New Year's Eve in Riccione 2026/27: squares, clubs and the New Year's Day dip
How New Year's Eve is celebrated in Riccione, Misano and Cattolica: the party in Piazzale Ceccarini, club nights, the sea dip on 1 January and practical tips for planning your trip.
Riccione is one of Italy’s most popular New Year’s Eve destinations: a party in the square, the riviera’s clubs opening for the longest night of the year and, the morning after, a group dip in the sea. Hotels open in winter fill up fast, so it pays to plan early.
The official programme for New Year 2026/27 has not been announced yet: we will update this guide as soon as the town council and organisers publish artists, times and regulations. The notes below describe how the celebration traditionally works.
The party in the square
The heart of the celebration is Piazzale Ceccarini, at the end of the boulevard of the same name: in recent editions the town set up a stage with music and shows up to the midnight countdown. Entry is free, but recent years have seen controlled access and bans on glass and fireworks in the party area: check the council’s regulations before heading out.
The clubs
Several legendary riviera clubs reopen for the night of the 31st, with dinners, DJs and parties until dawn. Dates, prices and presales change every year: you’ll find the venues in our Nightlife section, each with a link to its website.
The New Year’s Day dip
On 1 January tradition calls for the New Year’s Day dip: in recent editions people met in the late morning around Piazzale Roma, with music and a toast on the beach. Cattolica holds its own New Year dip too, while Misano Adriatico waits for Epiphany with the Befana dip.
Cattolica and Misano
In Cattolica New Year’s Eve is traditionally celebrated in Piazza Roosevelt, a stone’s throw from the sea. Misano, Riccione and Cattolica are only a few minutes apart.
Practical tips
- Book early: fewer hotels and restaurants are open in late December than in summer, and they often fill up by November.
- Leave the car: on the evening of the 31st the centre is closed to traffic and nearby car parks fill quickly. The Metromare links Rimini and Riccione along the coast.
- Dress in layers: by the sea at midnight temperatures often drop close to freezing.
- Check the regulations: glass, fireworks and takeaway alcohol are often banned in the party areas.
For travel by train, car or plane, read our guide Getting to Riccione.
