Party and parade for the 80th anniversary of the Vespa

The rounded rear sides, the elegant ‘waist’ tightened between the made in Italy bolts and the unmistakable buzz. Vespa celebrates its 80 years in Rome, the city of the ‘dolce vita’ which more than any other has made the scooter of Pontedera born in 1946 together with the Italian Republic, an icon throughout the world. “Vespa Roma 2026 – 80 years of an icon” will attract Vespa enthusiasts from over 60 countries from all continents to the capital. This is the largest celebration in the history of Vespa today present on the streets all over the world with over 20 million vehicles.

For the 80th anniversary of the Vespa, a 4-day party

A four day long party – from 25 to 28 June – to pay homage to the ‘Roman holidays’ of the timeless lady. The decibels will rise to a maximum on Saturday 27 June with the great parade along the streets of the Eternal City. Thousands of Vespas of every era and color will parade (at the moment they are already 10 thousand members) among the beauties of the Capital.

Heart of the festival, free and open to all fans, will be the Foro Italico and the Stadio dei Marmi, baptized on “Vespa Village” for the occasion. It starts on Thursday 25 June (1pm) with the cutting of the ribbon, the presentation of the commemorative coin – issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and created by the State Printing and Mint Institute – and the philatelic cancellation ceremony of the Italian Post Office. Then begins the photographic exhibition “80 Years of Vespa” which, curated by maestro Giacomo Bretzel, will celebrate the stylistic evolution of the brand and its cultural and social impact through photos and some unique pieces. The entertainment of Radio Deejay with live music, and the performances of Ditonellapiaga (from 9pm) and, subsequently, of DJ Molella will mark the end of the first day.

On Friday 26 June the Vespa Clubs will be the protagonists with the European Vespa Rally championship and the Gymkhana world championship. Then the big parade on Saturday (the route is still being defined) and closing on Sunday with “the elegance competition”, that is, the parade of the rarest and most precious Vespa models.

Colaninno: “The history of Vespa is intertwined with the history of Italy”

“Vespa was born in ’46 with the Republic: in 80 years it has crossed eras, lifestyles and generations. A path that is inextricably intertwined with the history of Italy: the difficulties and hopes of the post-war period, the rebirth of the ’50s and ’60s, economic growth and mobility, up to the last decades which have seen the Vespa phenomenon expand throughout the world”.Matteo Colaninnoexecutive chairman of Piaggio Group he remembers like this, during the presentation of the event in Capitolthat “today we are at the dawn of the 20 million vehicles that animate and color the streets of metropolises and cities on all continents”.

Pop revolution

The ‘pop’ revolution on two wheels (also celebrated by the MoMa in New York as an example of accessible and innovative design at the same time) travels parallel to Italian history. And it was born from the genius of Corradino D’Ascanio e Enrico Piaggio. They didn’t want uncomfortable motorbikes. As they overturned the traditional design: the flat platform, the load-bearing body, the easy-to-replace wheels. A means of transport simple. E democratic (purchasable in installments since the post-war period) because it is also accessible to students, familiesworkers.

Zero acrobatics to get on the saddle, easy to use even for women (the gonna thanks to the platform and the protective shell it is not an obstacle to driving). Over the years the Piaggio scooter has become a symbol of Made in Italy motoring it also becomes a cultural icon. Two young people riding a Vespa through the Roman alleys with the wind in their hair. Audrey Hepburn e Gregory Peck Hepburn in “Vacanze Romane” (1953) consecrated the Vespa as an emblem of the sweet life. Lightness, freedom and lightheartedness.

Gualtieri, “Rome contributed to creating a myth”

For Roberto Gualtieri, Vespa “tells an important part of our history, our culture and the Italian ability to innovate without losing your identity. Rome, which has contributed to making it a myth through cinema and culture, is proud to host this extraordinary celebration: we are happy to welcome thousands of Vespa enthusiasts from all over the world to our city to celebrate together – concludes the mayor of Rome – this important anniversary, in an atmosphere of sharing, passion and friendship”.

The program of the Vespa birthday party

Thursday 25 June– at 1.00 pm the ribbon cutting and the official inauguration of the Vespa Village will mark the start of the party. Presentations will follow Celebratory coin – issued by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and created by the State Printing and Mint Institute – and the philatelic cancellation ceremony of Poste Italiane.

The “80 Years of Vespa” Photographic Exhibition will open which, curated by maestro Giacomo Bretzel, will celebrate the stylistic evolution of the brand and its cultural and social impact through photos and some unique pieces. The entertainment of Radio Deejay with live music, the showcase performance of Ditonellapiaga from 9.00 pm and, followed by DJ Molella until closing, will mark the evening of an exciting first day.

Friday 26 June – from 10:00 on Vespa Village will be in full swing thanks to the initiatives of Vespa and its partners. The Vespa Clubs will be protagonists with the European Vespa Rally Championship and the World Gymkhana championship. On stage Radio Deejay artists and entertainment will alternate throughout the day and in the evening, from 7pm, there will be live performances which will end with Wad’s DJ set, until 11.30pm.

Saturday 27 June – the most awaited event will be held, the great parade: in the morning thousands of Vespas of every era and model will parade through the streets of Rome, touching the iconic points of the city. It will be a festival of colors that will pass through Rome, a spectacular moment, the likes of which has never been seen in the history of Vespa. The Treasure Hunt at the Village and the awards ceremony of the Vespa World Club of the Sport and Tourism championships will mark the afternoon and evening of Saturdayo.

Sunday 28 June – il elegance contestas per tradition, will be one of the most spectacular moments of the entire program, with the parade of the rarest and most precious Vespa models. The official closing of the Village, at 3pm, will mark the end of the celebrations. As always, Radio Deejay’s entertainment will cover the whole day until the awards ceremony and then at the end, when thousands of Vespa enthusiasts will head home.