What to do in Naples and Campania this weekend: events from October 2nd to 4th

What to do in Naples this weekend? From October 2 to 4, 2026, the capital of Campania and several towns in the region offer a packed calendar of events, including culture, music, shows, motoring, guided tours, and museums. It's the first weekend of October, and among the most anticipated events are the eighth edition of Open House Napoli , the Campania Libri Festival , the Spinacorona musical events , the Napoli Overdrive Festival, and the premiere of SereNata in Napoli with Serena Rossi.

Making Sunday even more interesting is the return of Sunday at the Museum , with free entry to participating state museums and archaeological parks.

Open House Naples: three days to discover the city

Among the weekend's highlights is undoubtedly Open House Napoli , scheduled for October 2nd to 4th. Now in its eighth year, the festival features over 150 events including historic buildings, contemporary architecture, private homes, construction sites, urban itineraries, and locations not normally accessible to the public.

New for 2026 is Sconfinamenti , a section that extends the festival beyond the center of Naples, with initiatives dedicated specifically to the Phlegraean Fields . The program includes visits and tours exploring archaeology, nature, architecture, and the transformation of the area.

Among the weekend's events is also the path dedicated to "Women's Architecture in Naples" , scheduled for October 3 and 4, which recounts the contribution of various female professionals to the transformation of the city during the twentieth century.

For families and children, there is also the OHN Kids Village at La Santissima Community Hub, with workshops, creative activities and the “Naples in Bricks” exhibition.

Open House Napoli tours are free, but for many events, please check the official program for details on how to participate and make a reservation.

Campania Books Festival at the Royal Palace

The weekend also offers an event dedicated to book lovers. From October 1st to 4th, the Royal Palace of Naples hosts the fifth edition of the Campania Libri Festival , the publishing fair that this year pays tribute to Roberto De Simone and the 50th anniversary of La gatta Cenerentola.

The program includes approximately 300 events , featuring over 100 publishing houses and numerous meetings, panels, presentations, performances, and workshops. The theme chosen for this edition is "Jesce sole," an ancient propitiatory chant from the Neapolitan tradition.

The festival thus represents an opportunity to spend the weekend in the heart of Naples, alternating cultural events, reading, and a visit to one of the city's iconic sites.

During the event, festival visitors will also receive a 50% discount on the standard ticket to the Palazzo Reale Museum, according to the methods indicated by the organizers.

Naples Overdrive Festival at the Centro Direzionale

For those looking for something completely different, from 2 to 4 October the Napoli Overdrive Festival , an event dedicated to the world of motors, returns to the Centro Direzionale .

For three days, the Centro Direzionale becomes the setting for exhibitions of supercars, classic cars, and motorcycles, along with shows, rallies, road safety activities, and entertainment.

The cars on display also include Ferrari, Lamborghini, Porsche, Aston Martin and Lotus, while the program includes performances by international stuntmen.

The event kicks off on the morning of Friday, October 2nd, with activities dedicated to safe driving and talks on technology applied to road safety. Music will also be featured in the evening. On Sunday, the program culminates with the "Tour Exclusive" car parade.

Free admission.

Free music in the historic center with Spinacorona

The weekend of October 2, 3, and 4 also brings to Naples the tenth edition of Spinacorona – Neapolitan Musical Walks , the festival conceived and directed by maestro Michele Campanella.

The formula remains the same as that which has characterized the festival: classical music leaves the traditional auditoriums and meets some of the churches and historic sites in the center of Naples. The 2026 edition is dedicated to Ludwig van Beethoven.

The events are held at various locations in the historic center.

On Friday, October 2nd , events include a meeting at the University Library of Naples at 18 pm and a concert at the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata Maggiore at 21 pm.

On Saturday, October 3, music will be performed at the Church of Santa Maria di Costantinopoli at 12 noon, at the Church of San Giovanni a Carbonara at 17 pm, at the Church of Sant'Eligio Maggiore at 19 pm, and at the Church of the Holy Apostles at 21 pm.

On Sunday 4 October , concerts are scheduled at 12 pm in the Church of San Giovanni a Mare, at 17 pm in the Church of San Pietro a Majella, at 19 pm in the Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini and at 21 pm again in the Basilica della Santissima Annunziata Maggiore.

Admission is free until capacity is reached , and reservations are not required. The venues open approximately 30 minutes before the performances.

Serena Rossi brings "SereNata a Napoli" to the Diana Theater

For those who prefer theatre and music, the show “SereNata a Napoli” with Serena Rossi starts on 2 October at the Teatro Diana.

The show inaugurates the new season at the Teatro del Vomero and will run until October 18th, with 13 performances. It focuses on Naples, its music, and its stories, told through song and storytelling.

This is an event particularly linked to the Neapolitan musical tradition and can be an alternative for those looking for what to do in Naples on Friday evening.

Biagio Antonacci in Pompeii

The first weekend of October also brings a major musical event to the archaeological area of ​​Pompeii.

Biagio Antonacci will be in concert at the Teatro Grande in Pompeii on Friday 2nd, Saturday 3rd and Sunday 4th October at 21pm, as part of his “Unplugged 2026” tour.

The three dates are part of a long series of concerts the artist is bringing to the ancient Pompeii arena. The event is free and admission is by ticket.

For those looking for events in Campania this weekend , Pompeii represents one of the most important musical events of the weekend.

Sunday, October 4th: Free Museum Admission in Naples and Campania

Finally, Sunday offers one of the most interesting opportunities for those who want to dedicate the day to culture: on October 4th, Sunday at the Museum returns , the initiative that provides free entry to participating state museums and archaeological parks.

In Naples, the participating institutions include the Royal Palace, the National Archaeological Museum, the Museum and Royal Wood of Capodimonte, Castel Sant'Elmo, the Certosa and Museum of San Martino, Villa Floridiana and the Pignatelli Museum.

The initiative also extends to the rest of Campania, including some of the region's major archaeological sites. These include Pompeii, Herculaneum, the Phlegraean Fields, and the Royal Palace of Caserta.

Before planning your visit, it's advisable to check the access rules for each site, as some may require reservations or require restrictions.

Sunday at the Museum also in Pompeii

In Pompeii, October 4th will be enriched with initiatives dedicated to families and visitors. The program also includes activities using augmented reality and 3D reconstructions , a yoga program in the archaeological area, and events related to the new children's section of the Giuseppe Fiorelli Library.

What to do in Naples and Campania from October 2nd to 4th

The first weekend in October offers a variety of options, from a major architecture festival to free museum visits, books, concerts, theater, and motoring.

For those who want to stay in Naples, Open House Napoli, the Campania Libri Festival, Spinacorona, and Overdrive Festival concentrate most of their events in the city. Those who prefer to travel further afield can choose Pompeii, with a Biagio Antonacci concert and Sunday at the Museum, or take advantage of the Open House events in the Phlegraean Fields.

A weekend with a particularly varied schedule and several opportunities to experience Naples and Campania through culture, music, and entertainment.