Traditional festival
are celebrated in most Italian towns and villages in commemoration of local historical or religious events. The most notable are listed here. The dates of many traditional festivals may vary from year to year.
Calendar of Traditional Events in Italy
Agrigento
ALMOND BLOSSOM FESTIVAL (Sagra del Mandorlo in Fiore) First half of February Folk festival of song, dance, costumes, fireworks:
international festival of folklore. The event begins with a spectacular performed by children from around the world,and continues with a programme in various indoor and outdoor venues of music and dance,in regional folkloric costumes. The focal point of the show is a stage and theatre erected in front of the Temple of Giunone.
Arezzo
GIOSTRA del SARACINO (Joust of the Saracen) First Sunday in September Tilting contest of the 13th century with knights in armor:
Dressed in medieval costume, they indulge in three days of pageantry, parades, flag-tossing and drumming culminating in a final day of jousting on horseback. It is colourful, noisy and spectacular.
Assisi
CALENDIMAGGIO(Celebration of Holy Week) Easter Week:
Celebration of spring according to rites dating back to medieval times.The commemoration and celebration of Holy Week in Easter, the Calendimaggio (a three-day recreation of the medieval celebration of Spring when much of Assisi dons medieval dress for street theatre, music, dance, and a series of contests between the upper and the lower parts of the town).
TORNEO della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana) First Sunday in August Historical pageant with people in 15th century costumes.The Quintana, in the various moments in which it is articulated, succeeds in melding together culture and spectacle, historical re-evocation and current events, monumental city and city of men. The very strong sense of continuity and belonging that are an integral part of it is closely related to the patron saint Emidio's feast day, central calendarial event of the life of the town, under a profile that is religious and civic as well as social-economic and playful.
Asti
The Palio at Asti – 3rd Sunday in September
The Asti Palio is reputed to be the oldest in Italy, dating back to 1275, when Astigian jockeys raced through and over the vineyards surrounding Alba. At the heart of the programme are the bareback horse races around the triangular track in the main piazza of Asti. The pageantry that surrounds the event includes over 1,200 inhabitants in full medieval costume representing each of the 21 ‘commune’ of Asti and the surrounding area.
These 21 commune parade through the streets to the beat of hundreds of drums and one of the highlights is the flag waving and throwing displays, where huge banners are tossed high in the air in a fantastic display of colour and noise. These ceremonies both open and close the Palio.
PALIO - San Secondo May 2 A 700 year old ceremony with procession in 13th century costume. Flag Throwing Palio.
Third Sunday in September
Ancient festival with 800 costumes participants
Bari
SAGRA di San NICOLA May 7 Historic procession in costume.The story of Saint Nicholas bears little relationship to his fictional counterpart, Father Christmas. The body of the Saint is said to have arrived at Bari, on the Adriatic coast, by sea from Myra in Turkey in 1087. The city now holds an annual celebration in which the saintly statue is taken from its home in the historic Basilica di San Nicola to be carried out to sea and brought back again. Special masses are also held as part of the formal celebrations but a wide range of popular events take place too, including fireworks, historic parades in costume, and concerts. The festival is held on or near 9 May, the anniversary of the "Trazlazione" of the body of Saint Nicholas.
Cagliari
SAGRA di Sant' EFISIO May 1 to 4 One of the biggest and most colorful processions in the world. Several thousand pilgrims (wearing costumes dating back to 1657) accompany the statue of the saint on foot, carts and horses
Assisi
Calendimaggio from 6th - 8th May Historic commemoration of medieval and renaissance lifestyle in period costumes. For the occasion, theatral spectacles, concerts, songs, dances, parades, exhibitions of bowmen, crossbowmen and flagwavers. During the feasts two ancient medieval factions clash in a relentless and absorbing competition. All the city shines with the streets decorated by torches, flags, stendards and floral decorations.
Firenze
SCOPPIO DEL CARRO (Explosion of the Cart) Easter Sunday
A pyramid of fireworks in the Cathedral Square is set off by a mechanical dove driven from the Altar during High Mass.
Annually, on Easter Sunday, a cart that is decorated with flowers and filled with fireworks is set up in Piazza Duomo between the Duomo and the Baptistry. A mechanical dove comes flying out of the cathedral door, and into the cart. The Legend says that if the fireworks ignite, it means the coming year will be a good one!
CALCIO FIORENTINO (Soccer Match) June 24 to 28 Revival of a 16th century football match in medieval costumes.
The famous event that takes place in Piazza Santa Croce is not to be missed! In June (the final on 24th), a soccer tournament is played in the square that commemorates a real match that took place there in 1530 by a soldier who was trapped in the city. The players are dressed in costumes that exhibit the 16th century wonderfully! The teams are divided up by the four main neighborhoods in Florence. They represent Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, Santa Maria Novella and San Giovanni. The Renaissance soccer match is a combination of soccer, rugby, and wrestling.
June 24th Fireworks display from the terraced gardens overlooking the city
Festival of the Lanterns (La Rificolona):This festival takes place in September and celebrates the birth of the Virgin Mary. The city holds a torchlit procession (which dates back to the days of religious pilgrimage) where children would carry lanterns around all over the city. Firenze Marathon: Annual city marathon and half marathon that begins at the Piazzale Michelangelo ending at Piazza Santa Croce.
Foligno
GIOSTRA della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana) Second Sunday in September Revival of a 17th century joust with 600 knights in costume, historical procession
Genova
PALIO MARINARO dei RIONI June 29th
Rowing race in ancient dress
Genzano
INFIORATA (Flower festival) Corpus Domini
A religious procession along the streets carpeted with flowers in magnificent designs.
Gubbio
Corsa dei Ceri (Race of the Candles) May 15 A procession in local costume in witch tall shrines are carried to the church on the top of Mount Ingino.It takes place on the eve of St. Ubaldo's death and it has secular traditions. The "Ceri" are 3 gigantic wood platforms, surmounted by the statues of the saints Ubaldo, Giorgio and Antonio which are carried on one's back from the old town center to the top of Mount Ingino, where the basilica of the Patron Saint stands. On the way the "Ceraioli" are engaged in a wild race through the city's streets, and in the difficult, hard climb up the mountain, are followed by the excited and cheering crowd. The feast which takes place durung the day , is one of the most singular popular religious events of Italy. It is imbued by a great mystical emotionality, which fascinates the public. PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers) Last Sunday in May
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.Exciting competition of capable bowmen in period costumes. The " Conestable", the Autorities and the Consul watch the competition. The Contest is enriched by a flag-wavers spectacle and by a rich historic parade.
La Spezia
PALIO del GOLFO First Sunday of August
Rowing contest
Marostica (Vicenza)
PARTITA a SCACCHI con PERSONAGGI VIVENTI (Living Chess Game) Second weekend of September in even-numbered years
Chess game is played in the town square by living pawns in period costume.
Norcia
Truffle exhibition last Sunday of February This alimentary exhibition increases the gastronomic production in Valnerina : black truffles of Norcia, the pork butchery products, the cheese, the lentals of Castelluccio and the product of the woods. The show gives some areas to handicrafts, to the agricultural implements and to typical national products. There are also stands representing products from other countries.
Narni
Corsa all'Anello April 25 and next weekend Traditional feast which roots date back to the Middle Age, organized during the celebration in Patron St. Giovanale's honour. An impressive competition in which young people of the ancient quarters participate. While, dressed in traditional costume, they try to run a spear through a ring which is supported by ropes extending through the houses of Via Maggiore. Don't miss the big parade that files through the streets of the city on the eve of the race, with the districts decorated with flags and lit by torches. Many exhibitions, shows and concerts.
Napoli
FESTIVAL of San GENNARO September 19
A religious ceremony honoring the patron saint of the city
Nola
FESTA del GIGLIO (The Lily Festival) Sunday following June 22nd
Allegorical towers are carried in a colorful procession costume
Nuoro
SAGRA del REDENTORE (Feast of the Redeemer) August 27 to 30 Colorful procession in Sardinian costumes
Oristano
SA SARTIGLIA February 24 to 26
Medieval procession and jousting of masking knights
Orvieto
Umbria Jazz Winter from 28th Dec - 1st Jan Umbria Jazz Winter Festival has taken place since 1993. The show offers concerts from midday to late at night, creating a suggestive feast marking the end of the year. Musical concert during the New Year's Eve dinner. The closing concert takes place in the Cathedral in the afternoon of New Year's day. ( Gospel concert )
Perugia
Eurochocolate late in October Big gathering for chocolate lovers. Amatorial and semiprofessional stages, tasting, exhibitions and other appointments follow one another in the Teatro dei Golosi, in the Galleria Internazionale del Cioccolato and in Piazza del Bacio. This festival also involves the neighbouring cities. Umbria Jazz 2nd and 3rd week of July Founded in 1979, it is one of the most important Jazz festivals in Europe. In its editions it has hosted all the great modern jazz players. This spectacle goes on for 10 days. From morning to evening in the old city center, among the ancient palaces, about a hundred jazz concerts take place.
Palermo
FEAST of Santa ROSALIA July 10 to 15
Procession, bands, fireworks in honor of the patron saint of the city
Piana degli Albanesi
CELEBRATION of the EPIPHANY from the BYZANTINE RITE January 6
Pisa
GIOCO del PONTE (Battle of the Bridge) First Sunday in June
Medieval parade and contest REGATTA of the GREAT MARITIME REPUBLICS
The friendly contest and historic regatta in which each of the former maritime republics (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice) race for a price
Roma
EPIPHANY FAIR at PIAZZA NAVONA January 5th A fair of toys, sweets and others presents takes place in the open air among the beautiful Bernini fountains FESTA DE' NOANTRI July 19th to 26th
Folklore of Old Rome in Trastevere, including colorful procession for the Vergine del Carmine, folk dances and songs, carnival floats and fireworks
Sansepolcro
PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers) Last Sunday in May
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.
Sassari
CAVALCATA SARDA (Sardinian Cavalcade) Next to last Sunday in May Traditional procession of more than 3,000 people in Sardinian costumes
Siena
PALIO - in Siena July 2nd and August 16th
Procession and horse race. Participants are members of ancient city districts, competing for the banner (Palio). Colorful medieval pageantry.
Visitors and locals alike can pre-purchase tickets in stands, balconies, windows for view points over the circuit or attend free if standing within the centre of the Square.
Spello
Corpus Domini June The traditional feast of Corpus Domini is celebrated every year with the realization of a carpet of many varied coloured flowers along the streets of the old town center. A sight not to be missed.
Spoleto
Spoleto Festival June and July Spoleto festival, also known as "Two Worlds Festival", is an important meeting among the Italian, the American and European cultures. Nowadays it is one of the most important international events. It offers spectacles of prose and dance, concerts, exhibitions and films of the "Spoleto Cinema" season.
Todi
Todi festival August - September It is a season of prose-works, music, dances, films and cultural meetings. Founded in 1987, it's aimed at increasing the number of young talented Italian actors and singers. The churches, the theatres and the cloisters of the old city center are the wonderful and suggestive backgrounds of the performances. Antique Exhibition March - April
Held in the prestigious rooms of Palazzo del Vignola in the hearth of the city, it attracts some of the most important names in Italian antiques. It offers pieces of furniture, paintings, jewellery, ancient ceramics, bronzes and carpets. You can admire or buy unique precious items.
Taranto
PROCESSION of the MYSTERIES Good Friday
Renowned for its costumes and solemnity
Venezia
CARNIVAL in VENICE February/March
Celebrations in costumes and masks, entertainment in streets and squares. Music, mimes and fireworks.
Private organizers offer pre-bookable day and night events including grand evening balls in 18th Century costume in Venetian Palazzos and outings in costume to private parties
www.carnivalofvenice.it IL REDENTORE (The Feast of the Redeemer) Third Sunday in July Procession of gondolas commemorating the end of the epidemic of 1575
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL
August - September
Fiction films, documentaries and shorts are screened, with the prestigious Golden Lion awarded for best film. Various venues. For information and tickets, call 041-521-8711.
PREMIO CAMPIELLO
3° Sunday in September
A very famous book contest. HISTORICAL REGATTA First Sunday in September
Traditional competition between two-oar racing gondolas and procession of ceremonial boats.
Great and splendid Regattas have always been held on numerous occasions in Venice : the visit of a foreign prince, the election of a Doge or of a new Pope were the occasions on which the pomp and power of the Serenissima Republic were paraded before visitors’ eyes.
VOGALONGA
On November 11, 1974, a group of Venetians, with a passionate interest in rowing. in the lagoon and in the traditions of the “Serenissima”, got together on the island of Burano for the first race in a unique “regatta”.
http://www.vogalonga.it
Viareggio
CARNEVALE (Carnival) February/March Highlight of the Carnival festivities is the procession of spectacular and colorful floats
Information and reservations: Carnevale di Viareggio
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About Italy 
The teams are divided up by the four main neighborhoods in Florence. They represent Santa Croce, Santo Spirito, Santa Maria Novella and San Giovanni. The Renaissance soccer match is a combination of soccer, rugby, and wrestling.
Guest House in Italy Live your dreams in Italy. Book your holiday and organize your weekend. Farmhouses, bed and breakfasts, country houses, villas, castles, apartments, and thermal springs. Discover our culture, art, Cuisine and tradition. Come to Italy!