Things to Do in Verona

Verona is defined by one of the most spectacular event venues on earth: the Arena di Verona, a first-century Roman amphitheatre that seats approximately 15,000 spectators under the open sky. Every summer since 1913, the Arena Opera Festival has staged grand productions of Aida, Carmen, Nabucco, Turandot, and other masterworks against a backdrop that no modern theatre can rival. The festival runs from mid-June through early September, drawing opera lovers from around the world to performances illuminated by thousands of candles held by the audience at dusk. Beyond opera, the Arena hosts major rock and pop concerts throughout the warmer months, with artists ranging from legacy acts to contemporary stars performing in this UNESCO-worthy setting. The Teatro Filarmonico, located adjacent to the Arena on Via dei Mutilati, serves as Verona's year-round performing arts venue for opera, ballet, and orchestral concerts during the autumn and winter months when the Arena season is closed. Hellas Verona FC competes in Serie A at the Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi, a 39,211-capacity stadium in the Borgo Venezia district that also hosts Chievo Verona and occasional international football fixtures. The city's events calendar extends to the Verona Jazz Festival, the Tocati festival of traditional street games in September, and the renowned Christmas markets in Piazza dei Signori. The peak season for events runs from June through September, but Verona's compact historic center and the Teatro Filarmonico ensure cultural offerings continue through winter.