Bologna is a city in Italy, famous for its character, history and sightseeing and ideal for a family holiday.  It also has a wealth of events throughout the year, with which you may not be so familiar.

The year kicks off with the Carnevale dei Bambini in February or March time.  This carnival, as the name implies, is the ‘carnival of the children’ and really is a carnival dedicated to children, so it’s an ideal time for a family holiday.

The whole of the first half of the year is the Teatro Comunale Season, running from January to June, there are concerts and opera galore at the city’s famous theatre and nobody does opera like Italy.

From July to September, you can see the Bologna Est, the annual summer festival of music and dance, theatre and street entertainment wherever you go.

In October, children are celebrated yet again.  This time with the Children’s Song Festival, an annual celebration of the music of youth.

From the end of October until November is their antiques fair, called La Mostra Belle.

That leaves December for traditional Christmas celebrations and then it’s back to the start again.  Bologna truly is a city of celebrations.

Flights take just 2 hours from London to Bologna airport, which is only 4 miles outside the city.