Bordighera may be a small coastal town, but its event calendar runs year-round, anchored by a major literary fair, a patron saint celebration, and a jazz festival that punches above its weight. Many events spill over into the old town (Bordighera Alta), which makes for a memorable setting among medieval stone lanes and piazzas. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. For more information, read our complete Bordighera travel guide.
Bordighera Events and Festivals: Spring (March to May)
Bordighera Book Fair (Salone del Libro di Bordighera)
Held over four days in late April or early May, this is the premier literary event on the western Ligurian coast. Publishers from across Italy, France, and Monaco set up stands along Corso Italia and inside the Palazzo del Parco conference centre. The programme includes author talks, book signings, and children’s workshops. In 2025, over 40 publishers participated with estimated attendance of 15,000 visitors across the four days. Entry is free. Check the official website (salonedellibrodibordighera.it) for exact dates, which vary slightly each year. Most events are in Italian, but some sessions offer English translations. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. Check our Bordighera weather guide for more details.
Feast of Sant’Ampelio (Festa di Sant’Ampelio)
On May 14, Bordighera celebrates its patron saint with a full day of events culminating in a torchlit procession. The statue of Saint Ampelio is carried from the Church of Santa Maria Maddalena in Bordighera Alta down to the Chiesa di Sant’Ampelio on the seafront, where a mass is held. After sunset, a procession of boats carries candles and lights offshore, followed by fireworks over Capo Sant’Ampelio. The promenade fills with food stalls selling farinata (chickpea pancake), focaccia, and local Rossese wine. Book accommodation well in advance , this is the single most crowded day in Bordighera outside of August. See our for more details. See our for more details. See our for more details. See the best time to visit Bordighera for detailed information.
Bordighera Events and Festivals: Summer (June to August)
Battle of Flowers (Battaglia dei Fiori)
Although hosted in Ventimiglia (one train stop west), this event is a major draw for Bordighera visitors and locals alike. On the third weekend of June, elaborate flower-covered floats parade along the Ventimiglia seafront, and participants pelt each other and the crowd with flower petals. The tradition dates to 1929 and reflects the Riviera dei Fiori’s historic flower-growing industry. The parade starts at 15:00 on the Saturday and Sunday. Grandstand tickets cost 10-15 EUR; standing along the route is free. Trains run every 30 minutes between Bordighera and Ventimiglia (5 minutes, about 1.50 EUR each way). See our for more details. Our things to do in Bordighera has the full breakdown.
Palio dei Rioni
In early August, Bordighera Alta hosts a medieval-themed competition between the town’s historic neighbourhoods (rioni). Contests include tug-of-war, sack races, and a flag-throwing competition (sbandieratori), all in period costume. The event takes place in Piazza del Popolo and along the caruggi (lanes) of the old town over two evenings. Food and wine stalls from local producers set up in the piazza. Free entry. Dates vary , typically the first Friday and Saturday of August. See our for more details. Read the Bordighera neighborhoods guide for more.
Ferragosto (August 15)
The national summer holiday is the busiest single day on the Ligurian coast. Expect packed beaches, fully booked restaurants, and a festive atmosphere from morning until late at night. A fireworks display over the sea starts around 22:30, best viewed from the Lungomare Argentina or from a beach club. Many restaurants offer fixed Ferragosto menus (35-50 EUR per person), and booking ahead is essential. If you are not a fan of crowds, plan to be elsewhere or hunker down with a prepared picnic from the market on Corso Italia. See our for more details. Check our where to stay in Bordighera for more details.
Bordighera Events and Festivals: Autumn (September to November)
Bordighera Jazz Festival
Running across three or four weekends in September, this festival brings Italian and international jazz musicians to Bordighera. Venues include the gardens of Villa Regina Margherita, the Anglican Church, and outdoor stages set up on Piazza del Popolo in the old town. Past performers have included Paolo Fresu, Enrico Rava, and Stefano Bollani. Individual concert tickets run 10-20 EUR; a full festival pass costs about 40 EUR. Check bordigherajazz.it for the current year’s programme. Most concerts start at 21:00 and last about 90 minutes. See our for more details. See the Bordighera travel tips for detailed information.
Fiera di San Martino
On the weekend closest to November 11 (St. Martin’s Day), Bordighera Alta fills with stalls for the San Martino Fair. This traditional autumn market sells chestnuts (castagne), new-press olive oil, mushrooms, honey, and local wines. Street food vendors serve dishes like panissa (fried chickpea squares) and farinata. The fair runs Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 to 19:00. Free entry. The combination of cool autumn air, wood smoke, and roasted chestnuts makes this one of the most atmospheric events on the Ligurian calendar. See our for more details.
Bordighera Events and Festivals: Winter (December to February)
Christmas Market and New Year
From early December through the Epiphany (January 6), a Christmas market sets up along Corso Italia with wooden stalls selling crafts, decorations, and seasonal food. The town installs holiday lights along the Lungomare and through Bordighera Alta. On New Year’s Eve, a fireworks display over the sea starts at midnight, and several hotels and restaurants offer cenone (New Year’s Eve dinner) packages for 60-100 EUR per person. The Feast of the Epiphany (La Befana) on January 6 closes the season with a small children’s parade in Piazza del Popolo.
Carnevale di Bordighera
In February (date varies with Easter), Bordighera holds a children’s carnival parade along Corso Italia with floats and costumed participants. It is smaller than the famous carnivals of nearby Sanremo and Nice, but it is local, free, and family-friendly. The parade typically starts at 14:30 on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday. Expect confetti, masks, and plenty of chiacchiere (fried carnival pastries) from the bakeries along Corso Italia.
