Festivals & Annual Events
FESTIVALS, SAGRE AND RELIGIOUS FESTIVALS
The Italian calendar is saturated with celebrations of one sort or another, often related to religious dates which can vary according to the year. If you accidentally come across one, do not worry about participating as they are all very public events and all are welcome. Some are quite small and very local, while others have taken on international fame such as the Palio in Siena in June and August.
Below is a list of most of the major festivities in the Valtiberina and a few larger ones from nearby and elsewhere. In many cases no exact dates can be given and they are generally over a weekend or two, so we have tried to give you an idea of what to expect during the time you are here.
MAY
PISTRINO. Festa dei Fiori. First weekend in May. Agricultural Fair.
GUBBIO. May 15. Festival of the ‘Ceri’. This is a must see event if at all possible. Medieval Madness on a grand scale. Three teams carrying large wooden ‘candles’ race around the main square then up the mountain. Inspirational.
UMBERTIDE, Festival di Primavera, celebrating the arrival of spring.
LUCIGNANO. LA MAGGIOLATA. Great floats and entertainment in a lovely little town.
MONTE SANTA MARIA TIBERINA. Festa dellí Ascensione. An historic religious procession in this small, very hill top town.
JUNE
CASTIGLION FIORENTINO, Palio dei Rioni, Third Sunday in June. Traditional horse race between the quarters of the town. Starting to rival Siena.
VALDIMONTE [SAN GIUSTINO]. Volo do colori.International kite festival in the hills behind San Giustino.
AREZZO, Giostra del Saracino, traditional bi annual equestrian competition dating back to 1677. Magnificent Medieval costume procession.
ANGHIARI, La Battaglia di 1440. Celebration of the famous battle of Anghiari on June 29, 1440.
JULY
SIENA. PALIO della Madonna di Providenza. THE Palio! First run.
PIEVE SANTO STEFANO. Mignano1498, assalto al castello. Recalls the assault on the castle in 1498.
SELCI [SAN GIUSTINO]. Festa della Ranocchia. Festival of the Frog with gastronomic delicacies, music and sport
PIETRALUNGA. Sagra della Mietitura. Harvest Festival with local gastronomic treats and folklore.
PERUGIA. Umbria Jazz for 10 days in mid July is a great event with lots of high class music and plenty of free performances. Worth visiting just for the atmosphere.
AUGUST
PIETRALUNGA. Settimana del Palio [della Mannaia]. Week of festivities, folklore, music and foodstalls culminating in the Palio of the axe - a complicated Medieval legend!
PIEVE SANTO STEFANO. Corteo storico dei Rioni. Procession of the representatives from each district for the run up to the Palio dei Lumi. Exhibition by flag-wavers from Castiglion Fiorentino.
CORTONA. Tuscan Sun Festival. Two weeks of concerts, plus art events in classical Cortona.
N.B. FERRAGUSTO: AUGUST 15 is the pivotal summer holiday in Italy when literally everything shuts and whole towns sit down and eat together.
SIENA. PALIO della Madonna di Providenza. THE Palio! Second run.
BADIA TEDALDA. Palio dei Castelli. Historical competition between mounted knights. A suspended ring has to be removed by the lance of the knight on horseback.
MONTONE. Rievocazione della donazione della sacra spina. Religious celebration in honour of a famous relic from the Crown of Thorns.
CORTONA, Sagra del Fungo Porcino ñ local Porcini mushroom gastronomic delights.
MONTEPULCIANO. Bravio delle Botti. Battle of the Wine Barrels. Roll out the barrel in this famous wine town.
SEPTEMBER
ANGHIARI, Tradizionale Festa degli Ospiti. Traditional festival of the guests, Festa di Santo Stefano.
PIEVE SANTO STEFANO, Palio dei Lumi. Palio of the lamps. Historical soccer match between the districts and parade in costume.
AREZZO, Giostra del Saraceno, traditional bi annual equestrian competition dating back to 1677. Huge costumed Medieval re-enactment. Knights on horseback compete for the honour of their district.
CORTONA, Festa della Madonna del Bagno
SANSEPOLCRO. Settimana Rinascimentale del Borgo. Almost daily events leading up to the Balestra/Cross-Bow competition between traditional rivals Sansepolcro and Gubbio, on the second Sunday of September. Crossbow men from the two towns are supported by a great historical procession, musicians, and captivating exhibitions of flag waving.
CITTA' DI CASTELLO, Festival delle Nazioni, Festival of the Nations. Annual classical music Festival, themed on a particular nation, staged in a variety of interesting locations in the vicinity.
OCTOBER
CITERNA. Autumn Festival. Second Weekend in October. Excellent show of local handicrafts.
PERUGIA. EuroChocolate. The festival for Chocolate lovers celebrating the best local and international chocolate delights. Fairground fun.
CAPRESE MICHELANGELO. Festa della Castagna. Celebrating autumn and the delights of forest food.
ANGHIARI. Cento gusti dellíAppennino. 100 tastes of the Apennines. Local fair featuring many local products with typical flavours from the area.
AREZZO - ALL YEAR ROUND
Fiera Antiquaria, Antiques Fair. This is perhaps the best known and best attended Antiques Market in Italy with over 500 stall holders. Held on the first Sunday of every month, and the preceding Saturday it draws visitors and exhibitors from all over Italy and abroad. Very interesting even if you don’t buy anything.