Italian Port Days 2026 is running throughout October with a packed programme. Following the events that have already taken place on 2nd and 4th October, the initiatives organized by the North Tyrrhenian Port Network Authority (PNA) will continue until 26th October with a series of events designed to introduce members of the public, students and visitors to the history, culture and transformations of the port world.
The October programme confirms that Italian Port Days is much more than just an initiative dedicated to ports: it is a journey that connects the past with the future, culture with work, and the sea with the community, opening up the port areas and themes to the local public.
The October program kicked off on Friday 2nd October in Livorno’s Old Fortress with two events dedicated to learning about and reflecting on the maritime and port industries.
At 10.30 am, in the Ferretti Conference Hal, a presentation was held for the PNA’s ‘Quaderni di Logistica’ series, featuring the volume ‘Il porto che volevamo. 30 anni di visioni, scelte e trasformazioni’ (‘The Port We Wanted: 30 Years of Visions, Choices and Transformations,’) edited by A. Tarabella from the Department of Economics and Management at the University of Pisa. It was an opportunity to look back over three decades of transformation and consider the future prospects of the port system.
In the afternoon, at 5 pm, the F. Guerrazzi Municipal Library hosted the launch of the book ‘Mari in guerra’ (‘Seas at War’)by A. Pappalardo, organized by ANPPIA Livorno
Two events that have brought the relationship between ports, history and major transformations back to the forefront of the Italian Port Days initiative.
On Sunday 4th October, another initiative linked to the region’s most deeply-rooted traditions took place: Ottobrata, the festival dedicated to the Madonna di Montenero, who sailors and local residents pray to when they look out to sea. Organized by Pro Loco ViviMontenero APS, it took place at 4.00 pm in Piazza delle Carrozze in Montenero, marking a moment when folk tradition, local identity and maritime culture once again came together.
After these initial events, the Italian Port Days programme continues with a series of initiatives that will keep the public entertained throughout the month.
Among the most eagerly awaited events are the guided tours of the Livorno Lighthouse, organized in collaboration with Marifari La Spezia-Marina Militare and the Il Mondo dei Fari association- On 9th October, from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, and on 10th October, with two visits from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm and from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm, visitors will be able to explore one of the landmarks symbolizing the relationship between Livorno and the sea.
The event will offer the chance to learn more about the history and function of the lighthouse, in a place that is not normally open to the public. Booking is compulsory on the Eventbrite platform listed in the Italian Port Days programme.
Also on 10th October, at 3.30 pm, the Old Fortress will host ‘Sorella Acqua’ in the Sala Canaviglia. This event is part of the sixth edition of the perPIANO Festival, organized by the Livorno Classica association. Music once again becomes one of the key forms of expression at Italian Port Days, bringing to the port’s historic locations opportunities for socializing that bring together heritage, art and contemporary culture.
A great deal of attention is also paid to training and the younger generation.
On Monday 12th October, at the Old Fortress, the ‘Erasmus Days in Fortezza – Il Futuro delle professioni del mare’ (‘Erasmus Days at the Fortress – The Future of Maritime Professions’) initiative is set to take place. It has been organized by the Local Education Authority, the Portoferraio Municipality and the INDIRE/Erasmus+ National Agency. The event, starting at 9.30 am, will focus on career prospects in the maritime sector and the need to prepare the younger generation for the changes currently taking place in the maritime and port industries.
The programme continues on Wednesday 14th October in Piombino, with ‘Erasmus Days Piombino – Il futuro delle professioni del mare,’ (‘Erasmus Days Piombino – The Future of Maritime Professions’), at 9.30 am at Istituto Comprensivo 1.
On Thursday 15th October, once again at Livorno’s Old Fortress, the Italian Port Days will host ‘Giocatela bene. Il futuro si gioca adesso. Stili di vita sani per andare forte!’ (‘Play it right. The future is being played out now. Healthy lifestyles to keep you going strong!’) The one-day event, organized by USL Toscana Nord Ovest, USP and Livorno Prefecture, will begin at 8.30 am. It addresses healthy lifestyles and prevention, engaging the public in an initiative that extends the meaning of “open port” to include health and quality of life.
Saturday 17th October will be dedicated to music and artistic experimentation. At 5 pm, in the Old Fortress’ Sala Canaviglia, the programme features ‘La Musica del Cuore’ (‘Music of the heart’), again as part of the perPIANO Festival.
At 6 pm, the spotlight will shift to the Magazzini Generali, where “Lady Buffer” by John Cascone and Jacopo Natoli will be staged. – The performance brings together dance, music and multimedia sets. It is one of the festival’s most original contributions: the port is not only a place of work and transit, but also a location for cultural and artistic experimentation.
On 23rd October, Livorno will be at the centre of the national debate on the cruise industry with Italian Cruise Day 2026, the forum on the Italian cruise industry organised by Risposte Turismo in collaboration with the North Tyrrhenian PNA and Porto di Livorno 2000. The initiative is set to start at 9.00 am at the Cruise Terminal. It is one of the most important professional events on the entire autumn calendar.
On Saturday 24 October, at 6.00 pm, the Magazzini Generali will be the setting for the opening of the contemporary art group exhibition ‘Coordinate 7. Nepantla,’ accompanied by an evening concert. A new encounter between the heritage of the port areas and contemporary artistic expression, embodying the fusion of sea, culture and creativity that characterizes Italian Port Days.
The Italian Port Days 2026 programme draws to a close on Monday 26th October with ‘All aboard!’, an educational day organised by CLIA – Cruise Lines International Association – with the support of MSC Cruises and the Port Network Authority.
The event, scheduled for 10.00 am at Livorno’s Benci-Borsi Primary School, will bring the cruise world and maritime professions into the school context, directly involving the younger generation.
With events already held and others still to come, Italian Port Days 2026 confirms just how important it is to showcase the port through different forms of expression and to create tangible opportunities for the local community to interact with the maritime world. From books to music, from visits to the lighthouse to training, from contemporary art to the cruise industry, the programme highlights the richness and complexity of a port system that is not merely about infrastructure and logistics, but also encompasses history, culture, employment, training and the identity of its urban contexts.
Translation by Giles Foster
