Events

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

First half of February

Folk festival of song, dance, costumes, fireworks

Arezzo GIOSTRA del SARACINO (Joust of the Saracen)

First Sunday in September

Tilting contest of the 13th century with knights in armor

Assisi CALENDIMAGGIO (Celebration of Holy Week)

Easter Week

Celebration of spring according to rites dating back to medieval times

Ascoli-

Piceno TORNEO della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana)

First Sunday in August

Historical pageant with people in 15th century costumes

Asti 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.

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

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.

CALCIO FIORENTINO (Soccer Match)

June 24 to 28

Revival of a 16th century football match in medieval costumes.

June 24th

Fireworks display from the terraced gardens overlooking the city

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 FESTA 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.

PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers)

Last Sunday in May

Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.

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.

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

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.

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

HISTORICAL REGATTA

First Sunday in September

Traditional competition between two-oar racing gondolas and procession of ceremonial boats.

Viareggio CARNEVALE (Carnival)

February/March

Highlight of the Carnival festivities is the procession of spectacular and colorful floats

Information and reservations: Carnevale di Viareggio

tel. 0584/962568

fax 0584/962891

Email segreteria@ilcarnevale.com

www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com