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Pavia’s event calendar is anchored by the Festa del Ticino and Settembre Pavese in September, the Autunno Pavese food and wine festival, and the December 9 feast of the city’s patron saint. Most events are free and centered on the historic core and the river. Timing them right is covered in our best time to visit Pavia guide, and the rest of the city in our Pavia guide.
Pavia Events and Festivals: Spring
Festa della Musica (21 June)
The summer solstice music festival brings free concerts across the city. In 2026 the Certosa di Pavia revived its Gregorian chant tradition for the occasion, with sung services in the monastery church. Check the Certosa calendar on certosadipavia.it for session times.
Carnevale (February or March)
Pavia holds children’s parades and masked events in the historic center in the weeks before Lent. Dates move with Easter, so confirm locally. It is a low-key, family-oriented affair rather than a Venice-scale spectacle.
Pavia Events and Festivals: Summer
Vidicountry (summer)
A country-music festival held in and around the city, with live bands, line dancing and food stands. Dates vary by year, so check the VisitPavia events page or our travel tips for planning help.
Lungoticino summer evenings
From June through August, the riverside bars and pop-up stalls along Lungoticino Visconti and Sforza stay open late with aperitivo, music and markets. This is where locals go to cool off after a hot day, and it pairs well with a walk across the Ponte Coperto.
Pavia Events and Festivals: Autumn
Festa del Ticino (first weekend of September)
The river festival that closes the summer. Streets along Lungoticino Visconti, Lungoticino Sforza and Corso Strada Nuova close to traffic for boat races, food stalls, music and markets, with activities shifting toward the Ticino on the Sunday. Expect the historic center to be busiest this weekend.
Settembre Pavese (September)
A month-long program of concerts, markets, exhibitions and open-air events across the city. It overlaps with the Festa del Ticino and runs through the month, so September is the liveliest time to be in Pavia.
Autunno Pavese (mid-September to mid-October)
The province’s leading food and wine festival, with the 2026 edition running 19 September to 11 October. The historic center hosts tasting stands for local risotto, cured meats, and Oltrepo Pavese wines. Tastings are pay-as-you-go; bring cash. Book accommodation early, using our where to stay in Pavia guide.
Pavia Events and Festivals: Winter
Festa di San Siro (9 December)
The feast of Pavia’s patron saint, St Syrus, with a religious procession and services at the Duomo, where his relics are kept in a Bramante chapel. Local shops extend evening hours and food stalls appear in the squares.
Christmas market (December)
A market with wooden stalls, lights and local crafts runs through December, usually in Piazza della Vittoria and along Corso Strada Nuova. It is the main reason to brave the winter cold, described in our winter weather breakdown guide.
