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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
July 2nd and August 16th
Procession and horse race. Participants are members of ancient city districts, competing for the banner (Palio).
Colorful medieval pageantry. |
| 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.
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 |
