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Shop Halloween Deals →Every October, Corinaldo transforms into a realm of witches, shadows, and theatrical horror. In 2025, the Festa delle Streghe (Festival of Witches) returns, held on October 24, 25, 26, and 31, making Corinaldo Italy’s most immersive Halloween destination.
With winding alleys, medieval walls, and candlelit corners, the festival’s parade and nightly events draw thrill-seekers from across Italy and Europe.
Corinaldo Halloween 2025
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | October 24, 25, 26, 31, 2025 |
| Start Time (evening) | ~4:00 p.m. for opening attractions; main evening shows proceed after dusk |
| Location / Route | Medieval center of Corinaldo; attractions in alleys, squares, tunnels |
| Duration | Events run from afternoon into late night (up to ~3 a.m.) |
| Entry Fee | Free entry to public areas; some attractions (e.g. Fear Tunnel) may require timed tickets |
| Main Attractions | Fear Tunnel, Transformation Tower, Miss Strega contest, street performances, haunted alleys |
| Official Info | Corinaldo Turismo / Festa delle Streghe Facebook pages |
History & Origins of Festa delle Streghe
The Festa delle Streghe began in 1998, conceived by the local Pro Loco group to bring life to Corinaldo’s atmospheric medieval core.
The goal was simple: use the narrow lanes, ramparts, and alleys as a stage for theatrical installations, immersive streets, and folklore imagery.
Over the years, the festival expanded: more artistic direction, bigger shows, and deeper link with local identity and tourism promotion.
The “Miss Strega” contest became a symbolic moment crowning the year’s witch based on creativity and representation.
Corinaldo leans into the “witch capital” identity, branding itself as Italy’s Halloween stronghold. The festival fuses entertainment, cultural roots, and community storytelling.
Date, Time & Location Details (2025 Edition)
For 2025, the festival is confirmed on October 24, 25, 26, and 31. Evening performances and attractions typically begin at 4:00 p.m. or later, with the full Halloween night running until around 3:00 a.m.
While the exact parade route for 2025 hasn’t been published publicly yet, past editions offer good clues: the procession and street shows weave through Corinaldo’s medieval walls, narrow alleys, and central squares.
Best starting viewing points include major piazzas or near entrances to main alleys. The route often ends near the central square, where key acts and fireworks conclude the night.
Since the historic center is compact and maze-like, many attractions are site-specific rather than one long straight parade. Think: haunted paths, surprise performances, tunnels of fear in alleys.
How to Participate in Corinaldo Halloween 2025
If you’ve ever dreamed of walking through Italy’s spookiest medieval town dressed as a witch or warlock, Corinaldo 2025 is your chance.
The event is open to everyone, and you don’t need any formal registration to join the crowds in costume. Simply show up in your outfit and follow the music, lights, and laughter spilling from the alleys.
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Shop Halloween Deals →Certain interactive attractions like the “Tunnel of Fear” or the Witch Transformation Tower may require small tickets purchased on-site. It’s smart to carry a bit of cash, as mobile payments sometimes lag in the crowded old streets.
Families can also join costume walks earlier in the evening, while late-night parades are mostly adult-oriented. Volunteers are often recruited through Pro Loco Corinaldo weeks before the event; helping out earns you behind-the-scenes access and free passes to premium zones.
Viewing Tips & Best Spots
The old town center is the heart of the celebration. For the best photos, I usually head to Via del Corso before sunset this is where the first costumed performers appear. By twilight, the stairways near La Piaggia (Corinaldo’s iconic brick steps) become the festival’s busiest photo backdrop.
If you want fewer crowds, stake out spots near Porta San Giacomo or along the city walls, where parades loop by with torches and fog machines. Keep in mind that October nights can be chilly; layering up and wearing comfortable shoes is essential.
Accessibility is improving each year, but steep staircases can be tricky. Wheelchair users and families with strollers should plan to stay near the flat paths around Piazza del Cassero for a better viewing angle.
Costumes & Themes for 2025
Each year, Corinaldo announces a guiding theme for its witch festival. While the 2025 theme hasn’t yet been revealed officially, organizers traditionally build around folklore or fantasy concepts like “Magic and Shadows” or “The Carnival of Spirits.”
Locals take costumes seriously. Expect everything from steampunk witches to fire-juggling demons, and kids in adorable pumpkin suits.
There’s also the legendary Miss Strega pageant half fashion show, half theater where contestants flaunt handmade costumes crafted from recycled fabrics, lights, and makeup that would impress any film crew.
If you want to blend in (and let’s be honest, who doesn’t), black lace, witch hats, glowing staffs, and smoky makeup never fail. For couples or groups, coordinating colors green and purple are big hits make for perfect parade photos.
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Shop Halloween Deals →Entertainment & Highlights
Here’s where Corinaldo stands apart from every other Halloween festival in Italy: it’s immersive. Instead of watching a single parade pass by, visitors roam through dozens of mini-shows scattered around the village.
You’ll encounter:
- Street theater acts telling eerie folk stories.
- Fire dancers performing near the gates.
- DJ sets and live bands in the piazza.
- The Tunnel of Fear, where actors recreate cinematic horror scenes.
- The Transformation Tower, offering makeup sessions to “turn you into a witch.”
Every corner hides a surprise singing skeletons, levitating magicians, puppet shows for kids, and aerial performers swinging from the ancient walls.
The finale on October 31 night usually features fireworks and a countdown to midnight, followed by concerts that run until dawn.
Travel & Accommodation Tips
Corinaldo lies in Italy’s Marche region, roughly halfway between Ancona and Senigallia. The nearest airport is Ancona Falconara (about 35 km away), with regular buses and trains to Senigallia Station, where shuttles and taxis operate to Corinaldo.
Driving is the easiest option if you’re visiting from another Italian city. Free and paid parking zones open outside the town walls during the festival, and free shuttles ferry guests to the gates. Always arrive early the streets close to cars by late afternoon.
For accommodations, nearby Senigallia and Ostra Vetere offer dozens of small hotels and B&Bs, often with Halloween-themed packages. Within Corinaldo itself, rooms sell out months ahead, so booking early is key.
If you prefer something quieter, rural agriturismos in the Marche hills provide cozy stays, often including local wine and pumpkin ravioli for breakfast. Yes, you read that right pumpkin ravioli.
Food & Local Experiences
Half the joy of visiting Corinaldo during Halloween lies in the food stalls and medieval taverns that transform the town into a sensory fairground.
The cobbled lanes fill with vendors serving caldarroste (roasted chestnuts), vin brulé (mulled wine), and pumpkin-based snacks that smell like autumn in every bite.
Local trattorias, especially near Piazza del Terreno and Piazza del Cassero, serve special Halloween menus. Expect pumpkin gnocchi, black truffle risotto, and witch-themed cocktails tinted with edible charcoal or berry syrup.
Many restaurants extend hours into the night so paradegoers can grab dinner before diving back into the festivities.
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Shop Halloween Deals →Beyond the food, nearby Marche towns join the fun. Senigallia often hosts smaller Halloween concerts and beachside bonfires, while Ancona and Pesaro run art exhibitions and costume parties. These satellite events make Corinaldo a great anchor stop for a multi-city Halloween adventure.
Safety & Rules
Corinaldo’s Halloween is wildly theatrical, but it’s also well-organized. The town enforces bag checks at main gates and bans glass bottles, fireworks, and mock weapons that look too realistic. Families will appreciate the large police and volunteer presence ensuring calm crowds.
If you’re bringing kids, early evenings (before 9 p.m.) are calmer and family-friendly. The Tunnel of Fear and late-night DJ areas are recommended for older teens and adults. Pets are allowed but only if leashed just keep in mind the music and pyrotechnics can be overwhelming for animals.
Since the event takes place on steep terrain, it’s smart to wear flat shoes and carry a light jacket. October nights in Marche dip into the low teens Celsius, and mist from the hills makes everything feel spookily cool.
Photography & Social Media Tips
Let’s be honest: half of us go to Corinaldo for the photos. The entire town is an Instagram playground, with torches flickering against brick walls and performers striking cinematic poses.
Here’s what I’ve learned after a few years of shooting festivals:
- Golden hour (4:30–5:30 p.m.) is the sweet spot for portraits.
- The stairway of La Piaggia glows beautifully under lanterns great for wide shots.
- Many areas use smoke effects, so shoot with flash off to avoid haze glare.
- The organizers often promote hashtags like #CorinaldoHalloween and #FestaDelleStreghe, which help your posts reach the official pages.
- Professional camera gear is allowed, but drones require prior permission from the municipality.
If you’re lucky, you might even catch the Miss Strega finalists posing for fans after the contest. It’s a photographer’s treat just ask politely before snapping portraits.
Conclusion
If Halloween had a capital in Italy, it would be Corinaldo. The town manages to feel ancient and theatrical at once an entire community transforming its history into live art. In 2025, with four spectacular nights (October 24–26 and 31), the festival promises bigger crowds, wilder performances, and an atmosphere that’s equal parts folklore and fun.
Whether you’re coming for the costumes, the food, or simply the photos, Corinaldo offers a Halloween you won’t forget. And when midnight fog rolls through the old gates, you’ll understand why locals say the witches never really leave they just wait for next October.
FAQs
Yes. Entry to the town and most shows is free, though a few attractions like the Tunnel of Fear may charge small fees.
Events typically open around 4 p.m. and continue past midnight, with October 31 running until roughly 3 a.m.
Absolutely! Visitors are encouraged to come in costume and walk the alleys freely no official sign-up required.
Yes, though later hours feature louder music and scarier themes. Families should visit earlier in the evening.
Designated parking lots open outside the historic walls, with free shuttle buses running to the gates.
Yes, but they must be on a leash and comfortable with crowds and noise.
The La Piaggia steps and Piazza del Cassero offer fantastic views of performers and fire dancers.