RELIGIOUS CELEBRATIONS

1.La Befana

6 Jan

In Italy the festival of the Epiphany is personified by La Befana, a witch-like hag flying in on a broom who delivers gifts to good children and puts “lumps of coal” (actually sweets) in the shoes of naughty ones.

La Befana, festival of the Epiphany

2.Carnevale

Feb

Pulcinella is lord of this blow-out in Naples, just before the austerities of Lent begin. Lasagne is the dish to indulge in, and masks and partying are very much a part of this age-old celebration. Kids get the chance to choose their fantasy persona and parade around in their finery.

Pucinella figurines, Carnevale

3.Pasqua

Mar or Apr

In Italy, Pasqua (Easter Sunday) and Pasquetta (Easter Monday) are both important, as is the week leading up to them in some towns. Good Friday processions are held around the Naples area, with an especially rich one on the island of Procida. Pasquetta is traditionally a day for outings – picnics being a top choice to celebrate the advent of spring. Near Sant’Anastasia, 15 km (9 miles) east of Naples, a festival is held at the sanctuary of the Madonna dell’Arco.

4.San Gennaro

The Saturday before the first Sunday in May is the first of a thrice-yearly event. During this celebration, the blood of Naples’ patron saint – who has seen the city through earthquakes, volcanic erup-tions and football championships – flows again. The miracle is received with a hysteria seldom seen in this day and age – a manifestation of age-old faith that involves flower-bedecked processions of the saint’s effigy through the old quarter.

5.San Giovanni

24 Jun

The feast day of St John the Baptist also sometimes sees his blood boil – a phial of it is ensconced in the church of San Gregorio Armeno. Otherwise, the saint is traditionally remembered in charmingly pagan ways, linked to the summer solstice: night bathing, magicians and the gathering of walnuts to make nocino, a liqueur prepared for late autumn.

6.Santa Maria del Carmine

15–17 Jul

Google Map

Every summer, Naples’ tallest bell tower is “burned” in commemoration of a legend that recounts how an icon kept here, the Madonna Bruna, saved it from being destroyed by fire. An array of fireworks are dramatically set off at the climax of the festivities (for further details see Santa Maria del Carmine).

7.Ferragosto

15 Aug

The Assumption of the Virgin Mary marks the height of the summer season, when most shops and restaurants close in the city (although not on the coast). Pozzuoli stages a contest of climbing a greased pole, while Positano re-enacts a landing of Saracen corsairs.

8.Madonna di Piedigrotta

Sep

Once a fancy affair, today the event involves a song competition and theatrical events, plus fireworks and street parties. It all centres on a 14th-century sculpture of the Madonna and Child.

9.L’Immacolata

8 Dec

Celebrating the Immaculate Conception, this festival opens the Christmas season; nativity scenes and decorations go up and the Guglia dell’ Immacolata in Piazza del Gesù becomes the focal point of activity.

Guglia dell’Immacolata

10.Natale

24–25 Dec

At Christmas the streets around San Gregorio Armeno are full of shoppers looking for items to complete their nativity scenes, and concerts take place in the churches.

Christmas nativity scene

TOP 10 SECULAR FESTIVALS

1.Regata Storica, Amalfi

Jun

Every four years Amalfi hosts a boat race against Venice, Pisa and Genoa.

2.Culture Week

Apr

For one week publicly owned museums, historic and archaeological sites are free.

3.Maggio dei Monumenti

May

Churches and buildings usually closed to the public open for one week.

4.Estate a Napoli

Summer in Naples includes outdoor films, theatre and music.

5.Concerti al Tramonto, Villa San Michele, Anacapri

May–Aug

This genteel villa is the venue for sunset classical concerts (for further details see Villa San Michele).

6.Music Festival of Villa Rufolo, Ravello

Jun–Sep

A rich calendar of music, theatre and dance in evocative settings (for further details see Ravello Music Festival).

7.Neapolis Festival

Jul

Southern Italy’s largest rockfest invades the area of Bagnoli.

8.Festival delle Ville Vesuviane

Jul

The aristocratic villas along this coast play host to classical concerts (for further details see Villa Ruggero).

Festival delle Ville Vesuviane

9.Pizzafest, Naples

Sep

A celebration of the city’s famous dish, as pizza-makers spin their dough.

10.Capodanno, Naples

31 Dec

New Year’s Eve involves merrymaking and fireworks over Castel dell’Ovo.

Back to Religious Celebrations

Back to The Top 10 of Everything