7 must-see events in Italy in February 2026: art, fashion and traditions

February is the shortest month of the year, but in terms of the variety and richness of events you can participate in in Italy, it really has nothing to envy to other months! 

From north to south you are spoiled for choice: art exhibitions, fashion-related events, religious festivals and Carnival celebrations. To best cope with the cold weather, there is nothing better than having fun and traveling, and the Belpaese offers plenty of opportunities in this regard.

The must-see events in February 2026 in Italy are waiting for you. Here is a selection of those you absolutely cannot miss! 

February is one of the best months to travel to Italy and discover cultural events, art exhibitions, traditional festivals, and fashion events. From north to south, the February 2026 calendar offers unique experiences in major art cities and historic villages, ideal for those who want to visit Italy in the off-season and experience the country authentically.

From fashion week in Milan, historic carnivals, major exhibitions, and one of the most anticipated events of recent years: Milano Cortina 2026, February offers numerous things to do, perfect for a cultural weekend or a longer trip. Here is a selection of the best events in Italy in February 2026, encompassing culture, style, and Italian traditions.

The 7 must-see events in Italy in February 2026:

• Milan Women's Fashion Week

• Feast of Saint Agatha in Catania

• Carnival of Ivrea

• Bernini and Barberini Exhibition in Rome

• Edward Weston: The Matter of Forms in Turin

• Tarot. The origins, the cards, and the fortunes of Bergamo

• Milano Cortina 2026

Fashion, it is known, is at home in Milan. The event to mark for the month of February 2026 is the Milan Women's Fashion Week one of the most important events in the international fashion scene, where the Fall/Winter 2026-2027 collections of the great Italian fashion houses will be presented. Instead, the next event will be in September, as fashion week is generally done twice a year. 

Milan Women's Fashion Week starts on Feb. 24 and ends on March 2 and includes both physical and digital fashion shows, presentations and lots of events, some of which are also open to the public and not just professionals and industry insiders. Creativity and glamour are the key words for these days, where quality Italian craftsmanship will be the real big star. 

Locations dedicated to hosting fashion shows and reviews are scattered throughout the city, creating a fantastic widespread effect. 

For those in Catania in early February, an event not to be missed is the traditional feast of St. Agata, the city's patron saint, who (as legend has it) suffered martyrdom during the time of Emperor Decius because she would not yield to his court. The celebrations last three days, from February 3 to 5, 2026. This is a festival that is deeply felt by the citizens, so staying in Catania during these festive days will help you better understand the spirit that animates the city and make you feel part of something unique.

Three days of festive atmosphere and celebrations, suitable for both believers and simple explorers of traditions. On Feb. 3 in Piazza del Duomo there is the usual fireworks display that really draws a lot of people: the advice is to take your seat early, so as not to risk being left out. 

On February 4 there is the first procession. The bust of St. Agatha goes around the outside of the city, while the so-called Mass of Dawn is celebrated in the cathedral. On February 5 there are the final and most solemn stages of this long celebration, with the bust of the Saint being carried in procession through the center of the city and the Pontifical Mass at the Cathedral. A truly grand event, a magnificent tradition that has been going on for a very long time. 

Have you ever heard of the Battle of the Oranges? If the answer is no, you really should drop by Ivrea to discover one of the oldest and most folkloric carnivals in all of Italy! 

The Carnival of Ivrea, a small town in the province of Turin, has been recognized as an Italian event of international significance. It is in fact a tradition that dates back to the Middle Ages, with ancient rituals that remain intact to this day. 

The Battle of the Oranges, which is certainly the best-known event associated with this celebration, is a real struggle and reproduces what was once a battle of the people against tyranny. For three afternoons from Sunday to the last Tuesday of Carnival a terrible orange-fight rages: teams on foot versus teams on floats. To avoid being targeted by the orangemen, it is always a good idea to wear the typical Berretto Frigio, which shows adherence to the people's revolt. 

Festivities for the 2026 edition of the Ivrea Carnival officially started on January 6th, but the key days will be from Saturday February 14th until Tuesday February 17th.

The National Galleries of Ancient Art at Palazzo Barberini in Rome will host the major exhibition Bernini and the Barberini. The show explores the privileged relationship between Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Maffeo Barberini, his first and most influential patron, who became Pope in 1623 under the name Urban VIII.

Running from 13 February to 14 June 2026, the exhibition offers an opportunity to revisit the origins of the Baroque through the unique human and intellectual dialogue between Bernini and Pope Urban VIII, two key figures of this artistic period. The initiative is part of the celebrations marking the 400th anniversary of the consecration of the new St Peter’s Basilica (1626), the pinnacle of Roman Baroque and of Bernini’s own artistic production.

Opening on 12 February at CAMERA – Centro Italiano per la Fotografia in Turin, the exhibition Edward Weston. The Matter of Forms is the first major show in Italy dedicated to the American photographer Edward Weston and will be open until 2 June 2026. The exhibition brings together 171 photographs, extraordinary black-and-white images of remarkable precision, created using a large-format camera over more than forty years of activity, from 1903 to 1948.

Weston’s work explores the American landscape and culture through still lifes, nudes, landscapes, and portraits that have become iconic. Co-founder of Group f/64 together with photographer Ansel Adams, Edward Weston was a central figure in modern photography, helping establish photography as an autonomous, rigorous, and profoundly modern visual language.

Are you curious to discover the history of Tarot cards? From 27 February to 2 June 2026, the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo will host the exhibition: Tarot Cards. Origins, Images, Fortune.

Thanks to exceptional national and international loans, the exhibition traces the history of these fascinating cards from the early 15th century to the present day. Originally conceived as an aristocratic game and pastime, Tarot cards became widely popular with the advent of printing and later evolved into a tool for divination, achieving remarkable and lasting success.

The exhibition project is centred around a particularly significant event: the reunification, after more than a century, of the 74 cards of the Colleoni deck, preserved between the Accademia Carrara in Bergamo, the Morgan Library in New York, and a private collection. Considered the most complete Tarot deck in the world, the Colleoni deck will be temporarily reunited through this exhibition.

February 2026 also marks the countdown to one of the most anticipated events of recent years: the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games, which will take place from 6 to 22 February 2026, bringing Italy into the international spotlight.

Milan, Cortina d’Ampezzo, and the Alpine venues involved are preparing to welcome athletes and visitors with cultural events, urban initiatives, and an atmosphere of vibrant anticipation.

It is the perfect opportunity to explore the Olympic cities and mountain regions combining sport, culture, and iconic landscapes.