Getting Ready for New Year’s Eve (Part Two)

New Year’s Eve—it’s time to celebrate. Whether you surround yourself with family warmth or venture out solo for adventure or romance, there’s always room to paint your first “turning point” of the year in brand-new colors. Newlyweds can toast their first “yes” together; singles can give their final December memory an indelible flavor. It’s the shift from yesterday’s life to a fresh, shared tomorrow—always under the sign of love. Our journey continues through Italian cities and the celebrations they’ve planned for the season…

…the Fat, the Red, Félsina… the epithets for this Emilia-Romania capital are endless. To honor the turn of the year, alongside the must-have toast in Piazza Maggiore—now the heart of local tradition—Bologna offers a lineup of shows for every taste. At Teatro Duse, Gianni Morandi takes the stage with his Stasera gioco in casa: Una vita di canzoni anche a Capodanno! Simultaneously, at the TEA—Teatro EuropAuditorium—Steven Spielberg brings inspiration with his masterpiece Ready Player One. And for Cirque du Soleil fans, Le Cirque World’s Top Performers presents the genre’s finest artists in the show titled Tilt.

Heading south, Naples dresses up for the customary toast in Piazza del Plebiscito. Beyond the New Year’s Concert, opportunities abound. Tenuta Astroni, nestled in the Phlegraean Fields, promises an exceptional countdown menu: a starter of oysters, truffles, and cod with aromatic herbs; fish carpaccios; scialatielli in a scampi, shrimp, and shellfish cream; sea bream fillet and giant prawns with pistachio crumble; followed by fruit, salad, Christmas sweets and ciocere, the classic zampone with lentils—and, as always, plenty of bubbly. Craving an unconventional evening? Book an overnight cabin and enjoy a panoramic cruise around Naples, Ischia, and Procida.

Yes, Ischia herself—just a few strokes from Naples—enchants visitors with nativity scenes in ancient palaces and the colorful glow of festive markets. Music and open-air concerts turn every street into a dance floor. If privacy is what you seek, retreat to one of the island’s many spa centers. The night will take on a languid—or even daring—tone, depending on the soundtrack you choose.

Our final stop, but by no means the least: the Dolomites. Renowned for their top-tier, ever-innovative ski resorts, they cater to even the most demanding guests. Spas abound here too—most notably QC Terme in Pozza di Fassa, open until 11pm on December 31. In Trento, it’s all about on-piste action: Monte Bondone now boasts countless lifts, a snow park, and ski-bars perfect for quick breaks. While Piazza Duomo readies for 2020, Bolzano gears up for late-night revelry in Piazza dei Domenicani. And the Boclassic—a citywide race open to everyone but divided by fitness level—stands as the crowning jewel of northern Italy’s rich tapestry of traditions, customs, and celebrations.