New Year's Eve in Ravenna, Italy 2026/2027 – Celebrations, Program and Events

Welcome to New Year's Eve 2026/2027 in Ravenna

New Year's Eve and New Year 2026/2027 in Ravenna mix the Byzantine old town with an open-air celebration on Piazza del Popolo. 31 December 2026 and 1 January 2027 traditionally feature the Christmas Soul concert series, the JFK on Ice rink on Piazza J. F. Kennedy, and extra events in the historic centre. The detailed 2026/2027 line-up is usually released by the Comune di Ravenna and Ravenna Turismo only in late autumn; the calendar dates themselves remain 31 December 2026 to 1 January 2027.

Highlights & Attractions at New Year's Eve in Ravenna

• Free open-air concert on Piazza del Popolo on New Year's Eve, in recent years gospel, soul, funk and jazz as part of Christmas Soul
• DJ set after midnight that turns the square into an open-air dance floor
• New Year's Day concert on 1 January at Teatro Dante Alighieri (Via Angelo Mariani 2), previously free with compulsory reservation
• JFK on Ice skating rink at the foot of Palazzo Rasponi dalle Teste, often open until 02:00 on 31 December
• Holiday lights, the tree on Piazza del Popolo and decorated streets in the UNESCO centre
• Restaurant dinners, bars and clubs downtown, plus parties at Darsena and in Lido di Ravenna
• Mosaics, Dante's tomb and churches with extended hours around the turn of the year

Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2026/2027

In recent editions the main night started around 23:00 on Piazza del Popolo with a Christmas Soul concert curated by Spiagge Soul with the city. After the countdown a funk DJ set followed (in 2025/2026, DJ Lelli). On 1 January a New Year concert was held at 11:30 at Teatro Dante Alighieri. Artists, exact times and stages for 2026/2027 have not been confirmed yet; check turismo.ra.it and comune.ravenna.it shortly before you travel.

JFK on Ice on Piazza J. F. Kennedy usually stays open late on 31 December (in the last season 10:00–02:00) and again on 1 January in the afternoon. Christmas markets and nativity displays often continue until 6 January. A large official fireworks show on Piazza del Popolo is not a fixed part of the civic programme; private fireworks were recently restricted by municipal order. Check the latest rules issued just before New Year's Eve.

Tickets & Admission for New Year's Eve Ravenna

Admission to the Piazza del Popolo open-air concert has been free in recent years. The 1 January concert at Teatro Alighieri was also free but required a reservation via teatroalighieri.org or the Tourist Office at Piazza San Francesco 7. JFK on Ice is ticketed: last season EUR 10 per hour for adults including skate hire, EUR 8 for children up to 120 cm or visitors with their own skates. Official 2026/2027 prices had not been published as of August 2026; similar rates are likely.

Sit-down New Year's Eve dinners in restaurants, hotels and clubs (cenone) are booked separately and recently ranged from about EUR 80 to EUR 220 per person in the area. They are not part of the municipal square programme. Updates: turismo.ra.it and teatroalighieri.org.

Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Ravenna

• Ravenna is easy to reach by regional train; the station is a short walk from the centre. Bologna Airport (BLQ) is the nearest major hub, then train or bus. Expect road closures and limited parking in the centre on New Year's Eve.
• Late December temperatures are usually around 2–8 °C, with possible rain and wind. Pack warm, waterproof layers, sturdy shoes and gloves, especially for the ice rink and the square.
• Hotels in the centre and on the coast (Marina di Ravenna, Lido Adriano) sell out for New Year's Eve. Book early and check whether a festive dinner is included.
• Takeaway glass bottles and cans may be banned in the historic centre; use approved cups. The city publishes the current ordinance shortly before 31 December.
• On 1 January, visit San Vitale, the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia and Dante's tomb once the squares quieten down. Official updates: turismo.ra.it and IAT Piazza San Francesco 7, Tel. +39 0544 35404.