An important thing to know about me is that I love to see behind-the-scenes types of things. As a kid, one of the things I loved to see on TV the most wasn't my favorite cartoons; it was any show or clip that showed me how things were made. Factory processes. That Mr. Rogers video where he took us through how crayons are made. You get the idea!
Ever since I was a kid, that's the kind of thing that's bound to both catch and hold my attention. Give me a factory tour, a museum experience with a particularly engaged presenter, or both; and I'm a very, very happy person for the next few hours.
If all the traits I've described above can also describe you, then I sincerely hope you'll find yourself in Bologna on Sunday, April 19, 2026. Why? Because that's Made in Italy National Day, and both the Ducati Factory and Museum are proudly participating in the day's festivities.
In case you weren't already aware, 2026 marks Ducati's 100th anniversary. To celebrate its proud Italian heritage, on April 19, it will be opening the doors to both its factory and its museum free of charge, so that people can come in, do factory tours, and see the museum offerings throughout the regular opening hours of these incredible facilities.
Guided Ducati Factory Tours will be on offer at regular intervals between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. that day, and visitors can also go next door and visit the Ducati Museum for free until 6 p.m. that day.
If you want to participate, please know that even though admission to both facilities will be free on that date (and that date alone), you still need to sign up in advance via the official Ducati ticketing page. Once you're there, be sure to select the special tickets for Giornata Nazionale Made in Italy.
To be totally clear, this is an experience I would gladly pay for if and when I ever have the opportunity, as I've heard from people I know who have gone (including my partner) about what an amazing experience it is. But if you've been holding off because times are tight, it's definitely not every day you get the chance to go do this for free, so I'd totally go if I was anywhere in the vicinity.
