Notte prima degli Esami

A night dedicated to the graduates of Avezzano

There is one evening in Avezzano when the central Piazza Risorgimento stops being just the city's living room and transforms into a gathering place for hundreds of young people, their backpacks still full of notes and their minds already focused on the state exams. This is the Notte prima degli Esami, a celebration that the Municipality of Avezzano and the Pro Loco Avezzano dedicate to students on the night before their final exams begin. It has become a collective ritual for the entire Marsica area, in the province of L'Aquila, drawing over 800 students.

Guidance, music, and a grand finale

The evening is more than just fun: in the afternoon, the square becomes a hub for university orientation in Abruzzo. Stands from regional universities welcome students who are deciding on their future academic paths, offering information and advice for enrollment. As night falls, the music and dancing take over with a Dance Festival featuring DJs, special effects, and gadgets. The soundtrack is, of course, the legendary song that gives the event its name—a track every graduate knows by heart.

A community-backed tradition

The Notte prima degli Esami began as a spontaneous celebration and grew until it was officially institutionalized by the municipal administration, a testament to how much Avezzano values its youth. The organizers reiterate every year: this is not just a party for students, but for the entire community that believes in them and supports them during this fundamental milestone. High schools from the city and the surrounding Marsica territory—from the Torlonia Classical Lyceum to the Pollione Scientific Lyceum, as well as technical and art schools—participate in force, making this night a defining moment for the entire region.

How to experience the evening

Admission is free: anyone can come to Piazza Risorgimento and join the festivities. The event takes place in the heart of the historic center, easily reachable on foot from anywhere in Avezzano, and culminates in a fireworks show that symbolically closes the night, just before the students head home to face their first written exam.