to watch the race from the shore. Tickets may be required for VIP viewing areas.
How to Participate: Cheer on the Amalfi team (if they are participating) and enjoy the historical parade and festivities.
Insider Tip: Check the event schedule in advance for parade times and locations.
Hotel Price Impact: High; hotel prices in the host city will be significantly higher during the event.
June
June marks the beginning of the high season on the Amalfi Coast. The weather is hot and sunny, and the beaches are packed with visitors.
Festa di Sant'Antonio (Feast of Saint Anthony)
Date: June 13th
What Happens: Religious celebrations honoring Saint Anthony of Padua. There are processions, church services, and sometimes fireworks in various towns.
Where to Go: Look for celebrations in smaller towns with churches dedicated to Saint Anthony.
Ticket Costs: Free
How to Participate: Attend a church service and witness the processions.
Insider Tip: This is a local event, so dress respectfully when attending religious ceremonies.
Hotel Price Impact: Minimal
Amalfi Coast Music & Arts Festival
Date: Mid-June to Early July
What Happens: A series of classical music concerts, art exhibitions, and cultural events held in various locations along the Amalfi Coast.
Where to Go: Concerts and exhibitions take place in churches, villas, and gardens in towns like Amalfi, Ravello, and Positano.
Ticket Costs: €20-€60 per event.
How to Participate: Check the festival schedule online and book tickets in advance.
Insider Tip: Some events offer discounted tickets for students and seniors.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate; hotels in towns hosting festival events may be more expensive.
July
July is peak season on the Amalfi Coast. Expect high prices, crowded beaches, and hot weather.
Ravello Festival (Main Season)
Date: July and August
What Happens: The main season of the Ravello Festival, featuring a diverse program of classical music, opera, ballet, jazz, and contemporary music performances. The concerts are held in the stunning Villa Rufolo gardens.
Where to Go: Villa Rufolo, Ravello.
Ticket Costs: €30-€100+ per performance, depending on the artist and seating.
How to Participate: Book tickets online well in advance, as popular performances sell out months ahead.
Insider Tip: Consider purchasing a festival pass for multiple performances to save money.
Hotel Price Impact: Very high; Ravello hotels are extremely expensive during the festival.
August
August is the busiest and most expensive month on the Amalfi Coast. The entire country of Italy seems to be on vacation.
Ferragosto (Assumption of Mary)
Date: August 15th
What Happens: A major national holiday celebrating the Assumption of Mary. Expect fireworks, processions, and festivals in many towns. Beaches will be extremely crowded.
Where to Go: Most towns will have celebrations, but Amalfi and Positano typically have the largest fireworks displays.
Ticket Costs: Free
How to Participate: Join the festivities, watch the fireworks, and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
Insider Tip: Book restaurants well in advance, as they will be very busy. Be prepared for traffic and crowds.
Hotel Price Impact: Extremely high; this is the peak of peak season.
September
September is a shoulder season month, offering a sweet spot between pleasant weather and fewer crowds. The sea is still warm enough for swimming.
Festa di San Gennaro (Feast of Saint Januarius)
Date: September 19th
What Happens: A major religious festival in Naples honoring Saint Januarius, the patron saint of the city. While primarily celebrated in Naples, some towns on the Amalfi Coast with strong ties to Naples also hold smaller celebrations.
Where to Go: Check local church announcements for celebrations in towns like Vietri sul Mare.
Ticket Costs: Free
How to Participate: Attend a church service and witness the religious rituals.
Insider Tip: If you're in Naples, the main celebration is at the Naples Cathedral, where the miracle of the liquefaction of Saint Januarius's blood is expected to occur.
Hotel Price Impact: Minimal
October
October is a great month for hiking and exploring the Amalfi Coast without the summer heat. The landscape takes on autumnal hues.
Chestnut Festivals (Sagre della Castagna)
Date: Various dates throughout October
What Happens: Many towns in the mountains behind the Amalfi Coast hold chestnut festivals celebrating the autumn harvest. Expect food stalls selling roasted chestnuts, chestnut cakes, and other chestnut-based delicacies. There's also live music and entertainment.
Where to Go: Look for festivals in towns like Scala, Tramonti, and Agerola.
Ticket Costs: Free entry; food and drinks are purchased separately.
How to Participate: Sample the chestnut dishes, enjoy the music, and experience the local culture.
Insider Tip: These festivals are often held on weekends, so check the local town websites for specific dates and locations.
Hotel Price Impact: Minimal
November
November is the off-season on the Amalfi Coast. Many businesses close for the winter, but you can still find some restaurants and hotels open.
All Saints' Day (Ognissanti) and All Souls' Day (Giorno dei Morti)
Date: November 1st and 2nd
What Happens: All Saints' Day is a public holiday celebrating all the saints. All Souls' Day is a day of remembrance for the dead. Families visit cemeteries to lay flowers on the graves of their loved ones.
Where to Go: Visit local cemeteries to witness the traditions. Churches will hold special services.
Ticket Costs: Free
How to Participate: Observe the traditions with respect.
Insider Tip: Many shops and businesses will be closed on November 1st.
Hotel Price Impact: Minimal
December
December brings a festive atmosphere to the Amalfi Coast, with Christmas markets and holiday celebrations.
Christmas Markets (Mercatini di Natale)
Date: December (starting early December) through early January
What Happens: Christmas markets selling handcrafted gifts, local products, and festive food and drinks. Many towns also have Christmas lights, nativity scenes, and other holiday decorations.
Where to Go: Salerno, Amalfi, and Positano typically have the largest Christmas markets.
Ticket Costs: Free entry; goods are purchased separately.
How to Participate: Browse the stalls, sample the local treats, and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
Insider Tip: The markets are usually open in the afternoons and evenings.
Hotel Price Impact: Moderate; hotels may offer special Christmas packages.
New Year's Eve (Notte di San Silvestro)
Date: December 31st
What Happens: New Year's Eve celebrations with fireworks, concerts, and festive dinners. Many restaurants offer special New Year's Eve menus.
Where to Go: Amalfi, Positano, and Salerno are good options for fireworks displays.
Ticket Costs: Mostly free, but expect to pay a premium for New Year's Eve dinner (around €75-€150 per person).
How to Participate: Book a New Year's Eve dinner in advance and join the locals in the piazzas for the midnight fireworks.
Insider Tip: Many restaurants require reservations for New Year's Eve dinner, so book well in advance.
Hotel Price Impact: High; hotel prices are significantly higher for New Year's Eve.
Best Value Months
The best value months for visiting the Amalfi Coast, considering both events and lower prices, are April, May, and September. These months offer pleasant weather, fewer crowds, and a variety of festivals and events to enjoy.
Don't Miss Events
If you only have time for a few events, don't miss the Sagra del Pesce in Positano (May), the Ravello Festival (July/August), and the Christmas Markets (December). These events offer a unique glimpse into the local culture and traditions of the Amalfi Coast.
Family Travel Tips
- Book accommodations and transportation in advance, especially if traveling during peak season.
- Pack comfortable shoes for walking and hiking.
- Learn a few basic Italian phrases to enhance your interactions with locals.
- Be prepared for crowds, especially during July and August.
- Take advantage of the public transportation system, including buses and ferries.
- Try the local cuisine, including fresh seafood, pasta dishes, and limoncello.