New Year’s Eve in Gaeta is celebrated in the squares, surrounded by the illuminations of Favole di Luce: a free concert, a midnight toast in Piazza della Libertà, DJs by the sea and, the next morning, the traditional New Year’s dip in Serapo. This page always stays the same: we update it every year with the official schedule as soon as it is released, and in the meantime, it looks back at how the previous edition unfolded.
New Year’s Eve 2027 in Gaeta: the schedule
The schedule for 31 December 2026 has not yet been announced. For the last edition, the municipality presented it on 29 December: it usually arrives in the final days of the year. What is already known: the Favole di Luce lights will be on, and the party, as always, will take place in the town centre.
Want to find out right away when the New Year’s Eve 2027 schedule is out? Subscribe to the newsletter at the bottom of the page: the programme will arrive there as soon as it is announced. Or ask Enea on WhatsApp.
What New Year’s Eve 2026 was like
On the night of 31 December 2025, Gaeta celebrated across two locations, both free of charge, organised by the municipality alongside Regione Lazio, the Ministry of Culture, and ATCL:
- Piazza della Libertà: starting at 22:30 with Black Ball Boogie (rock’n’roll and boogie-woogie), the midnight toast, followed by Paolo Belli and his Big Band of twelve musicians, playing swing, pop, and his greatest hits.
- Molo Sanità, in Gaeta Medievale: the seaside dance floor hosted by Mauro Marino and DJs Fabrizio Fontana, Piergiorgio D’Arpino, Mauro Dee, Gennaro Spierto, Cristian Di Vanni, and Danila Monfreda.
For details about that evening: the announcement and the guide with practical tips.
Traditions that return every year
Gliu Sciuscio, the evening of the 31st
This is Gaeta’s year-end folk tradition: spontaneous musical groups roam the streets, often playing homemade instruments, to bring good wishes to family and friends. The group formed in 1992 returned in 2025, 33 years later, with a parade between the square and Via Indipendenza, free and open to everyone.
The New Year’s Dip, 1 January in Serapo
On the morning of 1 January, at the Nave beach establishment in Serapo, the collective dip “Memorial Fulvia Frallicciardi” takes place: 2026 marked its 18th edition, with registration at 11:00, the dip at 12:00, and a toast at 12:30, “regardless of the weather”. How the last edition went.
Le Calanne dei Sciusci, before Epiphany
The grand finale of the festivities: the Sciusci folk groups perform in Piazza Vincenzo Capodanno. In 2026, it took place on Sunday, 4 January from 17:00, organised by the municipality and the local Pro Loco. The details of the last edition.
Practical tips for New Year’s Eve
- By car: the town centre starts filling up by the afternoon. Read the guide to parking and ZTL areas and arrive early.
- By bus: Cotral buses run from Formia and neighbouring towns; make sure to check the time of the last run.
- Where to stay: find B&Bs and hotels in our guide on where to stay in Gaeta; for New Year’s Eve, it is best to book well in advance.
- Before the party: take a stroll through the illuminations and catch the Fontana di San Francesco light and water show.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in Gaeta on New Year’s Eve?
Celebrations take place in the squares amidst the light installations: a free concert and midnight toast in Piazza della Libertà, seaside DJ sets in Gaeta Medievale, and, on 1 January, the traditional group dip in Serapo.
Are New Year’s Eve celebrations in the square in Gaeta free?
In 2026, yes: both the concert in Piazza della Libertà and the DJ set at Molo Sanità had free admission. The 2027 schedule has not yet been released.
When is the New Year’s Eve 2027 schedule announced?
There is no set date yet: last year the municipality presented it on 29 December. We will update this page as soon as it is officially announced.
Who performed on New Year’s Eve 2026 in Gaeta?
Paolo Belli with his Big Band and the Black Ball Boogie in Piazza della Libertà; Mauro Marino and other DJs at Molo Sanità.
Sources
Comune di Gaeta, New Year’s Eve 2026 schedule (29 December 2025); TuttoGolfo, “Sta per tornare gliu Sciuscio gaetano” (27 December 2025); our guides on the Tuffo and the Calanne dei Sciusci (January 2026). Accessed on 10 October 2026.
