Millenary Naples, events to celebrate the 2500 years of the city. The program

Naples celebrates its 2500 years of history with a rich program of events that will develop throughout the 2025. The event will involve cultural institutions, museums, theatres and public spaces, offering a journey through the historical, artistic and identity heritage of the city. Promoted by City of Naples in collaboration with over 80 entities, Millenary Naples represents a unique opportunity to rediscover the past and look to the future with a series of engaging and inclusive initiatives.

The initiative

The aim of Millenary Naples is to transform the city into a large widespread stage, where culture, innovation and tradition intertwine. Through theatrical performances, concerts, exhibitions and artistic performances, the project aims to enhance the city's heritage and create opportunities for citizens, visitors and artists to meet. The active participation of local institutions and cultural associations guarantees a varied and accessible programming for all.

The program

The celebrations include events of great importance, with theatrical performances, unpublished exhibitions and musical reviews which will give voice to the cultural richness of Naples. The San Carlo Theatre, Capodimonte Museum and Royal Palace will be some of the symbolic places that will host events dedicated to the history and identity of the city.

There will be no shortage of outdoor initiatives, with independent festivals, urban installations and concerts that will animate the most characteristic squares and neighborhoods. Historical memory will be another central element of the program, with documentary exhibitions and thematic itineraries through archives and libraries.

March 25, 2025 – San Carlo Theater (Naples Millionaire)
Inauguration of the celebrations with the screening of “Su il sipario” and the intervention of the De Filippo family.
April 17 – May 4, 2025 – Naples (various locations)
First edition of the Napoli Fringe Fest, with presentation of the calendar and call for entries dedicated to the performing arts.
From April 17th to December 28th 2025 – City route
“The Mile of Memory”: exhibition of archive documents, guided tours, shows and concerts along the historical route of the city.
March 3, 2025 – Royal Palace (Naples)
“King of Light for a tale of centuries of history”: guided tours and artistic lighting of the façade of the Royal Palace.
March – December 2025 – From MANN to Capodimonte
Museum initiatives “Museums for Naples2500”, which include the re-installation at the MANN and the new section “The Year of Porcelains” at Capodimonte.
April 29, 2025 – Piazza del Plebiscito (Naples)
International Dance Day with open class of the Ballet School of the Teatro di San Carlo and registrations for young talents.
April 2025 – Debut at the Milan Triennale
“VELE” – Documentary film on the Vele of Scampia, in collaboration with Cattleya and Sky, with subsequent screening at the Architecture Biennale.
From May 2025 to January 2026 – Chiostro del Platano (Naples)
“Ti racconto Napoli”: an archival and educational journey that displays original documents and tells the story of the city.
June 8, 2025 – Palazzo Fuga (Naples)
Event dedicated to the Real Albergo dei Poveri, as part of the celebrations.
From 21 June to 5 July 2025 – Port of Naples and Faro
“Roots and Migrations”: walks and performances that connect the Naples Lighthouse to a journey through time, with narration by Eugenio Bennato.
June 21, 2025 – Naples (urban routes)
“APP Sirena – Naples-Paris-Buenos Aires-New York”: the city is transformed into an open-air jukebox thanks to an app that tells the story of Neapolitan music.
July 2025 – Mercadante Theatre (Naples)
“Pinocchio by Davice Iodice”: event linked to the UBU Theatre Award 2024.
From July 27th to August 2nd 2025 – RAP and Pompeii Archaeological Park
“Alice allo Specchio”: a new creation that combines art and social inclusion, telling the story of Pompeii and the Albergo dei Poveri.
From September 18, 2025 to January 2026 – Real Albergo dei Poveri (Naples)
“Rap sotto le Stelle”: a performative journey that celebrates Neapolitan cinema and history, with the production of a cartoon about Neapolis.
Next to it, “Futuro Quotidiano” – an installation of the finds from the RAP, enriched by historical photographs.
October 2025 – San Carlo Theatre (Naples)
“Assunta Spina”: new contemporary theatre production, revisiting the classic work by Salvatore Di Giacomo, with a preview open to the city.
October 9, 10 and 12, 2025 – Teatro di San Carlo (Naples)
International Opera Competition “Enrico Caruso”: a competition that brings together institutions and professionals in the sector at a global level.
October 2025 – Memus Museum, San Carlo Theatre (Naples)
Exhibition dedicated to Roberto De Simone, with documents, photographs, costumes and unpublished recordings.
December 12 and 14, 2025 – Teatro di San Carlo (Naples)
World premiere of “Partenope” – the new musical work by Ennio Morricone, accompanied by an artistic installation by Vanessa Beecroft.
October 24, 2025 – Monumental Complex of Girolamini (Naples)
“The Virgin of the Roses – Alessandro Scarlatti 300 years after his death”: homage to the composer with performance of the oratorio “The Garden of Roses” and international conference.
From 21 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 – Naples (various locations)
Final review “Happy Birthday Neapolis”: two weeks dedicated to the celebration of the 2500 years of the city.

Here the complete program.

When it starts and when it ends

The celebrations of Millenary Naples will start on 25 March 2025, with the inaugural event at Teatro di San Carlo, and will continue throughout the year with a busy schedule of events. The program will end on 6 January 2026, with the final review “Happy Birthday Neapolis”, which will officially close the celebrations with a series of special events dedicated to the city and its history.