Festivals
The Italians’ attachment to regional customs and religious festivals has dwindled in the 20th century, but many continue for the tourist trade. Here is a far from exhaustive list of some of the main processions and festivities around the country.
January Piana degli Albanesi (near Palermo): a colourful Byzantine ritual for Epiphany.
February or early March Venice: historical Carnival, masked balls and processions in magnificent costumes. Viareggio: more contemporary Carnival with parade of floats. Agrigento: Almond Blossom Festival in Sicily.
April Rome: Pope’s Easter Sunday blessing.
May Assisi: Calendimaggio Christian and pagan festival. Naples: Miracle of San Gennaro (liquefaction of the saint’s blood, also on first Sunday in May, 19 September and 16 December). Camogli (Riviera): Fish Festival, communal fish-fry in giant pan. Gubbio: wooden candle race, crossbow competition. Orvieto: Pentecost feast of the Palombella (Holy Ghost). Florence: Maggio Musicale (May–June), musical performances in various venues throughout the city.
June Pisa: San Ranieri, jousting and torchlit regatta on Arno river. Florence: medieval football game in costume. Spoleto: Festival dei Due Mondi (June–July), international theatre, prose, music and dance performances by leading artists from Europe and the Americas.
July Siena: first Palio (2 July, for more information, click here). Sardinia: S’Ardia – more dangerous than Il Palio (6–7 July). Palermo: festival of patron Santa Rosalia. Venice: Redentore regatta. Rimini: Festival of the Sea. Rome: Noantri street festival in Trastevere. Perugia and other Umbrian cities: Umbria Jazz, one of the most important jazz festivals in Europe.
August Siena: Second Palio (16 August). Venice: Venice International Film Festival held at the Lido.
September Naples: Piedigrotta, Neapolitan music and cuisine and the 19 September feast day of San Gennaro. Venice: historical Regatta.
October Assisi: Feast of St Francis. Perugia: Franciscan Mysteries.
December Rome: Christmas food and toy market on Piazza Navona.
Assisi and Naples: nativity scenes in streets.