Gaeta in Love

A festival of love overlooking the Gulf of Gaeta

Gaeta in Love is the event that the Municipality of Gaeta, in the province of Latina (Lazio), dedicates to the celebration of lovers. The heart of the event is the Viale degli Innamorati, the scenic promenade in the Sant'Erasmo district that overlooks the sea—a place whose very name reflects the city's romantic spirit. For one weekend in February, it fills with music, lights, and couples arriving from all over southern Lazio.

Live music at sunset

The format is simple and well-established: in the late afternoon, when the light over the Gulf is at its most beautiful, the promenade hosts open-air musical performances. Past editions have featured swing and jazz ensembles—from the Manhattan Swing Band to the Love Jazz Swing Quartet—as well as solo singers, with performances concentrated between 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM. The repertoire, ranging from American standards to Italian classics, provides the perfect soundtrack for a leisurely stroll rather than a formal concert.

The longest kiss and collective rituals

The most iconic element of Gaeta in Love is the symbolic collective kiss: at approximately 7:30 PM, couples are invited to share a kiss together in a participatory ritual that has taken on various names over the years, such as "The Longest Kiss" or "20,000 Kisses Above the Sea in Gaeta." This is not an isolated event; the Municipality has placed blue signs reading "Kiss me please" along the Viale degli Innamorati and the scenic Via Fontania, which have become a popular social media photo opportunity.

Artisanal chocolate and local flavors

The culinary aspect is entrusted to local artisans. The Chocolart chocolate shop offers tastings of chocolate hearts along the route, while bars, restaurants, and pastry shops in the city center participate with themed menus designed for two, often at a fixed price. It is the perfect opportunity to sample the products that have made the city famous: Gaeta olives (DOP), the tiella gaetana—a savory pie stuffed with escarole, octopus, or anchovies—and fresh fish from the Gulf.

Shop windows, shopping, and local commerce

Gaeta in Love was also created to promote local trade, supported by Confcommercio Lazio Sud. For an entire week, shops in the city center decorate their windows with romantic themes and offer discounts, vouchers, and gifts to couples. There is also a competition, "The Most Beautiful Window Display," which rewards the most creative setup with the involvement of local radio stations.

Why visit

• Free admission to all open-air events on the promenade.
• A rare landscape: the Gulf, Monte Orlando, and the Montagna Spaccata just minutes away.
• A mild February, ideal for discovering Gaeta outside the beach season.
• The medieval historic center and the Sanctuary of the Santissima Trinità to complete your day.

Dates vary from year to year and are centered around February 14th, sometimes extending to the following weekend. It is advisable to check the updated program on the Municipality of Gaeta's channels before traveling.