May Day in Italy: 7 Traditions and Things to Do on May 1

Italy owes much of its beauty to its long and rich history. This is also reflected in our calendar, where there is no shortage of anniversaries. Among these, we cannot forget Labour Day, which is celebrated on May 1st. It is an occasion to remember the struggles of the past, but also to spend time with friends and family. Do you want to organise something special for May Day 2026 in Italy? Here are our tips!

Labour Day, a time of the year that invites us to reflect on the achievements of the labour movement, is an important date that is not only celebrated in Italy. In fact, even in North America it is a cherished holiday, even though it falls on the first Monday of September.

So why do we Italians celebrate on May 1st? To understand this, we have to go back to the time of the Second International, to the Paris Congress of 1889. It was decided that a demonstration should be promoted simultaneously throughout the world, in which workers would demand greater fairness.

The date of May 1st was chosen in homage to other important precedents, including the American demonstrations of 1886 and the Haymarket Riot in Chicago.

The years have passed, but May Day has remained (despite the interlude of the twenty-year fascist period, during which it was abolished). Even today, Labour Day reflects the social and political struggles and demands of present time, linked to work but not only. The significance of this occasion is highlighted by events and initiatives across Italy.

In Italy, May Day is a celebration that perfectly blends civic engagement with a zest for life. Labour Day is an important occasion to reflect on the rights and dignity of work, within the context of a huge collective celebration. Squares across the country come alive with concerts and events.

Parks fill with families and friends, ready to toast in the open air and enjoy the first real sunny days. May Day is also an opportunity to treat yourself to a weekend away in the countryside, or rediscover picturesque villages, taking a break from the daily routine.

In this article, we tell you about 7 traditional May Day events in Italy:

- il "Concertone" in Rome

- Uno Maggio Taranto Libero e Pensante in Taranto

- Workers' Day Concert in Bologna

- One Day Music Festival in Catania

- May Day in Milan

- The Festa dei Serpari, in Abruzzo

- May Day in Tuscany

Find out what people do in Italy on May Day!

There's no doubt about it: Italy's most popular Labour Day event is certainly the May Day Concert, usually held in Rome's Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano. It is also the largest free live music event in Europe.

An experience not to be missed for those who find themselves in the capital this spring! “Il concertone”, as it is sometimes called, began in 1990 and is still promoted by the CGIL, CISL and UIL trade unions.

Today, as in the past, it attracts thousands of spectators, in addition to those who watch it live on television or listen to it on the radio.

It is a unique festival that combines the characteristics of a music concert, a TV show and a street event. A formula that manages to please everyone, but without forgetting the important social and political themes that have given rise to this heartfelt festivity.

As usual, the “concertone” will take place in Piazza San Giovanni in Laterano and admission will be free. Many famous artists from the Italian music scene will be performing for the occasion.

The event, which will be broadcast simultaneously on Raitre, Rai Play and Rai Radio 2, will take place from 3.00 pm to 7.00 pm and from 8.00 pm until late at night, with the start scheduled for around 1.15 pm.

Local public transport will observe the festive timetable, but ATAC will enhance services provided to offer the opportunity to provide extensive travel for those attending the well-known Concertone.

In addition, the timetables of all the metro lines will be extended until 1:30 a.m., except the Circo Massimo/Metro B stop, which will be closed from 9 p.m. Trams and buses will also be subject to route changes in the area surrounding the Circus Maximus. 

We recommend checking the official website of Rome’s transport company in the days leading up to 1 May 2026 for real-time information.

Other highly anticipated events include Uno Maggio Taranto Libero e Pensante 2026, the music festival organized by the association Comitato Cittadini e Lavoratori Liberi e Pensanti in the pearl of Salento.

The concert, entrusted to the artistic direction of director and actor Michele Riondino, Roy Paci and Antonio Diodato, will take place at the magnificent Archaeological Park of the Greek Walls and feature famous singers, Italian bands and emerging artists.

The theme for the 2026 edition is "We Want to Remain Human", emphasising the determination to stand up to the climate of violence and ongoing conflicts.

Representatives from Amnesty International and Emergency, organisations dedicated to the protection of human rights, will also take to the stage.

The event will be broadcast live on Rai 3, RaiPlay and Rai Italia.

The Talsano and Salinella district markets will remain open, while shop opening will be optional. An efficient shuttle service (one-way ticket) will be available from 2 p.m. on 1 May until 00.30 a.m. the following day to facilitate the mobility of Taranto concert-goers.

If you choose Emilia Romagna to spend a marvelous holiday there during the Labour Day 2026, you could attend the traditional Workers' Day Concert, which will take place in the beautiful Piazza Maggiore. 

From 4 pm until midnight, the stage will be brought to life by local artists and stars from the Italian and international music scenes.

Some supermarkets, shops, and shopping centres will offer special openings. 

Among the other events enlivening May Day in Italy, we suggest the One Day Music Festival. The music event, which will take place in the evocative setting of the Catania coastline, is for a fee, unlike the other events suggested.

For over 10 years, the One Day Music Festival has been setting the Catania coastline alight, transforming it into a dancefloor with live performances and DJ sets for thousands of young people, featuring artists from a range of genres including rock, rap, house/techno, reggae, drum and bass, and electro. 

On Labour Day, some supermarkets and shops will also be open in Sicily. Buses will be available and will follow the festive timetable.

Are you looking for some original ideas on what to do on 1 May 2026?

You certainly won’t be bored in Milan!

From music to exhibitions, the city offers cultural events to suit all tastes.

As every year, the May Day Parade, organised by the trade unions, will take place. The procession will wind its way through the city centre and conclude in Piazza della Scala, with speeches and musical performances. 

There are many exhibitions scheduled for May. Among them, we highlight the following at Palazzo Reale:

- Anselm Kiefer - The Alchemists

- Robert Mapplethorpe - The Forms of Desire

- Metaphysics / Metaphysics

Several museums will be open, despite May Day being a public holiday. It is always advisable to check the museums’ websites for opening times and schedules during public holidays.

On 1 May 2026, Villa Necchi Campiglio and the Bagatti Valsecchi Museum will be open – two house museums of extraordinary beauty.

There are plenty of things to do in Milan: a visit to the Duomo, a boat trip on the Navigli, a lovely stroll in one of Milan’s parks, and much more!

To find out whether shopping centers and shopping centers will remain open in Milan on Labour Day, we suggest you consult local websites: some shops will be regularly open, while others will observe holiday closures.

On 1 May, in the countryside, in villages and on the hills, Italian folk tradition comes to life through spirituality, conviviality and rural culture. People gather in the squares amidst flowers, processions of saints and traditional local dishes!

In Cocullo, in Abruzzo, the Festa dei Serpari takes place on 1 May. On this occasion, Saint Dominic the Abbot is celebrated; he was a Benedictine monk and the patron saint against snake bites, fever and rabies.

On the day of the festival, the statue of Saint Dominic, covered in live snakes, is carried in procession through the streets of the village, followed by the Serpari, who are also adorned with snakes.

The Serpari were individuals endowed with special powers, capable of capturing and handling snakes.

The Festa dei Serpari is linked to the Abruzzo region and combines pagan cults with Christian devotion. Cocullo is an Abruzzo village that preserves ancient traditions and a strong sense of community. The Festa dei Serpari attracts many people, including photographers, tourists and enthusiasts of local traditions.

For Italians, 1 May has always been synonymous with a day out. The arrival of warmer weather and the festive, convivial atmosphere typical of public holidays make this occasion the perfect time to get away from the city and visit some of the most picturesque villages dotted across the peninsula.

And when it comes to outings, Tuscany is certainly one of the most sought-after destinations: the charm of its hills, the richness of its history and its captivating food and wine offerings have made it a point of reference for tourists from all over Italy and the rest of the world.

From Anghiari to San Miniato, and then Pienza, Volterra and San Gimignano with its towers, the villages of Tuscany fascinate with their atmosphere, history and local traditions. 

Between cultural visits and walks, there will also be time for excellent gastronomic wine tastings and local products!