April 25 is a national holiday celebrating liberation day in Italy. Some services may be closed but there will be festivals and concerts in many places.
Easter, Pasqua, often falls in April. Italian Easter celebrations start during the week before Easter and continue through Easter Monday, La Pasquetta, a national holiday and a day where you may find some very interesting festivals.
Easter in Italy
Palio della Rana, golden frog race, takes place the Sunday after Easter in the town of Fermignano in the Marche region. Contestants race with frogs in tiny wheelbarrows. The day before there is usually a pageant in historical costume and a fireworks show.
Il Giuramento di Pontida: In early April, there is a historical re-enactment of the alliance between the Lombard cities of Bergamo, Brescia, Mantova, and Cremona against Federico Barbarossa on April 7, 1167. The town of Pontida is 16km from Bergamo.
Rome's birthday: The date of Rome's founding (in 753BC) is celebrated on April 21 so if you're in Rome, watch for festivals, concerts, and special events. There's usually a fireworks display over the Tiber River and gladiator shows around the forum area.
Saint George's Day: In Caresana in the Piedmont region, Saint George's Day on April 23 is celebrated with the Palio dei Buoi, a parade of floats pulled by oxen. Saint George is the patron saint of farmworkers.
Festival of San Marco: Saint Mark, San Marco, is the patron saint of Venice and there is a festival in Saint Mark's Square on April 25 including a procession to the basilica. On this day in Venice you should give a rose to your loved one.
The Race of the Ring: The Corsa all'anello in Narni in the Umbria region is part of the celebrations held the last week of April. During this medieval jousting competition, three horsemen try to snare rings.
