How to spend your New Year's Eve 2026 in Bologna

Updated on 28 November 2025 From Bologna Welcome

Still not sure what to do on New Year's Eve?

Don't worry.

The following guidelines will provide you with an overview of the many possibilities awaiting visitors during the most glittering period of the year in Bologna.

From exhibitions to theatres, from food stands to dance floors, the desire to celebrate is always guaranteed.

Have fun!

Discover what to do in Bologna for New Year’s Eve, between events, places to visit and great surprises

What to do before midnight

Experiences and places to visit

Get ticket for an exhibition

Stroll through the museums

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in great style

At the spa

In Piazza Maggiore

New Year’s Eve theatres and concerts

New Year’s Eve parties

EXPERIENCES AND PLACES TO VISIT

Waiting for midnight, experience the magic of Palazzo Pepoli at Via Castiglione 10, open from 11:00 to 19:00. In the heart of Bologna, let yourself be surprised by the majesty of this palace, recently reopened to the public. Inside, in the Covered Courtyard, you can enjoy a moment of relaxation at the refreshment corner and shop for unique souvenirs and gadgets in its bookshop. Don’t forget to purchase the entrance ticket to the Museum of the History of Bologna, housed inside, where you will be literally catapulted into the history and true identity of the city — a journey between the ancient and the modern.
An unmissable opportunity to spend the time before midnight in a place that perfectly blends art, history and modernity.

Purchase your ticket here!

Before celebrating the crazy night of New Year’s Eve, choose to book an activity between culture, art, food and much more, in the city or outside the center.

Discover the experiences ->

AT THE EXHIBITIONS

Culture doesn’t take a holiday and even during the festivities there are many exhibitions to discover in the city, from some returning shows to major new openings.

➝ See all exhibitions on during New Year’s Eve

IN THE MUSEUMS OPEN FOR THE OCCASION

Take some time to visit or rediscover Bologna’s city museums, open on 31 December with special hours, and pay attention to certain closures scheduled for the first day of the year.

Check the opening hours of museums, attractions and tourist infopoints so you won’t be caught unprepared!

AT THE SPA

What could be more pleasant than pampering yourself at the spa?

The Villaggio della Salute Più proposes numerous offers to spend New Year's Eve in an alternative way to the usual: big dinner, buffet and pool party plus access to the spa.

Find out more on the official website

CELEBRATIONS IN PIAZZA MAGGIORE

Look forward to the traditional New Year’s Eve celebration in Piazza Maggiore to welcome 2026 with special initiatives and events.

And who says that the Vecchione, the artistic creation made of wood and recycled materials representing the past year, will go up in flames again this year?

No spoilers!

THEATRES AND NEW YEAR'S CONCERTS

Plenty of choice on the 31st December and 1st January in Bologna theatres.

Browse the events on this page and check out the programming on the official websites.

DINNER AND DANCE

Many other involving activities will also be taking place in the city hotels with dinners and musical entertainment at:

many others yet to be scheduled

Holidays in Bologna

All about Christmas markets, nativity scenes, tours and festive events

Feel the festivities

Edited by

Bologna Welcome

Editorial staff of Bologna Welcome Foundation

It promotes and enhances places, experiences and events across the Bologna Metropolitan Area and the Bologna–Modena Tourist Territory, and manages the content of website bolognawelcome.com.