VENICE
traditional festivals
CARNIVAL in VENICE February/March
Celebrations in costumes and masks, entertainment in streets and squares.
Music, mimes fireworks, parties, and free events
VOGALONGA May
A historical boat race from Saint Mark's to the islands, back to the Gran Canal.
Free event
HISTORICAL REGATTA OF THE MARINE REPUBLICS - June - every 4 years
This event takes place each year in a different town (Venezia, Genova, Pisa or Naples)
Free event
IL REDENTORE - Third Saturday and Sunday in July
(The Celebration of the Redeemer)
Procession of gondolas commemorating the end of the epidemic of 1575
Religious ceremonies are held on Sundays in the Palladio's Church in the Giudecca Area. The day before, hundreds of boatst "take seat" along the Gran Canal and the Bacino of Saint Mark, to admire the fireworks.
Free event
Partecipate to a dinner party in a boat
HISTORICAL REGATTA - First Sunday in September
Traditional competition between two-oar racing gondolas and procession of ceremonial boats.
Free event |
ROME
traditional festivals
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. Free event.
FESTA DE' NOANTRI July
In the quarter of Transtevere, a coloful procession for the Vergine del Carmine, fold dances, songs and fireworks. Free event.
FESTIVAL DI CARACALLA July - August
Music, opera and dance summer festival at the Caracalla's baths. |
FLORENCE
traditional festivals
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. Free event.
CALCIO FIORENTINO (Soccer Match)
Revival of a 16th century football match in medieval costumes.
Tickets from 20 to 45 Euro + Euro 10 reservation fee
Click here for reservations
Fireworks display from the terraced gardens overlooking the city
Free event |
PALERMO
traditional festivals
FEAST of Santa ROSALIA -
Procession, bands, fireworks in honor of the patron saint of the city
Free event |
SIENA
traditional festivals
PALIO of 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.
SIENA'S MUSIC FESTIVALS - June, July, August |
OTHER CITIES
traditional festivals
Piana degli Albanesi
CELEBRATION of the EPIPHANY from the BYZANTINE RITE
Free event
January 6
Agrigento
ALMOND BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
Folk festival of song, dance, costumes, fireworks
Free event
First half of February
Oristano (SASSARI)
SARTIGLIA
Medieval procession and jousting of masking knights
February 24 to 26
Viareggio
CARNEVALE (Carnival)
Highlight of the Carnival festivities is the procession of spectacular and colorful floats.
Free event
February/March
Taranto
PROCESSION of the MYSTERIES
Renowned for its costumes and solemnity
Good Friday
Assisi
CALENDIMAGGIO (Celebration of Holy Week)
Celebration of spring according to rites dating back to medieval times.
Free event
Easter Week
Asti
PALIO of San Secondo
A 700 year old ceremony with procession in 13th century costume. Flag Throwing Palio.
Free event
May 2
Cagliari
SAGRA di Sant' EFISIO
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. Free event
May 1 to 4
Bari
SAGRA di San NICOLA
Historic procession in costume.
Free event
May 7
Gubbio
- FESTA dei CERI (Celebration of the Candles)
A procession in local costume in witch tall shrines are carried to the church on the top of Mount Ingino. Free event
May 15
- PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers)
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms. Free event
Last Sunday in May
Sassari
CAVALCATA SARDA (Sardinian Cavalcade)
Traditional procession of more than 3,000 people in Sardinian costumes.
Next to last Sunday in May
Sansepolcro
PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers)
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms. Free event
Last Sunday in May
Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa or Venice
REGATTA of the GREAT MARITIME REPUBLICS
Each of the former maritime republics races for a price in a friendly contest.
May - June
Genzano
INFIORATA (Flower festival)
A religious procession along the streets carpeted with flowers in magnificent designs.
Corpus Domini
(June )
Pisa
GIOCO del PONTE (Battle of the Bridge)
Medieval parade and contest
Free event
First Sunday in June
Nola
FESTA del GIGLIO (The Lily Festival)
Allegorical towers are carried in a colorful costumed procession.
Sunday following June 22nd
Genova
PALIO MARINARO dei RIONI
Rowing race in ancient costumes
Free event
June 29th
Ascoli-Piceno
TORNEO della QUINTANA
Historical pageant in 15th century costumes
First Sunday in August
La Spezia
PALIO del GOLFO
Rowing contest
Free event
Second Sunday of August
Nuoro
SAGRA del REDENTORE (Feast of the Redeemer)
Colorful procession in Sardinian costumes
August 27 to 30
Arezzo
GIOSTRA del SARACINO (Joust of the Saracen)
Tilting contest of the 13th century with knights in armor
Free event
First Sunday in September
Marostica (Vicenza)
PARTITA a SCACCHI con PERSONAGGI VIVENTI
(Living Chess Game)
Chess game is played in the town square by living pawns in period costume.
Second weekend of September in even-numbered years
Napoli
FESTIVAL of San GENNARO
A religious ceremony honoring the patron saint of the city
Free event
September 19
Foligno
GIOSTRA della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana)
Revival of a 17th century joust with 600 knights in costume, historical procession
Second Sunday in September
Asti
Ancient festival with 800 costumed participants
Free event
Third Sunday in September
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