Any timeAsk EneaThe Scopri Gaeta guide answers even at night.
The weekend of 23-25 October in Gaeta was supposed to be dedicated to the Pizza & Birra Fest: with an announcement on 21 October, the organisers postponed it to Friday 30 October, Saturday 31 October, and Sunday 1 November. Therefore, there will be no festival stalls or concerts this weekend. However, the weekend won’t be empty: Saturday morning features Halloween activities for children in Serapo, Sunday marks the opening of Fuori Posto at the Castello Angioino, and—on Sunday only—you can climb the bell tower of the Cattedrale.
Weekend events
Saturday 24 October
- Il Giardino delle Zucche at Giardini di Serapo — from 10:00 to 12:00. Halloween for children, now in its second edition: pumpkin carving, face painting, a selfie area, and a magic show with Mago Silver. Participation requires booking via WhatsApp at 327 103 5240. The event will also be held on Saturday 31 October, at the same times.
Sunday 25 October
- The bell tower of the Cattedrale, at 16:00 — this is the last date on the Porte Aperte schedule: during autumn, the bell tower can only be visited on 27 September and 25 October. Booking is required by emailing ars@cattedralegaeta.it.
- Fuori Posto: «Un po’ lontano» at the Castello Angioino — at 16:30. Opening the fourteenth edition of this unconventional theatre festival: theatre and dance in Italian and Italian Sign Language, featuring live surtitles, designed for both deaf and hearing audiences. Followed by the Premio Cambiare. Free admission; reservations at info@fuoricontesto.it or at 376 213 7662. The festival continues at the Castello until 3 December.
Both the bell tower and the Castello are located in the medieval quarter, just a few minutes’ walk apart, but their times almost overlap: on Sunday afternoon, it is best to choose one of the two.
All weekend long
- Porte Aperte to the heritage of the Basilica Cattedrale — until 31 October. The Cattedrale and the Crypt are open daily from 10:30 to 12:30 and from 16:00 to 17:00, with free admission. From Friday to Sunday, San Giovanni a Mare also opens (10:30-12:30 and 16:00-18:00); on Saturday and Sunday morning, the Tempio di San Francesco (10:30-12:30); on Sunday, the Terra Santa di San Domenico (10:00-12:00).
Sunday brings the return of standard time
During the night between Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October, daylight saving time ends: at 3:00 the clocks go back to 2:00. You gain an extra hour of sleep, but the sun sets earlier: on Sunday in Gaeta around 17:10, an hour earlier than in recent days. Anyone wishing to catch the sunset from Serapo or from Monte Orlando will need to set off earlier than usual.
Around the gulf, just minutes from Gaeta
- Le Vie di Bacco in Gianola (Formia) — Sunday 25, from 11:00 to 17:00. The eleventh edition of the wine festival organised by GianolAmare: 14 stands featuring wines, local specialities, folk music, and activities for children. Strolling among the stands is free; a ticket is required for the tasting route, available for purchase online.
- SperlongaRun — Sunday 25 at 9:30, starting from Via del Porto in Sperlonga: a 10 km run. Registration closed on 21 October, but you can go along to cheer on the runners.
- «Signori si parte – Treni storici in giro per l’Italia» — Sunday 25 at the Torre di Mola, in Formia, hosted in collaboration with the Municipality of Formia.
Upcoming weekends: Pizza Fest, Halloween, and Favole di Luce
The Pizza & Birra Fest has been moved to Friday 30 October, Saturday 31 October, and Sunday 1 November 2026, still taking place along Corso Italia and in Piazza dei Maestri Vetrai, with free admission. Guests and schedules for the new evenings have not yet been confirmed: we will add them as soon as the organisers announce them. It is also the weekend of Halloween and the All Saints’ long weekend, featuring the second morning of the Giardino delle Zucche.
On Saturday 7 November at 16:00, in Piazza della Libertà, the Favole di Luce will be switched on: the opening ceremony features «Armonie in movimento» by Mvula Sungani, and the light displays will remain on until 10 January 2027.
If you have half a day
With the churches open, this is the perfect weekend to explore the medieval quarter: the half-day itinerary between Monte Orlando and medieval Gaeta arranges the stops in ideal order, and the guide to the historic centre of Gaeta describes what to see street by street.
Before you go
The Gaeta weather forecast is updated in real time. If you are travelling by car, it is worth checking the guide to parking and the ZTL (restricted traffic zone). Events updated day by day can be found on the page This weekend in Gaeta and in the events calendar.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Pizza Fest taking place this weekend in Gaeta?
No. The Pizza & Birra Fest has been postponed to Friday 30 October, Saturday 31 October, and Sunday 1 November 2026.
What can you do in Gaeta with children this weekend?
On Saturday 24 October, from 10:00 to 12:00, there is the Giardino delle Zucche at Giardini di Serapo: pumpkin carving, face painting, and Mago Silver, with reservations required via WhatsApp at 327 103 5240.
When do the clocks go back in 2026?
During the night between Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026: at 3:00 the hands move back to 2:00.
