As 2025 comes to an end, Bologna is preparing to experience an unforgettable evening of celebrations to say goodbye to the year that was and welcome the new. Like every year, the city is transformed into a stage for events ranging from concerts to theatres, from discos to outdoor shows, with the usual appointment with the burning of the Vecchione, one of the most awaited and symbolic moments of New Year’s Eve.
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The symbolic fire then the DJ set
The beating heart of the New Year’s Eve celebrations will be, as always, Piazza Maggiore, where the Old Man will come to life to symbolically burn the ugliness of the past year. This year’s work, “Oviparous Gremlin”, was designed by the artist Marco Barbieri, better known as Dem. Gremlins, mythical creatures from folklore and cinema of the 1980s, represent the evil of contemporary conflicts, and this year they are burned to make room for the hope of a peaceful future. After the traditional fire, the Crescentone will be transformed into a gigantic dance floor with DJ sets by La Funky and Bassi Maestro, ready to unleash the crowd with music that crosses genres such as funk, disco, house and hip hop, until the dawn of the new year.
Barrels and glass ordinance
To ensure peaceful celebrations and protect the safety of citizens, animals and monumental heritage, Mayor Matteo Lepore signed the two key ordinances that will regulate the Christmas holidays and, specifically, during New Year’s Eve.
The first measure concerns the fight against the use of pyrotechnic material. The ban on setting off firecrackers, firecrackers and fireworks will come into force at 12:00 on Wednesday 24 December and will remain valid until 7:00 on 7 January 2026.
The provision does not only affect public places, but also extends to private areas (such as balconies and gardens) if the outbreak could have repercussions on spaces for public use.
For the night of December 31st, the focus shifts to the heart of the city: from 6:00 pm on the day before until 8:00 am on January 1st, there will be an absolute ban on the sale for takeaway and outdoor serving of any drink in glass or cans.
Atmospheres of other times
For those who love atmospheres of times gone by, however, in one of the most beautiful historical halls in Italy, the Salone del Podestà of Palazzo Re Enzo, the nineteenth-century Grand Ball returns with the participation of 300/400 dancers from the Dance Society from all over Italy in nineteenth-century dress. The Master of Ceremony will be the President of the National Dance Society Federation, Fabio Mollica, of which the Bologna club is part. The dancers will revive the fascinating atmosphere of the social parties of the time, dancing quadrilles, waltzes, contradances, mazurkas and polkas to the music of great Italian and foreign composers such as Verdi and Strauss.
Celebrate at the theater
Not just parties in the square, music and dancing. There is also a rich offer at the theatre. For those looking for an evening of laughter, you can’t miss Giuseppe Giacobazzi’s show at the EuropAuditorium Theatre. “New Year’s Eve Great Variety” promises an evening full of comedy, unpublished monologues and musical gags, with the comedian from Bologna who, accompanied by Andrea Vasumi and the music of I Masa, will provide an hour of laughter and fun. At midnight, there will be a toast in the theater foyer, a convivial moment to share with the artists.
For those who want to go back in time and relive the magic of the 80s, the “Grand New Year’s Eve Gala” will be staged at the Duse Theatre. A musical and visual journey through fluorescent colors, teased hair, and songs that have marked an entire generation. With a show that includes live performances, dancing and laughter, the theater will be transformed into a true homage to the golden years of pop music, from Duran Duran to Wham! Parties, laughter and toasts will complete the festive atmosphere.
The images of last year’s New Year’s Eve in Piazza Maggiore | VIDEO
Another unmissable proposal is the fantastic contemporary circus show “Six” by the Canadian company Flip Fabrique at the Arena del Sole. An acrobatic comedy that will transport the audience on a surreal adventure, with breathtaking acrobatic feats, gags and comical characters. A unique experience, where ingenuity and magic mix to create an enchanted atmosphere that will accompany spectators until midnight.
For those who prefer a more intimate but no less spectacular evening, the Dehon theater offers “Eat me Eat me!”. A gastronomic comedy that tells the misadventures of a starred chef, forced to prepare an extraordinary dish for an implacable rival. Laughter, gags and twists in a surreal atmosphere, for an absolutely unforgettable New Year’s Eve.
For a family evening, the show “Welcome to the Morandi house” will be held at the Consorziale Theater in Budrio, a comedy that traces the life of two artistic brothers who relive their childhood memories and the affection for the nanny who raised them. A mix of laughter, nostalgia and emotions that will make those present experience an evening full of smiles and reflections.
In Imola, the Ebe Stignani Theater hosts “New Year in all senses”, a comic monologue by Maria Pia Timo, while at the Manifatture Arci the dinner “As long as the night resists” will be held, with music, games and lots of joy to welcome the new year in company.
New Year’s Eve at the cinema and at the disco
If you are a cinema lover, there is nothing better than celebrating New Year’s Eve at Cinema Modernissimo with Ciro Ippolito and his legendary film “Arrapaho”. The 1984 cult film, one of the films most loved by fans of Italian trash cinema, will be screened together with a midnight toast to greet the new year. A special evening that promises to be full of nostalgia and fun.
Again for lovers of the big screen, UCI Cinemas Meridiana offers a series of special screenings with a reduced rate of €6.90 from 9pm on 31 December. The public will be able to watch preview films, such as Paolo Sorrentino’s new work, “La Grazia”, and have fun with special activities dedicated to the little ones, such as the screening of “SpongeBob: A Pirate Adventure”.
If your idea of New Year’s Eve is a night of pure rock energy, the Covo Club will host “The original Nye Rock Party with Laguna Bollente”. The Italian garage punk duo will perform to light up the night with a mix of indie, punk, pop, new wave and rock. A wild and unbridled party, for those who want to celebrate the new year with the right amount of energy and distortion.
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