Golden Suites ItalyEvents in Mantua: Festivaletteratura and the year's calendar
At a glance
- September: Festivaletteratura, five days of talks with authors
- Late May: Trame Sonore, chamber music festival
- Ferragosto: Fiera delle Grazie with the madonnari
- Autumn: Segni New Generations Festival for young people
- Tip: at Festivaletteratura, central accommodation sells out months ahead
Mantua has the cultural calendar of a big city. The best-known name is Festivaletteratura, which every September fills squares and courtyards with writers and readers, but the year is full of events: chamber music in the palaces, the madonnari of Grazie, children's theatre, museum nights. Here are the main ones, in the order of the year.
May and October: Museum Night
Museum Night opens the city's museums and monuments in the evening, with visits and events: in 2026 it took place twice, on 16 May and 17 October.
Late May: Trame Sonore
Trame Sonore - Mantova Chamber Music Festival brings chamber music to some thirty places in the city, from palaces to churches. The 2026 edition, the fourteenth, ran from 29 May to 2 June, with around 300 musicians and over 150 concerts.
Summer: lotus flowers and evenings on the lakes
Between July and August the Upper Lake fills with lotus flowers and boat trips at sunset are the best way to see them. Summer evenings are spent in the squares and on the lakefront. Read the guide to boat trips on the Mantua lakes.
Ferragosto: the Fiera delle Grazie
At Grazie di Curtatone, a few kilometres from the city, the Ferragosto fair has been tied for centuries to the sanctuary of the Beata Vergine delle Grazie. Its most spectacular event is the national gathering of the madonnari, who spend two nights painting in chalk on the sanctuary square. In 2026 the fair ran from 13 to 16 August, with around 140 madonnari.
September: Festivaletteratura
For five days Mantua becomes the capital of books: talks with Italian and international authors, readings and debates in the squares, courtyards and theatres. The 2026 edition, the thirtieth, ran from 9 to 13 September. Many events are ticketed and must be booked: the programme comes out a few weeks beforehand. To stay in the centre during the festival, it is best to book months ahead.
Autumn: Segni New Generations Festival
Between October and November the Segni festival brings companies from all over the world to Mantua with theatre and arts performances for audiences from one to 18 years old. It is a good reason for a family trip: more ideas in Mantua with children.
Winter: the season of pumpkin and theatres
Autumn and winter are the season of pumpkin tortelli and the richest dishes of Mantuan cooking, and of the theatre seasons at the Teatro Sociale and the Teatro Bibiena. For the table, read traditional Mantuan dishes.
Tips
- Book early for Festivaletteratura and on spring weekends: Mantua has few beds in the centre.
- Check the dates on the festivals' official websites and on the Mantua tourism portal: they change every year.
- Get around on foot: during the big events the centre is crowded and parking is difficult.
Frequently asked questions
When is Festivaletteratura in Mantua?
Every year in September, for five days. The 2026 edition ran from 9 to 13 September.
What's on in Mantua at Ferragosto?
The Fiera delle Grazie at Grazie di Curtatone, with the national gathering of the madonnari on the sanctuary square. In 2026 it ran from 13 to 16 August.
Are there events for children in Mantua?
Yes, the Segni New Generations festival, with theatre and arts for young people, is usually held between October and November.
Sources and further reading
Information checked against the official websites on 22 October 2026:
