Italy is a land of beauty and glory. The Italians celebrate Christmas and New Year with great pomp and show. There are hundreds of festivals held every year in nearly every town in Italy. Celebrations, festivals and street parties are a big part of life in Italy.

The bright and colorful festivals in Italy all year round, attract a considerable amount of tourists. Even they too get involved deeply in the multiple hues of the festive ambience. Many Italian weekends are spent celebrating food, art, and culture of Italy. Festivals are a way to get in tune with Italian culture. The Italians are more or less always in a festive mood. Every now and then a festive spirit is in the air. The various carnivals, food and wine tasting, Jazz, football, all are parts of the festivities. Italy even hosts a number of international events like, Film Festivals, Dance Festivals and Art Festivals. Towns and cities around the country celebrate with a carnival leading up to the beginning of the religious period of Lent, normally within early February to early March. Well renowned is the Venetian carnival, which is held in the watery city for ten days preceding Ash Wednesday.

The festivals are distinguished by food and fun, music and dance. The table laid comprises of mainly, soups, starters, salads, fruits, vegetables, dishes of chicken, turkey and of course desserts, which may include pies, pastries, hot chocolate, ice cream or pudding. During the Rice Festival and Walnut Festival, special dishes like Risotto Con and Rondelli di Polenta con Salsa di Noce respectively, are served. Wine, cheese and pasta are other items served on festivals.