The first weekend of September in Gaeta is busier than you might expect from a town that has just bid farewell to the peak season: five events between Saturday and Sunday, almost all with free admission, and a guest you usually see on television.
Here is what’s on, hour by hour, and above all what you can actually fit in during an evening.
Saturday, September 5
- 17:30-20:30 — Mostra Marinara «Gaeta e il Mare», at Museo del Mare. The XXXII edition is dedicated to the historical notes on Gaeta by Don Lidio Borgese. Open only on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays: this is one of ten available dates.
- 18:00 — Frammenti MArteLive, music, theatre, and dance in the town centre. Free admission.
- 19:00-23:00 — Teatrino dei Burattini dei Fratelli Mercurio, on Lungomare Caboto. Puppet shows for children, running every evening since June.
- 21:00 — Karaoke at Old Station, in Piazza Mazzini: singing, sandwiches, and a beer. Free admission.
- 21:15 — Paolo Ruffini at Molo Santa Maria, for «Parole in Scena»: the actor and director discusses his book «Io sono perfetto». Free admission, subject to availability.
Sunday, September 6
- 17:30-20:30 — Mostra Marinara, the second opening day of the weekend.
- 18:00 — Frammenti MArteLive, second and final day.
- 19:00-23:00 — Teatrino dei Burattini: final evening. After almost three months of daily shows, which began on June 13, Fratelli Mercurio bring their season to a close. If you haven’t taken the kids yet, this is your chance — after this, you’ll have to wait until next summer.
How to actually fit them in
The combination that works best is on Saturday evening, and it is worth explaining with realistic distances rather than claiming that “everything is just steps away,” because it isn’t.
The exhibition at 17:30 followed by Ruffini at 21:15 is the natural pairing: the Museo del Mare is on Via Annunziata and Molo Santa Maria is the small harbour just below, both located inside Gaeta medievale (the medieval quarter). You finish at the exhibition by eight-thirty, have dinner in the neighbourhood, and stroll down to the pier at a relaxed pace.
The Teatrino dei Burattini, on the other hand, is on Lungomare Caboto, further east: you can reach it by car or with a long walk, and it is the right choice if you have children — at that point, it’s best to dedicate the entire evening to it. Old Station is on the other side, towards Piazza Mazzini: it is the place to end your night afterwards, not an option to squeeze in beforehand.
If you are in Gaeta only for Sunday, the ideal match is exhibition + puppet show, wrapping up with the final performance of the season.
Where to park
Most of this weekend’s events take place in Gaeta medievale, where the streets are narrow and parking spots are scarce: it is best to leave your car outside the old town and walk the last few minutes. In our parking guide to Gaeta, you will find rates, private car parks, and the town’s two free parking areas along with walking times.
For updated opening hours and last-minute questions — “is it open tonight?”, “where do I park?” — you can ask Enea, via the central button on the bottom bar: available at any time, even while you are driving.
The complete schedule, updated every morning, can be found on our events in Gaeta page.
