Happy Birthday, Vespa! The celebrations marking Vespa’s 80th anniversary came to a close on 28 June 2026 with a spectacular finale in Rome. For four days, the Foro Italico was transformed into a ‘Vespa Village’ brimming with music, exhibitions, street food and international club activities. More than 50,000 visitors gathered there to celebrate design, style and community – the spirit that has made the Vespa an icon since 1946. The highlight was the grand parade featuring 25,000 Vespas from 67 countries, followed by sporting competitions, live music and an elegant finale with an awards ceremony and an elegance contest.
In 1946, the Italian vehicle manufacturer Piaggio launched the very first Vespa model. It has always stood for freedom, light-heartedness and the Italian zest for life, very much in the spirit of La Dolce Vita. This iconic scooter already enjoys true cult status worldwide. Now, to mark its anniversary some eight decades after its inception, the cult brand has transformed Rome into a showcase for design and international community. For four days, the unmistakable hum of the engines was accompanied by music, exhibitions, competitions and moments in which history and the present merged.
Day 1 (25 June 2026): Official start with the launch of the anniversary model and a look at the brand’s history
The grand anniversary celebrations began on 25 June 2026 with a symbolic ceremony: Piaggio’s CEO, Matteo Colaninno, together with Rome’s Mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, opened the Vespa Village at the historic Foro Italico, the centre of all the festivities. Shortly afterwards, the site was filled with Vespisti from more than 60 countries. The Stadio dei Marmi became a meeting place for enthusiasts, collectors and curious onlookers. A special highlight of the first day was the opening of the photography exhibition “80 Years of an Icon – The Exhibition”, curated by photographer Giacomo Bretzel. It showcased the Vespa as a symbol of freedom, change and design, from post-war Italy to the street-style icons of the 21st century. Evocative images, archive photographs and rare collector’s items told the story of the Vespa, which has long been more than just a means of transport. Another highlight was the unveiling of the Vespa Edizione Ottantesimo, a limited-edition special model with just 1,946 units worldwide, created as a tribute to the year the company was founded.
Day 2 (26 June): Between championships and musical light-heartedness
On the second day, the Vespa took centre stage as a unifying cult icon. Whilst the sounds of Radio Deejay blared from the speakers in the Vespa Village and Vespa enthusiasts strolled amongst historic models and the current product range, participants competed in sporting events showcasing precision and style. In the European Vespa Rally Championship, riders demonstrated their skills on challenging routes featuring navigation tests – a tribute to travel as an art of living. At the same time, the Gymkhana World Championship provided plenty of excitement: here, dexterity was key as Vespas weaved between obstacles as if they belonged on the dance floor rather than on the tarmac. Amidst the roar of engines and music, thousands of visitors celebrated in the Vespa Village, which showcased the brand’s full stylistic range with special editions, fashion collections and live DJ sets. In the evening, the action shifted to the stage: following a showcase by singer Ditonellapiaga, cult DJ Molella created the perfect Italian atmosphere, blending sunshine, sound and spontaneity.
Day 3 (27 June): The grand Vespa parade as the highlight of the celebrations
The anticipation was palpable, as the most spectacular event had been announced for the third day: the Vespa parade through the heart of Rome. Around 25,000 Vespas from 67 countries filled the historic streets from the Colosseum to Piazza Venezia. One thing is certain: this parade was not only a highlight of the Vespa’s anniversary, but also a symbol of Italian culture in action and of that special zest for life that has been inspiring people worldwide to hop on a Vespa for 80 years.
Day 4 (28 June): A Grand Finale in Style
On Sunday, 28 June 2026, the celebrations for “Vespa Roma 2026 – 80 Years of an Icon” came to a close. The most stylish models were honoured at the Elegance Contest, before the winning clubs of the Vespa Trophy were recognised during the Awards Ceremony. With over 50,000 visitors, delegations from 67 countries – including Austria – and highlights ranging from historic models to live music, the Vespa Village at the Foro Italico impressively demonstrated that the iconic brand is far more than just a means of transport: it is a passion brought to life and la dolce vita on two wheels.
