Guide to the events of Magical Night

This quick look, which is certainly not complete, that we offer you from among the free events on schedule for the New Year's celebrations in the numerous squares and historic downtowns throughout the region, is an invitation to participate and share in the joy, with friends and loved ones, of the many events offered in Emilia Romagna for the longest celebration of the year.

Starting out from the coast, the most highly anticipated event is undoubtedly New Year's in Rimini which will begin in piazza Fellini, just a few steps away from the sea, with a concert by Battiato, followed by many events which will involve the whole city, and of course there will be ballroom dancing, Latin American dancing, theater shows, and "Movida" for younger participants.

Also along the coast, there is the bubbly evening in the square in Riccione in the company of the composer and musician Stefano Bollani who will perform with the presenter  Dario Vergassola, with an all female string quartet, The Quartetto Euphoria, and the prestigious sixty piece Orchestra Sinfonica Rossini di Pesaro, directed by M° Giorgio Leardini.

At the port in Cesenatico, the night will be spent dancing to the rhythm of the Dino Gnassi Corporation Band. Nine pieces, among which is a powerful wind section and an amazing percussion section, will offer the best music of the ’60s, disco ’70s and ’80s, as well as the hits from the ’40s and ’50s, with a look at the music of Renato Carosone and Fred Buscaglione.

But also the cities of art will have a starring role.

Warming up the square on New Year's Eve in the historic downtown of Ravenna will be the funny and engrossing group Umagroso. Ten crazy instruments with a lot of energy will perfectly interpret the classics of  Rhythm & Blues of the ‘60s and Funky & Soul from the '70s.

And, like every year, there is the very hot night of San Silvestro in Ferrara which will host many musicians in the square. But here the hottest event is most definitely the spectacular burning of the Castle; when the clock strikes midnight, lights colors and fireworks will light up the castle along with impressive music.

Also set on fire at midnight in Bologna, in piazza Maggiore, will be the traditional big “Vecchione”, or old man, this year created by Paper Resistance, a well-known name in illustrating and underground graphic design.

Hugs and kisses at midnight also at the party in Modena in the company of the Modena City Ramblers, the band which combines rock with the sounds and melodies of popular Irish and central European music.

In Parma, after a day of events dedicated to children, the square will be enlivened with music and dancing and then a countdown to midnight with toasts to the new year, along with videos and then a live performance by Cluster.

In our quick look, we could not leave out Rivalta, on of the most beautiful towns in Italy near Piacenza, which will be all decked out for the party, while at the Castle, the counts will open the doors to guests in person; guests will be able to visit the building and admire fireworks from the tower.

But the events on the longest night of the year do not stop here: our calendar of New Year's parties offers the best events in the region and wishes everyone a very Happy New Year!