|
|
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
site:
www.calendimaggiodiassisi.it/
|
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 |
