The weekend of September 25, 26 and 27, 2026 is the perfect opportunity to discover events and experiences to enjoy in some of Italy’s most charming cities and villages. It isn’t just fairs and village festivities: the calendar features extraordinary openings of museums and historic palaces, nature-focused festivals, cultural itineraries, events centered on research, sailing regattas, and major international events.
From north to south, here is our selection of ideas to plan a day trip or a full weekend devoted to culture, history, nature, and spectacle.
Art2night 2026 in Bergamo (BG)
On Saturday, September 26 Bergamo will become a vast open-air stage with the thirteenth edition of Art2night, the white night of art, from 5:00 PM until midnight, engaging more than 50 local realities.
Museums, churches, historic palaces, squares and urban spaces will come to life with tours, music, performances and cultural events. The program is organized along four routes, dedicated to Art, Tours, Music and Show, allowing visitors to build different itineraries according to their interests.
Among the venues involved are Palazzo Polli Stoppani, the Convent of San Francesco, Palazzo Moroni, the Bernareggi Museum, the Cathedral and the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The initiative will also extend to the province of Bergamo.
European Heritage Days 2026, Bormio (SO)
For the European Heritage Days 2026, Bormio on September 26 and 27 offers a route through the historic center among churches, ancient buildings, Braulio cellars and the characteristic Combo district, to discover its most historic face.
Open Night 2026 at the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci in Milan (MI)
In Milan, the weekend starts already on Friday, September 25 with the Open Night 2026 of the National Museum of Science and Technology Leonardo da Vinci. From 6:00 PM to 11:30 PM the museum spaces will be open to the public for free for an evening dedicated to research and scientific outreach, part of the program of the European Night of Researchers.
The program alternates encounters, workshops, performances and guided tours, covering many topics from artificial intelligence to space, biodiversity to health. During the evening it will also be possible to discover some of the museum’s most iconic spaces, including the Toti submarine and the Conte Biancamano ocean liner, as well as to gaze at the night sky.
Weekend of the Lombardo 1800 Network in Lombardy
Also in Lombardy, on September 26 and 27, 2026 the Weekend of the Lombardo 1800 Network returns, in conjunction with the European Heritage Days. It is an opportunity to enter museums, collections, historic houses and cultural institutions that tell the 1800s through artworks, architecture and historical events.
Twenty-four institutions are involved, with a calendar of guided tours, lectures, exhibitions and family-friendly activities. Participating venues include the Brera Pinacotheca, the Carrara Academy, Villa Carlotta, Villa Monastero and the Poldi Pezzoli Museum.
The result is a widespread itinerary across several Lombard localities, ideal for those who want to turn the weekend into a journey through the history and culture of the 19th century.
European Night of Researchers 2026
On Friday, September 25, the European Night of Researchers returns, an initiative that involves numerous Italian and international cities with events dedicated to scientific outreach.
Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Veloce 2026 in Genoa (GE)
On September 25, Genoa will host the Marina Militare Nastro Rosa Veloce 2026, a sailing race set to finish in Trieste during the 58th edition of Barcolana. The course covers 1,492 nautical miles and includes several mandatory waypoints, including Pisa, Amalfi and Venice.
The start will be preceded by the crews’ presentation at the Galata Museo del Mare, scheduled for 11:00, while at 10:00 the Fanfare performance is planned.
Verde Grazzano 2026 in Grazzano Visconti (PC)
In Grazzano Visconti on September 26 and 27 Verde Grazzano 2026, a botanical festival devoted to the world of gardens and nature, is on the program. The event brings exhibitors, nurserymen and enthusiasts to the castle park, with a special focus on the changes affecting green spaces.
Among the themes at the heart of the edition are climate change, water scarcity and the spread of pests that can threaten plants and gardens. There is also a collection of tropical and exotic plants, Hoya (wax flowers), citrus, roses and species useful to encourage pollinators and biodiversity.
In the footsteps of Saint Francis in Montalto delle Marche (AP)
Heading toward the Marche, on Sunday, September 27, Montalto delle Marche offers a cultural itinerary dedicated to the figure of Saint Francis. The event provides an opportunity to explore the town’s historical and religious heritage through a guided tour designed to tell about places, testimonies and ties to the Franciscan tradition.
The event is free and also provides a LIS interpreter, making the experience accessible to a broader audience. Places are limited to 50 participants, so reservations are required.
Americas Cup Race Village in Naples (NA)
In Naples, the weekend is animated by the Americas Cup Race Village, set up along the seafront for the Preliminary Regatta. From September 24 to 27 the village becomes a space dedicated not only to sailing but also to culture, tourism, sport and local excellence.
Inside the Neapolitan program there is also a specific appointment dedicated to the European Heritage Days. On Friday, September 25, the focus will be on enhancing cultural heritage, with initiatives also in collaboration with Artecard Napoli.
Le Vie dei Tesori in Sicily
In Sicily, the weekend of September 26 and 27 opens up places often far from traditional tourist itineraries thanks to Le Vie dei Tesori. Between Carini, Bagheria, Enna and Leonforte the program offers special openings and visits to historic, religious and cultural sites.
In Carini one can visit the church and cloister of the Carmine, the paleochristian catacombs together with the new MAT Antiquarium and, in a special atmosphere, participate in evening rooftop tours of Castello La Grua Talamanca.
In Bagheria, the route leads to Torre Incorvino and its underground source, as well as to Villa Palagonia and Villa Butera. Among the offerings are the Aspra Anchovy Museum and sea-related activities, such as diving and sailing.
In Enna you can enter the Palazzo delle Benedettine construction site and take part in an evening visit to Palazzo Varisano, where Roman artifacts uncovered during railway works are kept. Other experiences include discovering the hidden garden of the former O.N.M.I., ancient air-raid shelters, churches and nature trails.
In Leonforte the theme of water becomes central with the itinerary “The Ways of Water,” while a paper workshop lets participants discover an ancient papermaking technique dating back to the 13th century.
