Italian Events

Tuscany Events

The Palio is perhaps one of the most famous events in Italy It is a well-publicised mediaeval equestrian challenge based in Siena since the 1300's

Every July 2nd and August 15th , the neighborhoods (contralto) challenge each other to a race around the campo (central Piazza or Plaza) of Siena as a peaceful means of settling rivalries Today it is the major tourist attraction and to be in the campo for the race is both costly and difficult We recommend attending the time trials the day before Arrive early and purchase a seat from one of the restaurants that ring the campo (cost is about about €40-50 per seat - the day of the Palio it jumps to €200 - €400 if seatsare available) The time trials on 1st July are a dress rehearsal and is a good representation of the Palio the next day Even better, that day and night, the neighborhoods are alive with crowds walking through the area, singing competitive songs, waving flags and generally full of hope for the race That night dinners are set up in the streets - long tables are placed for the neighborhoods and their racer to have a celebration of the race to come

In Siena every third Sunday of the month it is possible to browse through old and antique things in Piazza del Mercato

In Arezzo the first Sunday of every month there is the largest antiques show in Italy

Just east and north of Pisa is the intriguing walled city of Lucca The walls are the most substantial in all of Italy Where most walled cities erected high and thin walls some 1 - 2 meters thick, Lucca created a massive moat and walls of some 20 meters thick These thick walls now serve as a wonderful promenade for the town's folk and visitors This is a must - be in Lucca at the time of the "passeggiata" from 5:00 - 7:00pm The town strolls leisurely around the city on top of the wall and along the historic street that encircles the oval piazza anfiteatro, once the location of an oval Roman amphitheater Julius Ceaser is said to have walked this passeggiata in 85 BC "Passeggiate" is a delightful Italian custom All towns and villages have one and allow the informed traveler, to rub elbows with the locals

Vernio: Polenta Festival (February)
Florence: Mediaeval "Explosion of the Cart" (April)
Cerreto Guidi (Fl) – Chianti wine fair – (April)
Querceta: Renaissance Parade and Horse Race (May)
Pescia: Pinocchio's Birthday (May)
Massa Marittima: Historic Pageant (May)
Saturnia (GR) – Pecorino Cheese fair – (May)
Arezzo: Mediaeval Pageant and Jousting Tournament (June)
Chiusi: Historical Horse Race and Pageant (June)
Florence: Historil Soccer Game and Parade (June)
Pisa: Battle of the Bridge, featuring water games on the Arno River (June)
Regatta of the Great Maritime Republics (Every 4 years in June)
SQuirico d’Orcia (SI) – Festa del Barbarossa – 3rd Sunday of (June)
Buti (PI) – Olive fair – (June)
Lucca: Medieval Parade and Horse Race (July)
Pistoia: Historic Parade and Jousting Tournament (July)
Livorno: Historical Regatta (July)
Siena: Palio Horse Race and Pageant (July, August)
Grosset : Cowboy Parade and Rodeo (August)
Giglio Island: Historical Regatta (August)
Massa Marittima: Historic Pageant (August)
Montepulciano: Historical Pageant and Games (August)
Porto SStefano (GR) – Palio Marinaro dell’Argentario – (15th August)
Cerreto Guidi (Fl) – Palio del Cerro – (Saturday before first Sunday of September)
Carmignano: Historical Parade and Horse Race (September)
Arezzo: Mediaeval Pageant and Jousting Tournament (September)
Prato: Parade and Historical Ball Game (September)
Bagno a Ripoli (Fl) – Palio delle Contrade – (second week of September)
Monte San Savino (AR) – Roasted Pork fair - (September)
San Miniato: Festival of the White Truffle (November)
Borgo San Lorenzo (Fl) – White Truffle of Mugello fair – (November)
Volterra (PI) – White Truffle of Val di Cecina fair – (December)

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Lazio Events

Velletri : Festival of StAnthony Historic Parade and Jousting Tournament (January)
Alatri : Sacred re-enactment of the Passion Play (April)
Acquapendente : ÒI PugnaloniÓ Historic Pageant (May)
Tarquinia : Historic Parade and Jousting Tournament (May)
Sant'Oreste : Festival of the Madonna (May)
Genzano : Flower carpet Pageant (June)
Bolsena : Flower carpets Pageant (June)
Rieti : Palio Horse Race (July)
Castel Madama : Historic Pageant and Horse Race (July)
Rome : Festa de' Noantri (July)
Sermoneta : Historical Re-enactment of the Battle of Lepanto (October)
Greccio : Re-enactment of StFrancis building the first Nativity Scene (Christmas Eve)

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Campania Events

Caserta: Festival of St Sebastian (January)
Ponte: Historic Parade and Pageant (February)
Pontelandolfo: Carnival Parade and Cheese Festival (February)
S Agata dei Goti: Historic Carnival Parade (February)
Avellino : Costumed Races and Sports Event (February)
Naples: Blood Miracle Festival of San Gennaro (1st Saturday in May & September)
Amalfi: Historic Regatta (June - every four years)
Benevento: Festival of the Madonna of the Graces (July)
Foglianise: Wheat Harvest Festival (August)
Pozzuoli: Banner Pageant for the Assumption (August)
Massalubrense: Festa dell'Addolorata (September)
Fragneto Monforte: International Hot Air Balloon Pageant (October)

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Veneto & Lake Garda Events

Verona: Bacanal del Gnoco Historil Parade and Masked Ball (February)
Sappada: Carnival (February)
Venice: Carnival (February)
Belluno: Traditional Easter Games (March)
Trichiana: Brusa la Vecia Traditional Bonfire (March)
Treviso: Rogo della Vecia Bonfire and Festival (March)
Badia Polesine: Spring-time Kite Competition (April)
Bassano del Grappa: Asparagus Festival (April and May)
Venice: Historic Regatta - Vogalunga, Ascension (May)
Verona: Green Robe Historical Parade and Race (May)
Asiago: Parade to Commemorate the End of the Plague (May)
Battaglia Terme: Remada a Seconda Pageant Play (May)
Concordia Sagittaria: Beer Festival (May and June)
Venice: Historic Regatta - Sant'Erasmo (June)
Venice: Historic regatta - Redentore (July)
Chioggia: Fish Festival with Costumed Sailboat Races (July)
Caorle: "Madonna dell'Angelo" festival (July)
Cibiana di Cadore: Murales: three famous artists paint the town's history on its walls (July)
Fregona: Mountaineer Competition (July)
Boccasette: Fish Festival (July and August)
Garda: Sardine Festival with Food, Music and Folklore on Boats in the Lake (July 15-31)
Garda: Historic Horse Race and Parade (August)
Rosolina: Festival of San Rocco (August)
Feltre: Historical Horse Race (August)
Bibione: International Folklore Festival (August)
Rotzo: Potato Festival (August and September)
Caorle: Historical Re-evocation of the Rape of the Damsels (September)
Montagnana: Historical Parade and Horse Race (September)
Marostica: Human Chess Game (September)
Lamon: Bean Festival (September)
Este: Palio Games and Races (September), Colli Euganei DOC Wine Festival (September)
Valdobbiadene: National Spumante Festival (September)
Brenta River: Riverside Marathon (1st Sunday in October)
Bibione: Living Nativity Scene, Church of SM Assunta (December)
Campo di Cadore: "Lioda" Competition (December)
Treviso: Radicchio Festival (December)

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Umbria Events

Orvieto: Umbria Jazz Winter (January)
Terni: Celebrations for St Valentine (14th February)
Todi: Italian Antiques show (mid April)
Narni: Corsa all’anello (22nd April to 9th May)
Assisi: Calendimaggio (first week of May)
Narni: Celebrations for St Giovenale (3rd May)
Foligno: Giostra della Quintana (June)
Bevagna: Mercato delle Gaite (end of June)
Spoleto: Spoleto Festival (end of June to July)
Perugina: Umbria Jazz summer (July)
Gubbio: Roman Theatre season (mid July to August)
Montone: Donazione delle Sacra Spina - (August)
Fiume (Near Gubbio) Crayfish Fair (mid September)
Assisi: Celebrations for St Francis of Assisi (4th October)
Perugia: Eurochocolate (October)
Citta di Castello: Trade fair of the Truffle and woodland products (end October/early November)
Torgiano: Italian wine judging competition (end October/early November)
Narni: Wine and Chestnut fair (first weekend of November after the 6th)

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