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Spring is welcomed in with street theatre and garden openings.

New Year’s Eve involves merrymaking in Piazza del Plebiscito and fireworks over Castel dell’Ovo.

The irrepressible Pulcinella is lord of this ultimate blow-out in Naples, just before the austerities of Lent begin. Lasagne is the traditional dish to indulge in, and masks and partying are very much a part of this age-old celebration. Kids in particular get the chance to choose their fantasy persona and parade around in all their finery.

This genteel villa is the venue for sunset classical concerts (see Villa San Michele).

For one week Italy’s publicly owned museums, historic and archaeological sites are free to all.

Summer in Naples includes outdoor films, theatre and music in venues around town.

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary marks the height of the summer season, when almost every shop and restaurant is closed. Pozzuoli stages a contest of climbing a greased pole, while Positano re-enacts a landing of Saracen corsairs.

The aristocratic villas along this coast play host to classical concerts (see Vesuvius).

In Italy the festival of the Epiphany is personified by La Befana, a witch-like hag flying in on a broom who delivers gifts to good children and puts “lumps of coal” (actually sweets) in the shoes of naughty ones.

Celebrating the Immaculate Conception, this festival opens the Christmas season; nativity scenes go up and the Guglia dell’Immacolata (see Spaccanapoli to Capodimonte) becomes the focal point of pious activity.