There are moments you can never forget. Let alone a prestigious anniversary for one of the most brilliant icons in Italian history. Vespa turned 80 and celebrated in grand style, bringing its timeless legacy to Rome along with thousands of enthusiasts who fuel the passion for something that is much more than just a vehicle. It is a symbol of freedom, independence, but above all of Italian spirit around the world. And this was evident in the capital as well, which hosted four days of celebration, with the Foro Italico—home to the Vespa Village—serving as the beating heart of the event. Here, distinguished guests were welcomed, and Vespa’s history—along with its future—took center stage in the event’s program. The festivities featured a parade of historic and prized models alongside the current lineup, fashion and lifestyle collections, and countless merchandising opportunities in the dedicated shop.
And it was precisely with the ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Vespa Village by the mayor of Rome, Roberto Gualtieri, that the four-day celebration of VESPA ROMA 2026 – 80 YEARS OF AN ICON officially began, after Vespa enthusiasts from all over the world had already begun joyfully flooding into the capital several days earlier. Following the inauguration, the Village hosted two official events: the Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato unveiled the commemorative coin marking the Vespa’s 80th anniversary, and Poste Italiane held a ceremony to cancel a special postmark dedicated to this special anniversary.
But there was also time for the opening of the photography exhibition “80 Years of an Icon – The Exhibition,” held in the spectacular setting of the Stadio dei Marmi. Curated by Giacomo Bretzel, the exhibition took the public on a journey through the many roles played by the Vespa: a means of transportation and a symbol of freedom, a travel companion and a style icon, the star of extraordinary adventures, and a symbol of a way of life that continues to resonate with people of different ages and cultures. And, thanks above all to magazine covers and movie sets, it has become one of the most recognizable and influential objects in contemporary visual culture.
Vespa 80th Anniversary Edition
A never-ending story that doesn’t end here, because Vespa’s 80th anniversary was the perfect occasion to also unveil the exclusive Vespa 80th Anniversary Edition: a model that is rare from the start because, in homage to the year Vespa was created, it is produced in a numbered edition limited to just 1,946 units, available for order online during the event at edizioneottantesimo.vespa.com. A unique model that revives, reinterprets, and pays homage to the material soul of Vespa—that distinctive feature which, in fact, represents its purest and most unmistakable essence: the load-bearing body with its timeless design, built entirely and strictly from steel. This is just one of the many new releases Vespa has launched this year to celebrate this prestigious anniversary. The public also had the opportunity to discover the extensive 80th Anniversary collection and the exclusive collaboration with Assouline, a world-renowned luxury publishing house, which has produced the commemorative helmet and the exquisite Vespa photo book.
The Ditonellapiaga Showcase and the Vespa Rally
Vespas everywhere and in every corner. But there were also activities, entertainment, and performances. For example, Ditonellapiaga got everyone dancing at the end of the first day, with a showcase featuring four of his most beloved songs, which also officially kicked off the musical program for VESPA ROMA 2026, bringing one of the most original voices on the Italian music scene together with a brand that has played a leading role across musical genres and generations. The musical program continued nonstop throughout the Vespa festival, thanks to Radio Deejay, which also brought DJ Molella to the stage on opening night.
A fitting finale to a dream first day, which was, however, just the appetizer for the event organized by Vespa to celebrate its birthday. On the second day, Friday, June 26, the Vespa Rally European Championship took center stage, with Vespa riders competing in special stages featuring timed sections at a set average speed and navigation using a RoadBook. The World Gymkhana Championship, as is tradition, featured numerous Vespas taking part in skill tests involving technical obstacles to test agility, balance, and concentration.
The Largest Vespa Rally in History
But the highlight was undoubtedly Saturday, June 27, 2026, when the streets of Rome hosted the largest gathering ever organized in history, with 25,000 Vespas from 67 countries parading through the capital. A unique setting for an equally iconic celebration. A sign of unconditional love for an Italian icon and its birthday, all encapsulated in a parade kicked off by Rome’s mayor, Gualtieri, and led by the presidents of the Vespa Clubs from the participating countries. From the Baths of Caracalla to the Colosseum, then on to Piazza Venezia, circling the Altar of the Fatherland, and continuing toward the Imperial Forums. An exciting procession greeted by the cheers and applause of the people of Rome, who were able to admire models from every era and type. More precisely, there were over 160 models representing eight decades of Vespa history, including several 1946 Vespa Model 98s—extremely rare examples from the first series. This included other vintage Vespas, from the “low-headlight” models of the 1950s to the quintessential VBBs of the 1960s. The ET3s, GTRs, and numerous Rally models were among the most applauded, along with the timeless Vespa PX. A triumph of models and versions, right up to the modern Primavera and GTS, which were increasingly well-represented—thanks above all to the avid travelers who made the journey to Rome, covering thousands of kilometers. Among them were several guest stars, such as six-time world champion Max Biaggi and Aprilia Racing MotoGP rider Lorenzo Savadori.
The Closing Ceremony with the Fashion Show
It’s the magic that only Vespa could create. A demonstration of unconditional love that speaks louder than words about what a vehicle has come to mean to thousands of people around the world. But that magic didn’t fade in the hours following the Parade, as the Vespa Village continued to buzz with excitement and offered thousands of enthusiasts the chance to immerse themselves in the Vespa universe, even on the fourth and final day. Sunday, June 28, 2026, featured the traditional Parade of Elegance, one of the most anticipated and spectacular events. It was a fitting conclusion to four unforgettable days, featuring the highly coveted awards ceremony, with the Vespa riders participating in the Elegance Parade and the Vespa Clubs that took part in the Vespa Trophy taking center stage— the touring competition in which the clubs are challenged to document, with photos and special stamps in their Travel Books, the stops along their journey to Rome.
This isn’t just a simple account of an incredible celebration, but also a summary of the message that Vespa, once again, has sent to the whole world: the joy of living united by a single passion. The same joy felt by the more than 50,000 visitors to the Vespa Village at the Foro Italico, who enjoyed music, events, exhibitions, shopping areas, street food, and entertainment—all while the stage was brought to life by Radio Deejay every day. And they flocked, in particular, to the display of the currently available Vespa lineup, the most beautiful and rare vintage Vespas from the Piaggio Museum collection in Pontedera, as well as the evocative photo exhibition that traced Vespa’s unique history. From Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Austria, and Switzerland, but also from other continents, such as Australia, Hong Kong, Mexico, Argentina, the Philippines, the United States, Canada, and Colombia. There are no boundaries for Vespa, and these four days allowed us to fully appreciate everything it stands for—thanks to its history, its present, and a future to embrace with wings beneath our feet.
