Updated on September 16, 2026 · this page is updated with every official announcement regarding dates, program, and times.
Favole di Luce is about to return. Every year, between November and January, Gaeta transforms into the city of lights: building-sized light installations, the Fontana di San Francesco water and light show, free concerts in the squares, and hundreds of thousands of visitors. The 2026-2027 edition will be the 11th, and this is where you will find everything — dates, schedule, map, parking — as soon as it becomes official.
The dates have not been announced yet. As soon as they are, you will find them here first. In the meantime, here is what we know, what to expect, and how to get ready.
When do the 2026 Gaeta illuminations start? What we know today
The official program hasn’t been released yet. But recent editions give a clear picture of what to expect:
- 2025-2026 Edition (the 10th): switch-on on Sunday, November 9, 2025 with Paolo Belli, lights on until Sunday, January 11, 2026. Nine festive weeks.
- 2024-2025 Edition: lights on until January 12, 2025.
- Switch-on time in recent editions: every day at sunset, around 17:00-17:30.
- Admission: the illuminations have always been free of charge, as have the main open-air concerts.
If tradition holds, the switch-on will happen in November. But this is an estimate, not a confirmed date: you will find the official one here as soon as it is announced.
💡 Want to know before everyone else? Ask Enea when the lights turn on → As soon as the date is set, Enea knows.
What to expect: the last edition in numbers
For those who have never visited — or wish to reminisce — here is a look back at the 10th edition:
- 27 light installations along the town center route, including the dinosaurs, the whale, and the pandas
- The Fontana di San Francesco show, with different showtimes between weekdays and weekends (show schedules here)
- Free concerts in the square: the opening 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, brought back by popular demand
- The “Hunt for the 27 Lights” (Caccia alle 27 Luci), the game to discover them all using the map
Here is what the fountain show looked like last year:
What’s new for the 2026-2027 edition
This year, ScopriGaeta arrives at the illumination festival with new tools designed to help you enjoy the evening without wasting time:
- 🤖 Enea knows everything in real time — switch-on times, active ZTL (limited traffic zone) gates, parking spots, tonight’s events: just ask and get an answer, even on WhatsApp.
- ✨ And more news to be revealed in the coming weeks. Check back on this page or sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss out.
How to get ready: parking, shuttle bus, ZTL
The illuminations bring tens of thousands of visitors on weekends: arriving prepared makes all the difference between a magical evening and spending an hour looking for parking.
- Where to park: for the historic center, Parcheggio Gaeta Medievale (Piazzale 5 Febbraio) or Piazzale Caboto, then continue on foot; paid blue line spaces are available along Lungomare Caboto. The Gaeta parking guide →
- Gaeta Medievale ZTL: access gates follow municipal regulations; Via Annunziata is camera-monitored and closed every evening from 19:00 to 5:00. Check active access gates with Enea before setting out.
- Shuttle bus: in previous editions it operated on weekends. Routes and schedules for 2026-2027 will be published here as soon as they become official.
→ The practical guide: how to visit the illuminations stress-free
After the lights: where to eat and where to stay in Gaeta
Dinner in the center or along the waterfront. Among the ScopriGaeta partner venues open during the illumination months are Pizzeria del Porto di Carlo Avallone, in the medieval quarter, and Antica Pizzeria Ciro 1923, with its sea-view terrace. All recommended spots, complete with hours, prices, and locations, are in the 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 center to the Riviera di Ulisse: Where to stay in Gaeta →
New Year’s Eve. Gaeta celebrates in the main square with a free concert, followed the next morning by the Tuffo di Capodanno a Serapo (New Year’s Day swim). The 2027 schedule will be posted here.
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: you will always find the latest update with the date at the very top
Frequently asked questions about Gaeta’s illuminations
When do the Gaeta illuminations start in 2026?
The official dates for the 2026-2027 edition have not yet been announced. In recent editions, the switch-on took place in November (November 9 in 2025) and the lights stayed on until mid-January. We will update this page as soon as the date is made official.
How much does it cost to see Favole di Luce?
In past editions, the light installations and square concerts have always been free of charge.
What time do the lights turn on?
In recent editions, every day at sunset, around 17:00-17:30. The 2026-2027 schedule will be published here.
Where are the illuminations in Gaeta?
Along the route through the city center, from the Lungomare to the old village. The complete route and the location of each installation will be published here with the official program.
Where to park for the illuminations?
For the historic center, at Parcheggio Gaeta Medievale (Piazzale 5 Febbraio) or Piazzale Caboto; blue-line pay parking is available along Lungomare Caboto. On weekends, it is best to arrive before the switch-on. All the details are in the parking guide.
How long do they stay on?
In the last two editions, until January 11, 2026 and January 12, 2025. The 2027 closing date will be announced here.
Where to eat after seeing the lights?
In the historic center and along Lungomare Caboto, just a short walk from the route. Partner venues open during winter, with opening hours and price ranges, are listed in the guide Where to eat in Gaeta.
