The canal harbour is the centre of many Cesenatico celebrations: fish festivals, Festa di Garibaldi and Presepe della Marineria bring even off-season visitors back to the sea. May is the month of major sporting events; in July and August, music is spread between beaches, Piazza delle Conserve and the summer arena.
Choosing a season for events
The calendar follows the sea, fishermen's cooking and sport. Dates already announced for 2027 appear in the relevant sections.
| Period | Events | Main locations |
|---|---|---|
| Carnival and Easter | Carnevale in Piazzetta, Vele di Pasqua | Piazza delle Conserve and the sea off Ponente |
| Late April or early May | Azzurro come il pesce | Canal harbour and historic centre |
| May | Nove Colli and Challenge Cesenatico | Venues and routes in the sports programmes |
| Summer | Notte Rosa, dawn concerts, Ribalta Marea, Notturni alle Conserve | Piazza Andrea Costa, beaches and series venues |
| July and August | Cuccagna, Festa di Garibaldi, Rustida | Canal harbour and Mercato Ittico area |
| September | Festa del Monte, Memorial Marco Pantani, Festa dello Sport | Monte neighbourhood, roads and centre |
| Late October and early November | Il pesce fa festa | Historic centre and Mercato Ittico area |
| Late November to mid-January | Presepe della Marineria and small markets | Canal harbour and central streets |
| 31 December | Capodanno sul Porto | Piazza Ciceruacchio |
Fish festivals in spring and autumn
Azzurro come il pesce is the spring festival devoted to the Adriatic catch. Stalls occupy the canal harbour and historic centre: the 2026 edition ran from 23 to 26 April. Admission is free; dishes are paid for at the stalls.
Il pesce fa festa returns to the theme in autumn, between late October and 2 November, in the historic centre and Mercato Ittico area, with stalls open from 29 October to 2 November in both 2025 and 2026. Market days and accompanying activities appear in the festival entry on the tourism portal.
Nove Colli and triathlon in May
Nove Colli is the long-distance cycling event from Cesenatico to the hinterland hills. It takes place on a Sunday in the second half of May; the 56th edition is announced for 23 May 2027 on the official Nove Colli website, with routes and registration.
Challenge Cesenatico brings middle-distance triathlon to the town, with a sea start and a cycling route towards the hinterland hills. The 2027 edition changes format: Challenge Cesenatico 100, on Sunday 16 May 2027, consists of a 2 km swim, 80 km cycle and 18 km run. Those travelling to compete or to accompany an athlete will find background on sporting activities in the guide to sport in Cesenatico.
Summer music and maritime traditions
Notturni alle Conserve brings classical music to Piazza delle Conserve. Ribalta Marea offers shows in the summer arena at Largo Cappuccini; dawn concerts instead take place on free beaches.
Notte Rosa follows the regional calendar, with events in Piazza Andrea Costa and on the beach. Since 2025, it has taken place in June: 20-22 June in 2025 and 19-21 June in 2026. Venue evenings and music hours are covered in the guide to nightclubs and nightlife in Cesenatico.
On the canal harbour, Cuccagna dell'Adriatico is one of July's events. Festa di Garibaldi commemorates the departure by boat on 2 August 1849 and takes place around the first weekend in August, with Palio della Cuccagna on the canal harbour and fireworks over the sea opposite Piazza Costa.
Rustida dei pescatori takes place on 14 August in the Mercato Ittico area, Via Matteucci. On 15 August, Benedizione del Mare includes services and a trip out to sea: it is distinct from Rustida. Other evening activities appear in the guide to entertainment in Cesenatico.
Presepe della Marineria and Christmas at the harbour
Presepe della Marineria is set up on the floating museum's historic vessels. It is illuminated on the last Sunday in November and stays until mid-January, beyond Epiphany: 30 November to 11 January in 2025-26, and 29 November to 10 January in 2026-27. The 2026-27 edition marks 40 years.
Christmas markets have their own calendar, with selected weekend and holiday dates until 6 January. On the evening of 31 December, Capodanno sul Porto is celebrated in Piazza Ciceruacchio, as in 2024 and 2025.
Finding the full calendar
The official Cesenatico tourism portal publishes event entries with dates and venues for each edition. The guide to Riviera events compares other resorts.