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January 27, 2023Railways
January 27, 2023Planning Your Trip
Traditional festivalare 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 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 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 |
| Viareggio |
CARNEVALE (Carnival) Information and reservations: Carnevale di Viareggio tel. 0584/962568 fax 0584/962891 Email [email protected] www.viareggio.ilcarnevale.com |
