Magnificent Renaissance costumes in Asti, Piedmont. Photo: Irit Cattonar Italy is known for its magnificent palaces, ancient alleys and squares that look like they were taken from a period film.
But this month you can discover another side of it, one where history is not hidden behind museum walls, but comes out onto the streets. The Italian Tourism Office has announced the second edition of the National Day of Historical Costumes, to be celebrated on November 11, and to mark the occasion, more than 110 activities will take place across the country until December 11, 2026.
The celebrations will be held under the theme "Italy Wears History" (L'Italia vestita di storia), and will allow visitors to get up close and personal with ancient traditions, costumes and crafts that have been preserved for generations.
Imagine walking through an ancient Italian town and suddenly encountering a procession of participants dressed in historical clothing, with rich fabrics, colorful embroidery and traditional accessories.
The planned events will include parades, displays and exhibitions in historic centers and towns throughout Italy. Visitors will be able to get to know the traditional costumes of Sardinia, the clothes that characterize the Arber culture, the historical clothing of Venice and the magnificent brocade fabrics of the Sicilian Baroque period.
Behind each costume lies a story about families, communities and traditions passed down from generation to generation.
One of the intriguing things about the festivities is the opportunity to become a participant.
Alongside the parades and exhibitions, traditional workshops will open their doors and offer activities dedicated to the art of embroidery, weaving and sewing. In special workshops titled "Sew Your Piece of History", visitors can experiment with ancient techniques and meet the craftsmen who continue to preserve them. Some of the events will also feature wearing demonstrations accompanied by explanations of the meaning of the clothes, colors and symbols.
This is an opportunity to discover how the magnificent clothes were created and meet the people behind the tradition.
The Italian Ministry of Tourism is using this initiative to encourage cultural tourism in small towns and less-visited areas. Instead of just visiting the well-known destinations, you can combine your trip with a visit to a picturesque village, a local exhibition or a historic workshop.
Events take place across the country, from northern Italy to Sicily, and offer the chance to learn about the traditions unique to each region. The full schedule of events, including dates and participating locations, is published on the official tourism website Italia.it.
So if you're planning to visit Italy in the coming weeks, it's worth checking out what events are happening near your itinerary. Sometimes it's a chance encounter with a colorful procession, a visit to an ancient embroidery workshop, or a conversation with a local craftsman that becomes the most special memory of your vacation. For an entire month, Italy invites you to discover its history in a slightly different way.