Any timeAsk EneaThe Scopri Gaeta guide answers even at night.
Every winter, the light illuminations in Gaeta, the Favole di Luce, transform the town: light installations as tall as buildings, the show at the Fontana di San Francesco, free open-air concerts, and hundreds of thousands of visitors between November and January. This page is split into two parts: above is everything we know about the 2026–2027 edition, and below is how the 2025–2026 edition unfolded, giving you an idea of what to expect.
Gaeta Illuminations 2026–2027: What is official today
When do the Gaeta illuminations start?
The 2026 date is not available yet. Recent editions have switched on in November (November 9 in 2025) and stayed lit until mid-January: if tradition holds, the switch-on will take place in November. This is an estimate, not a confirmed date.
💡 Want to be the first to know? Ask Enea when the illuminations start → As soon as the date is set, Enea knows it.
What’s new from ScopriGaeta for this edition
- Real-time Enea — switch-on times, active ZTL access gates, parking, what’s on tonight: just ask and you’ll get an answer, also on WhatsApp.
- The illuminations map with GPS, available once the 2026–2027 installations are set up.
How to reach the illuminations: parking, ZTL, buses
On illumination weekends, tens of thousands of visitors arrive: arriving well-prepared makes the difference between a magical evening and an hour spent searching for parking. This information is valid year-round; details on dedicated shuttles and extra parking for 2026–2027 will be added as soon as they are officially announced.
- Where to park: for the historic center, head to Parcheggio Gaeta Medievale (Piazzale 5 Febbraio) or Piazzale Caboto, then continue on foot; along Lungomare Caboto, there are paid blue-line parking spaces. The Gaeta parking guide →
- Gaeta Medievale ZTL (restricted traffic zone): access points follow the municipal ordinance; Via Annunziata is monitored by camera and closed every evening from 19:00 to 5:00. Before setting off, check the active access gates with Enea.
- By bus: Cotral bus services run regularly from Formia (railway station) and neighboring towns. Bus timetables for Gaeta →
→ The practical guide: how to visit the illuminations stress-free
After the illuminations: where to eat and stay in Gaeta
Dinner in the center or along the seafront. Among ScopriGaeta’s partner venues that remain open during the illuminations season are Pizzeria del Porto di Carlo Avallone, in the medieval district, and Antica Pizzeria Ciro 1923, with its seafront terrace. All recommended venues, along with opening hours, prices, and areas, can be found in our guide Where to eat in Gaeta →
A weekend among the lights, or New Year’s Eve in Gaeta. Partner hotels, B&Bs, and resorts, from the historic centre to the Riviera di Ulisse: Where to stay in Gaeta →
Past editions: what the 2025-2026 edition was like (the tenth)
This section covers the past edition: dates, times, and guests listed below do not apply to 2026-2027.
While we wait for the new edition, here is what Favole di Luce looked like last year, through our photos and videos.
Tap a video to watch with sound · 2025-2026 edition
Photos and videos from the 2025-2026 edition.
The 2025-2026 edition at a glance
- Dates: switch-on Sunday 9 November 2025 with Paolo Belli, lights on until Sunday 11 January 2026. The 2024-2025 edition remained lit until 12 January 2025.
- Times: illuminations on every day at sunset, around 17:00-17:30.
- 27 light installations along the town centre route, including dinosaurs, the whale, and pandas.
- The Fontana di San Francesco show, on weekends and public holidays (schedule for the 2025-2026 edition).
- Free concerts in the square: opening night with Paolo Belli, Neri per Caso at Christmas, Danilo Rea, Matteo Brancaleoni, the "Back to 2000" party, and the New Year's Eve concert.
- The Christmas Drone Show, repeated by popular demand, and the "Hunt for the 27 Lights", the game to find them all using the map.
- Shuttle bus: running on weekends.
New Year's Eve. In Gaeta celebrations take place in the piazza with a free concert, followed the next morning by the New Year's Day Dip in Serapo. The schedule welcoming 2027 will be posted here and on the Capodanno a Gaeta page, along with traditions for the night of the 31st and 1 January.
Stay updated: find the latest news here first
- 📬 The Thursday newsletter — what's happening in Gaeta, every week
- 💬 Enea on WhatsApp — your Gaeta guide in your pocket, anytime
- 📱 ScopriGaeta's Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook — photos and videos every evening during the illuminations
- 🔔 Check back on this page: at the top you will always find the latest update with the date
Frequently asked questions about the Gaeta illuminations
When do the Gaeta luminarie (light displays) start in 2026?
The dates for the 2026-2027 edition have not yet been announced; preparations have begun in the city. In recent editions, the switch-on took place in November (9 November in 2025), and the lights remained on until mid-January.
Do you have to pay to see the Gaeta luminarie?
No: in past editions, the luminarie and concerts in the piazzas have always been free. You only pay for parking if you park in the blue spaces.
What time do the luminarie turn on?
In the 2025-2026 edition, every day at sunset, around 17:00-17:30. The 2026-2027 schedule will be published here.
Where are the luminarie located in Gaeta?
Along the route through the city centre, from the Lungomare to the borgo. The 2026-2027 route and the location of each installation will be available on the luminarie map as soon as the installations are set up.
Where to park for the luminarie?
For the historic centre, park at Parcheggio Gaeta Medievale (Piazzale 5 Febbraio) or Piazzale Caboto; along Lungomare Caboto, there are blue parking spaces. On weekends, it is best to arrive before the switch-on. All details are in the parking guide.
How long do they stay lit?
The 2027 closing date has not yet been announced. The last two editions stayed on until 11 January 2026 and 12 January 2025.
Where to eat after seeing the luminarie?
In the historic centre and along Lungomare Caboto, just steps from the route. Partner venues open in winter, with opening hours and price ranges, can be found in the Where to eat in Gaeta guide.
Watch it on video
0:37Festivals and traditionsThe Favole di Luce installations seen by day
0:32Festivals and traditionsThe light dinosaurs of Favole di Luce 2025
0:54Festivals and traditionsThe grand finale of Favole di Luce 2025-2026
0:35Festivals and traditionsThe lights from above: Favole di Luce 2025
0:20Festivals and traditionsThe fountain show at Favole di Luce 2025
0:47Festivals and traditionsChristmas Drone Show at Favole di Luce 2025
0:35Festivals and traditionsFavole di Luce 2025, the Gaeta light festival
