Out of more than 91,000 total businesses in the province, about 13% are foreign-run, beating both regional and national averages. And while many Italian-led businesses have dipped since the pandemic, foreign-owned companies in Verona have actually grown by 3.6%.

As Giuseppe Riello, president of Verona’s Chamber of Commerce, puts it, Verona is “a healthy economy that attracts investment from all over the world.” With almost a quarter of all foreign companies in Veneto based here, it’s clear Verona is more than just a cultural gem—it’s a thriving business hub. Even more impressive? Over 14% of these companies are run by people under 35, adding a youthful, dynamic energy to the city.

More Companies Opening Than Closing

Foreign businesses in Verona are booming. In 2024 alone, 1,543 new international firms opened shop (that’s a 6.3% jump from 2023), while only 773 closed—leaving a healthy surplus. Their “birth rate” (yes, that’s a thing in business stats!) is more than double that of local companies.

Where Are Foreign Entrepreneurs Investing?

Foreign entrepreneurs are getting involved in all sorts of industries:

• Non-EU entrepreneurs are mostly in retail and trade (2,258 companies)
• EU entrepreneurs are strong in construction (1,080 companies, nearly 40% of the total)
• The agriculture sector is on the rise—especially among newcomers

Some industries, like trade, did see a small dip (down 107 businesses), but others like personal services and farming are growing steadily. And of course, a city know for it’s wine festivals like the famous yearly Vinitaly Festival, it’s no surprise that many of the investments are in the wine sector.

Who Are These Entrepreneurs?

Most foreign-run businesses in Verona (nearly 68%) are sole proprietorships, though larger companies are increasing too. Women make up about a quarter of foreign entrepreneurs—mainly in services and retail—and young people under 35 are leading over 1,700 businesses, especially in construction.

A big part of this international energy comes from the artisan world—around 37% of foreign businesses are registered artisans, with construction being the top craft.

The Biggest Foreign Communities in Business

At the end of 2024, over 16,000 people born abroad were playing active roles in Verona’s business scene, from owners to directors. The top three nationalities?

1. Romanians – 2,422 roles
2. Moroccans – 1,804 roles
3. Chinese – 1,399 roles

Romanians and Albanians dominate in construction, while trade sees a vibrant mix of Nigerian, Moroccan, and Chinese entrepreneurs.

Agriculture: The New Frontier

One of the most fascinating shifts? Foreign entrepreneurship in Verona’s agricultural sector is booming. In 2024, farming climbed to fourth place among sectors chosen by non-EU entrepreneurs.

Indian entrepreneurs are leading this green wave, especially from Punjab, a region known for its farming roots. You’ll even spot a cultural touch in the business names—many include “Singh” (lion) and “Kaur” (princess), traditional Sikh surnames that highlight how deeply rooted these communities are becoming.

Moroccans aren’t far behind, with strong and steady growth in farming businesses, and there are also new ventures popping up from entrepreneurs from Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Brazil, and Albania, plus EU countries like Romania and Germany.

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Arena di Verona
The iconic Arena will welcome visitors from December 7, 2024, to January 12, 2025, despite ongoing restoration work for the 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will be open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with closures on December 25 and January 1. A special opening is planned for January 6.

Arche Scaligere
These Gothic monuments will be accessible every Saturday and Sunday through December 29, 2024. Hours are 10:00–13:00 and 14:00–18:00, with last entry 15 minutes before closing.

Casa di Giulietta (Juliet’s House)
From December 7, 2024, to January 6, 2025, Juliet’s House will offer a magical experience for fans of Shakespeare and history. Access is via Teatro Nuovo in Piazzetta Navona. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00–19:00 (closed Mondays, December 25, and January 1), with additional openings on December 23, 30, and January 6. Don’t miss two exhibitions: Giulietta e Romeo by Cosroe Dusi and Romeo e Giulietta. L’incontro, il bacio, showcasing vintage postcards. Tickets are sold exclusively online.

Galleria d’Arte Moderna Achille Forti (Modern Art Gallery)
Located in Cortile Mercato Vecchio, the gallery is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30). Closed on Mondays, December 25, and January 1, but open on January 6. Current exhibitions include Mario Merz: Il numero è un animale vivente, Soundborders by Jacopo Mazzonelli, The Breath of Nature | ARIA, and Passions and Visions.

Museo Archeologico al Teatro Romano (Archaeological Museum)
Explore Verona’s ancient past at this museum, open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30). It’s closed on Mondays, December 25, and January 1, with a special opening on January 6. Key exhibits include Cavalli e Gladiatori by Giorgio de Chirico (ends December 15, 2024) and Terracotta Images.

Museo degli Affreschi G.B. Cavalcaselle (Fresco Museum at Juliet’s Tomb)
Celebrate fresco art and Verona’s connection to Romeo and Juliet. Open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:30), with a special opening on January 6. The exhibition Scacchi d’amore runs until January 6, 2025.

Museo di Castelvecchio
This medieval treasure is open Tuesday to Sunday, 10:00–18:00 (last entry 17:15). Closed on Mondays, December 25, and January 1, but open on January 6.

Practical Information
Tickets for most museums are available online at museiverona.com. Advance purchase is required for Casa di Giulietta and Museo Lapidario Maffeiano, as on-site ticketing is unavailable.

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Verona’s beloved Christmas icon, the comet star, is making its long-awaited return to Piazza Bra after a two-year hiatus. This year, it features a modern twist: instead of its traditional tail, mirrors and lights will project one, adding a fresh, contemporary touch to the holiday display.

Assembly began yesterday with the star’s main body, and the full structure, including its iconic pointed design, will be completed in the coming days. Visitors can also explore its history and significance through informational panels accompanying the exhibit.

What’s the deal with the Comet Star in Verona?

Designed by Rinaldo Olivieri in 1984 and inspired by Alfredo Troisi’s vision, it was created to complement the nativity scene in Verona’s Arena. Its breathtaking design quickly captured hearts, becoming a symbol of Christmas for locals and tourists alike. Standing 70 meters tall, 82 meters long, and weighing 80 tonnes, this steel masterpiece is secured by 2,500 bolts and holds the Guinness World Record as the largest architectural star in the world.

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Verona has earned the distinguished title of “International City of Vine and Wine,” a recognition granted by the International Organization of Vine and Wine (OIV) in honor of the city’s vital contributions to global viticulture and enology.

The official announcement will take place on November 29 in Dijon, France, during the OIV’s centenary closing ceremony. Verona’s mayor, Damiano Tommasi, will present a video highlighting the city’s rich historical and cultural ties to the wine industry. This production also marks Verona’s membership in the OIV’s Network of International Cities of Vine and Wine, a program being relaunched this year to spotlight cities that have significantly advanced the organization’s mission.

A Regional Milestone

Verona’s recognition underscores the Veneto region’s leadership in wine production and exports. The OIV, representing 50 member states and covering 87% of global wine production and 71% of consumption, hailed Verona as a global symbol of viticulture. This accolade follows the city’s successful hosting of the OIV Wine Ministerial Meeting in April, boosting pride across the region.

Home to world-renowned wines like Prosecco, Amarone, and Soave, Veneto leads Italy in wine production and exports. Verona’s prominence is further celebrated through its annual Vinitaly Fair, which in 2024 drew over 70,000 attendees, 4,000 wineries, and buyers from 65 countries, cementing its status as a global wine capital.

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The 2025 Arena di Verona Opera Festival is set to deliver an exceptional season, showcasing celebrated talents and special tributes. Starting with a new production of Nabucco on June 13 and 14, the season features five beloved operas, eight gala events, and dance performances, amounting to 51 dazzling nights of music and drama. This year, the festival marks the 150th anniversary of Carmen, honoring Georges Bizet, and celebrates 30 years of Franco Zeffirelli’s iconic production at the Verona Arena.

The lineup includes 100 performers, from renowned figures like Anna Netrebko, Jonas Kaufmann, and Nadine Sierra, to emerging talents like Angel Blue and Pene Pati. Acclaimed conductors such as Pinchas Steinberg, Andrea Battistoni, Francesco Ivan Ciampa, and Speranza Scappucci will lead the Fondazione Arena orchestra and chorus.

Opera Highlights of the 2025 Season

Nabucco
Opening on June 13 and 14, Nabucco returns with a fresh production by Stefano Poda, acclaimed for his direction of Aida in 2023. Baritone Amartuvshin Enkhbat stars with conductor Pinchas Steinberg, and Anna Netrebko makes her Italian debut as Abigaille, alongside Roberto Tagliavini, Francesco Meli, and Vasilisa Berzhanskaya.

Aida
From June 20 to September 4, Aida, the “Queen” of Arena operas, will showcase talents like Maria José Siri, Brian Jagde, and Marina Rebeka under Daniel Oren’s direction, joined by Anna Netrebko, Ludovic Tézier, and Gregory Kunde.

La Traviata
Running from June 27 to August 2, La Traviata will captivate audiences with Hugo De Ana’s lavish staging. Directed by Speranza Scappucci, American soprano Angel Blue debuts as Violetta, with Rosa Feola and Nadine Sierra also performing.

Carmen
Opening on July 4, Carmen will commemorate both Bizet’s legacy and Zeffirelli’s celebrated Arena production, led by Francesco Ivan Ciampa. Aigul Akhmetshina, Aleksandra Kurzak, and Roberto Alagna are featured, supported by over 500 performers.

Rigoletto
Verdi’s Rigoletto runs from August 8 to September 6, showcasing Ettore Fagiuoli’s classic 1928 set design. Directed by Michele Spotti, the cast includes Nadine Sierra, Erin Morley, and Pene Pati, breathing life into Verdi’s timeless masterpiece.

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In the U.S., Italian sparkling wines have overtaken French ones in both volume and value for the first time. This shift, revealed just before the Vinitaly.USA event in Chicago (Oct 20-21, 2024), comes from an analysis by the UIV-Vinitaly Observatory based on SipSource data from August. The report will be presented at the first U.S. event dedicated entirely to Italian wines. Italian sparkling wines now hold 35% of the market, compared to 31% for French wines and 28% for American brands.

The Observatory attributes this milestone mainly to the continued rise of Prosecco, which has now surpassed Champagne in market share (28% versus 26%). The popularity of Prosecco has boosted the entire category of Italian sparkling wines, now representing 37% of Italy’s wine sales in the U.S. (35% by volume). Between January and August, Italian sparkling wines were the only ones to see an increase in sales (+1.5%), while the overall sparkling wine market fell by 13%. Even in the Prosecco vs. Champagne showdown, Prosecco has maintained a clear lead in 2024, with sales up 2.2% while Champagne saw a decline of 15.3%.

The upcoming Vinitaly.USA event at Chicago’s Navy Pier will feature over 230 exhibitors across 13,000 square meters, offering more than 1,650 labels for tasting. “We expect a lot from this fair,” said Veronafiere CEO Maurizio Danese, “and so do the 230 Italian companies joining us. Facilitating business is the priority now, and we believe Vinitaly.USA can become the premier trade event for this market, helping to attract more operators to Vinitaly Verona.”

Vinitaly.USA, in partnership with the Italian Trade Agency (ITA), is also dedicating significant time to market discussions with a two-day Wine Business Forum. Last year, Italian sparkling wine sales reached 936 million bottles globally. Over the past decade, Italian sparkling wine exports to the U.S. have tripled in value, rising 351% to nearly €500 million in 2023.

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The seven participants—Silvia Cepeleaga, Giorgio Gagliardi, Angela Gianesella, Mattia Grella, Paolo Lizziero, Maurizio Turra, and Laura Veronesi—selected their own subjects and approaches to capture different aspects of life in Verona, producing striking images that highlight both the city’s people and its landscape.

The exhibition is open to the public for free at the Agsm Aim customer lounge (lungadige Galtarossa, 8) and can be visited Monday through Thursday (7:45 AM to 4 PM), Friday (7:45 AM to 1 PM), and Saturday (8:30 AM to 1 PM).

Exhibition Details

The exhibition route blends Verona’s architectural and historical sites with natural views of the Adige River and the nearby town of Montorio, known for its spring waters. It also features studio portraits of a model, a bronze statue of Cangrande della Scala, and a fruit basket that echoes the style of Caravaggio.

Accessibility has been a priority for both the photography process and the exhibition. Traditional prints are paired with tactile lithophanes, which allow viewers to experience the images through touch. Some objects are also reproduced with 3D printing. Additionally, QR codes provide visitors with audio descriptions of the project.

Making the Invisible Visible

“When we were approached to support this project, we initially wondered how blind and visually impaired individuals could participate in a photography course… Once we understood the significance of the initiative, we were eager to get involved. Thanks to Agsm Aim’s backing, the participants not only learned photography basics but can also ‘see’ their work through the tactile lithophane prints we helped create”

-Federico Testa, president of the Agsm Aim Group

“In the summer of 2023, I delved into how visually impaired and blind individuals perceive the world,” said course leader and exhibition curator Sergio Maria Visciano. “I found that their other senses often compensate in remarkable ways. My challenge became figuring out how to make the invisible visible. Using lessons, podcasts, practical exercises, and tactile models, we guided the participants in developing their own photography projects. The results exceeded expectations, with the participants demonstrating a strong intuitive grasp and technical skills.”

Overcoming the Impossible

“Even though I’ve learned a lot, I feel there’s still much more to discover in photography, and I hope there will be more courses like this,” said Silvia Cepeleaga, vice president of UICI Verona. “This journey has boosted my confidence as a photographer. Now, whenever I see a landscape, I imagine how I’d capture it. Through this exhibition, I hope to show others that ‘impossible’ doesn’t exist.”

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The sixth edition of the Verona Ceramics Festival is set to take place on September 28 and 29 in Verona’s San Zeno district, featuring over fifty Italian and international master ceramists showcasing their work.

Ceramics, an art form rooted in the Greek word “Keramos,” meaning “earth to bake,” holds a special place in Verona’s craft tradition. After the success of previous years festivals, this year’s festival continues to be a key cultural event, boosting tourism and attracting ceramics enthusiasts.

Visitors will find a range of unique ceramic pieces for sale, all handcrafted by the exhibiting ceramists. These works, created using various techniques, are designed for home decor, tableware, and personal use. This year’s festival also continues its commitment to supporting local social initiatives that assist people with disabilities by using ceramics as a form of occupational therapy, helping them gain autonomy and integrate into the community.

Additionally, the 2024 edition will feature a retrospective exhibition, “Lynette Darlington 1950–2013: A Ceramist in Verona,” at the Museo del Carnevale. Darlington, born in Plattsburgh, New York, made a significant impact on Verona’s ceramics scene by introducing “gres,” a technique involving high-temperature firing, in the 1980s when she established her workshop in the city. The exhibition will run during festival hours at the former Oratory Santa Maria Giustizia Vecchia on Via San Procolo 10.

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Hostaria Verona, the popular wine festival, is celebrating its 10th anniversary from October 11 to 13. This year, the festival will feature a special postmark created in collaboration with Poste Italiane to commemorate the milestone.

For the first time, the event kicks off with a special premiere for partners and wineries on Thursday, October 10, at Villa Brasavola de Massa in Piazza Cittadella. From October 11 to 13, Verona’s historic squares and streets will host tastings, cultural activities, and entertainment focused on wine, social issues, and environmental awareness. The city center will transform into an open-air wine tavern, offering hundreds of wine labels and free events, including music, guest appearances, and unique experiences to promote wine education, innovation, and responsible drinking, alongside the best of Italian cuisine.

The festival will highlight both small producers and major consortia, featuring Italian culinary excellence (which is being considered for UNESCO heritage status) from regions like Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna, Abruzzo, Tuscany, and Salento.

New for 2024 is a redesigned map of the festival locations. Key spots include the ‘VIP Energy’ area in the Courtyard, hosting live music, debates, and awards, and Piazza Bra, which will feature a ‘barrel garden’ with a public piano for impromptu performances. Piazza Indipendenza will be the hub for folk music, while Cortile Mercato Vecchio will celebrate women in wine with live performances. Piazza dei Signori’s Loggia di Fra Giocondo will host discussions on new communication trends, and Piazza Cittadella will offer a Happy Hour Lugana experience at Villa Brasavola de Massa. Via Roma will showcase wines and food from Tuscany, and multiple selfie corners will be set up for visitors to capture festival memories.

More information and ticket presales are available at www.hostariaverona.com.

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The general theme of the European Mobility Week 2024 is “sharing public spaces.” Workshops, group bike rides, discussions, and excursions will make up the activities hosted in Verona from Monday, September 16 through Sunday, September 22. All these activities have one thing in common: making urban environments cleaner, quieter, and more inclusive.

Verona’s European Mobility Week Highlights

Different events are planned for the whole week-long program which include several group bike rides. On Monday, September 11, at 7 p.m., cycling associations, crews, and groups will organize themselves for a great town ride with road bikes, mountain bikes and gravel bikes participating.

On the following day, September 12, starting from 4 p.m., there will be another group bike ride organized by Hermete Cooperativa Sociale, which will be followed by an aperitif and dinner. This will be the highlight of the week: EcoMobility Day, in honor of citizens moving around the city without cars. For each of those days, a series of activities is available, from the bike traffic count organized by Fiab Verona and Legambiente Verona-from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.-at key points of the city, to the walking tour through the Quinzano neighborhood, with meeting times at 2:30 p.m. RESCHEDULED The day will end with a Lucio Dalla tribute concert at Baleno at 9:30 p.m.

The events continue on Thursday, September 19, with still another excursion in Novaglie at 2.30 p.m., followed by a Women Social Ride in Baleno at 7 p.m. On Friday, September 20, the day gets underway with an early morning bike ride at 6 a.m. with another Social Ride, and from 9.00 am, you can take a test ride of e-bikes that are fitted out with integrated tracking. Greenride.it will showcase a new platform able to trace one’s rides and compute how much CO2 is being saved. Friday will end with a night-time bike ride around Verona starting from 10.00 pm: a great way for visitors to explore the city.

Saturday, September 21st at 3.00 p.m. will have the Sports Festival in Via Villa Verona, and afterwards will be a presentation about the benefits of e-bikes for a city held at Baleno Community Center at 4.00 p.m.

Photography walks will be held at 9 a.m. on the last day, Sunday, September 22, at Baleno, and a bike ride for families will take place at Rigaste San Zeno, based on a map which has fun games at every stop. For the youngest participants, there will be an urban safari at 4 p.m. helping them learn to navigate around the city and observe what’s happening. The week will wrap up with a theatrical improv show at Baleno at 9 p.m.

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