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Udine runs a full calendar of events that peaks in spring and September, anchored by the Far East Film Festival in late April and Friuli DOC in mid-September. Most events are free or cheap to attend, and the compact centre means venues are within walking distance. This Udine events and festivals calendar lists the exact dates and what to expect, and pairs well with our best time to visit Udine guide for timing your trip.
Udine Events in Spring
Far East Film Festival (24 April to 2 May 2026)
The Far East Film Festival is the biggest Western showcase of Asian popular cinema, now in its 28th edition, screening around 76 films from 12 countries. Screenings run at the Teatro Nuovo Giovanni da Udine and Cinema Visionario, with the opening night on 24 April and the audience-voted Golden Mulberry award handed out on the closing night of 2 May. Single tickets cost roughly €8 to €10 and festival passes are available. This is the busiest week of the year for Udine hotels, so book two to three months ahead. See our Udine travel guide for more detail.
Vicino/Lontano (May)
Vicino/Lontano is a literary and current-affairs festival held each May in the city’s squares and theatres, built around debates, author talks and the annual Terzani Prize for writing. Most events are free and delivered in Italian, and the festival draws speakers from politics, journalism and literature. The programme is announced in March, and sessions fill fast for the headline names. See our things to do guide for more detail.
Udine Events in Summer
Udin&Jazz (2 to 18 July 2026)
Udin&Jazz is Udine’s summer jazz festival, running from 2 to 18 July 2026 across indoor venues and open-air stages in the centre, with some dates at nearby Lignano Sabbiadoro on the coast. The line-up mixes Italian and international jazz, soul and funk, and many of the open-air shows are free. Headline concerts cost €15 to €35. It is a good reason to visit in July, though you will want a hotel with air conditioning given the 29°C (84°F) summer heat. See our neighborhoods guide for more detail.
Udine Events in Autumn
Friuli DOC (10 to 13 September 2026)
Friuli DOC is the region’s flagship food and wine festival, running 10 to 13 September 2026, now in its 29th edition. Dozens of stands line the streets of the historic centre pouring Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco and Prosecco alongside frico, prosciutto di San Daniele and gubana. Tasting vouchers let you buy glasses and plates at each stand, with entry to the festival itself free. It closes on the Sunday evening with a traditional concert. This is the second-biggest weekend for hotel demand after the film festival. See our where to stay guide for more detail.
Maratonina Città di Udine (late September)
The Udine half marathon, usually held on the last Sunday of September, sends runners on a 21.1 km course from the centre out through the surrounding villages and back to Piazza Libertà . Entry costs around €30 and the event attracts several thousand runners, with roads in the centre closed on race morning. Even if you are not running, the finish in the main square is a lively spot that Sunday. See our travel tips guide for more detail.
Udine Events in Winter
Pignarûl (6 January)
On the night of Epiphany, 6 January, Udine and the surrounding Friulian towns light pignarûl bonfires on hilltops, an old tradition in which the direction of the smoke is read as an omen for the coming harvest. In the city the main bonfire is lit in the Giardino del Torso area with food stalls and mulled wine, and it is free to attend. Dress warmly, as early January nights drop to -1°C (30°F).
Christmas Markets (December)
From late November through December the centre hosts wooden Christmas market stalls in Piazza Libertà and along Via Mercatovecchio, selling local crafts, ornaments and warm food and drink. The lights go up in early December and the markets run until around 6 January. For the rest of the year, check the Udine weather by month breakdown so you know what weather to expect for any event.
