January
Feast of the Epiphany [Rome, Lazio]
January – Epiphany (Lazio, Rome)
From North to South, including islands: on January 6, the feast of the Epiphany is celebrated throughout Italy. A religious event that has become an occasion for celebration, through the creation of the popular and pagan figure of the Befana, a nice old woman who delivers sweets or coal to the little ones, depending on the degree of goodness of the children. On the day of the Epiphany everyone gathers in Piazza Navona, in Rome, for a traditional walk among the many stalls full of traditional sweet socks. In St. Peter's Square, then, the religious tone of the anniversary is maintained: the arrival of the Three Kings is recalled by a costumed procession with over a thousand participants.
From south to north, all regions of the Italian peninsula celebrate Epiphany on January 6. Originally a religious event, it evolved into a festival. People created an image of an old folk woman who did not believe in Christianity and called it Befana. The kind old woman would judge whether the children were kind or not, and use this as a way to decide to give candy or coal. On The Day of Epiphany, everyone gathers in Rome's Piazza Navona and wanders through the stalls filled with sweets and stockings. In St. Peter's Square, the religious atmosphere of the festival is the strongest, as more than a thousand people dress up in specific costumes and reinterpret the scene of the three oriental doctors who came to worship at the time of the birth of Jesus.
February
Feast of Sant'Agata [Catania, Sicily]
February – St. Agatha Festival (Catania, Sicily)
Sicily, land of deep-rooted traditions. This, perhaps, is the most important. We are talking about three days dedicated to the worship and devotion of one of the most beloved patron saints. A real full immersion in tradition, comparable to Holy Week in Seville, Spain, or the feast of Peruvian Corpus Christi. Devotees and simply curious crowd the streets of Catania during the celebrations of February 5: everything is ready to pay homage to the Virgin and Martyr of Catania.
Sicily is a land of many ancient traditions, and St. Agatha is one of the most important. During these three days, everyone will worship and pay homage to the holy prophet Agatha. It is a festival steeped in tradition and rivals the "Holy Week" event in Seville, Spain, or the Corpus Christi in Peru. During the celebrations on February 5, devout believers as well as curious people crowded the streets of Catania. Everything is ready, and everyone pays tribute and blessings to St. Agatha, the virgin and martyr of Catania.
February/March
Carnival [Venice, Veneto]
February/March: Carnival (Veneto, Venice)
Among the most heartfelt and celebrated events in Italy there is certainly the Carnival. Venice is the place where this pagan festival reaches its peak. Not only Shrove Tuesday: among the Venetian streets the masked celebrations last over two weeks. Public events, such as parades and parades, and private events, such as masked balls with invitation, mark the days in joy. Concerts, shows and the beautiful Vogata del Silenzio, a suggestive procession of gondolas that crosses the Grand Canal, illuminated for the occasion.
The happiest and most celebrated event in Italy is carnival. Venice is the most celebrated place for this non-religious festival. During the Carnival, mask parades are staged on the streets of Venice for more than two weeks. There are many public events such as parades and private events such as masquerade balls with invitations, which add a lot to this happy day. There are also concerts, theatrical performances, And vogata del Silenzio boating. Vogata del Silenzio is a lively gondola (a characteristic vessel of Venice) parade that passes through the illuminated Venetian Grand Canal.
March/April
Scoppio Del Carro [Florence, Tuscany]
March/April: Carriage Explosion Festival (Florence, Tuscany)
In Florence, Easter is celebrated in a very special way. We go down to the square to watch a real show: in the street is brought the Brindellone, a cart built in 1622, which is pulled to the majestic Cathedral by a pair of oxen adorned with garlands. Following a procession of percussionists, flag-wavers and characters dressed in period costumes, as well as city officials and representatives of the clergy. Everyone at Mass and immediately after the archbishop is ready to start a rocket in the shape of a dove, the Colombina, which lights the fireworks of the wagon. If everything goes as planned, it will be a lucky year, as tradition dictates.
In Florence, Easter is celebrated in a very special way. Everyone walks into the square and witnesses a real spectacle: a brindellone, a carriage built in 1622, is pulled by a pair of oxen wearing garlands to the majestic Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore and stops at the main road. Behind the carriage was a procession of drummers, flag bearers, dressed men, Florentine officials and clergy. Everyone went to Mass, and then the archbishop got ready, activated the dove trap, and lit the fireworks on the carriage. According to tradition, if everything goes smoothly, it means that this year will be a lucky year.
May
Festival Of The Panellone [Camogli, Liguria]
May – Fish Festival (Camogli, Liguria)
Passionate about traditional festivals and village festivals? You can't miss this truly original fish festival. A giant stainless steel pan weighing 28 tons, with a diameter of 4 meters and a handle of 6 meters is used. In this particular container, about 30,000 portions of fried fish are prepared and distributed free of charge, throughout the day. To make everyone happy you need over three tons of fresh fish and more than 3000 liters of oil.
If you also like traditional festivals and folk festivals, then you must not miss this authentic fish festival. About 30,000 servings of fried fish are cooked in a large stainless steel pot weighing 28 tons, 4 meters in diameter and 6 meters long in the handle, and then distributed to the public free of charge. More than 3 tons of fish and more than 3,000 liters of oil need to be prepared to complete this big task, so that all citizens can taste fried fish.
June
Infiorate Di Spello [Umbria]
June – Spello Flower Festival (Umbria)
With the arrival of the summer, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, in the province of Perugia, dresses up for the party, or rather, dresses up in flowers. The route of the Corpus Christi procession is prepared with about 2000 square meters of flower carpets and floral paintings made by numerous artists, with the collaboration of local citizens and visitors enchanted by this custom made of colors and scents. In addition to the floral displays, at the Public Gardens of Spello there is also a horticultural exhibition, with the possibility of admiring collections of orchids, cacti, carnivorous plants and roses.
As the weather clears, Spero, in Perugia, one of the most beautiful towns in Italy, is dressed in flowers. The road to the Corpus Christi procession is paved with nearly 2,000 square meters of flower carpets and paintings made of dried flowers. These are created by many artists and made by local citizens and tourists (attracted by customs full of color and fragrance). In addition to the Flower Festival, Spello hosts a flower exhibition where you can enjoy different varieties of orchids, cacti, succulents and roses.
July
Festino Di Santa Rosalia [Palermo, Sicily]
July – Santa Rosalia Festival (Palermo, Sicily)
Some Events in Italy resist time and the advance of technology, keeping alive the flame of tradition. Like the Sicilian festival of Santa Rosalia, much loved by tourists. A mix of beauty, devotion, dance and theater: this is "U fistinu". The people of Palermo are particularly devoted to the saint who played a decisive role in the fight against the plague in 1624. A great event of popular culture, characterized by a spectacular procession that passes through the most beautiful places in Palermo.
There are some festivals in Italy that have experienced the erosion of time, the impact of technological progress, and the continuation of the flame of tradition. The Sicily Santa Rosalia Festival, which is popular with tourists, is one example. Combining dance with drama, beautiful and religious, this is the celebration of Palermo "U fistinu". The people of Palermo are particularly devout to Santa Rosalia, a saint who played a decisive role in the fight against the plague in 1624. The Santa Rosalia Festival is a grand folk cultural event that will take you on a spectacular procession through the most beautiful parts of Palermo.
August
Taranta Night Festival [Salento, Puglia]
August - Night of Taranta (Salento, Puglia)
An unmissable event for lovers of popular music. The largest Italian music festival, which gathers fans from all over the world. The event consists of various stages, which culminate in the final evening, a great concert held every year in Melpignano (LE), in the heart of Salento Greece. An immense crowd gathers to dance to the rhythm of pizzica-pizzica, one of the most beloved Italian folk dances.
For friends who love pop music, this is an event not to be missed. This is the largest music festival in Italy, with fans from all over the world. The event is divided into several stages, and the final evening is the climax of the entire festival. This large concert takes place every year in Melpinano, the regional center of Grecia Salento. People gather and dance to the rhythm of pizza, one of Italy's most popular folk dances.
September
Peperoncino Festival [Diamante, Calabria]
September – Chili Festival (Diamante, Calabria)
Every year, for five days, the charming Calabrian seaside resort of Diamante is transformed into the world capital of chili. The spicy vegetable becomes the protagonist of all the events that take place in the streets and squares, along with lots of music, cabaret, street artists, screenings and thematic exhibitions. It is a really popular festival, which reaches an average of about one hundred thousand spectators, eager to enjoy the panorama and traditions of the Riviera dei Cedri.
Every year, the picturesque Seaside resort of Calabria, Diamante, transforms into the chili capital of the world. The celebration lasts 5 days. Various events are held in the streets and squares, accompanied by music, cabaret performances, street artist performances, themed exhibitions and screenings. And the protagonist of all the activities is Chili Pepper. It is a highly attended festival with an average of 100,000 spectators coming to enjoy the beauty of the Cedri Waterfront and the atmosphere of a traditional festival.
October
Grape Festival [Marino, Lazio]
October – Grape Festival (Marino, Lazio)
The oldest Grape Festival in Italy has been staged here since 1925 every first Sunday of October. In the afternoon of Saturday you can attend a historical-religious re-enactment with figures in sixteenth-century costume. Sunday is dedicated to the procession, with parades of allegorical floats, historical procession and the famous "miracle of the fountains that give wine".
Since 1925, Italy's oldest grape festival has kicked off on the first Sunday of October in Marino. On Sunday afternoons, one can watch a performance with a sense of history and religion – the performers dress up in 16th-century costumes. A grand parade also takes place on Sundays, including a parade of floats, a historical parade and the famous "Fountain of WineMaking".
NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
CHRISTMAS MARKETS [TRENTINO ALTO-ADIGE]
November/December – Christmas Market (Trentino al-Adige)
The most beautiful Christmas markets in Italy? Those set up in South Tyrol and in particular in Bolzano, Brunico, Merano, Vipiteno, Glorenza and Bressanone. The characteristic wooden pagodine are filled with artifacts, candles, biscuits and mulled wine. A walk in search of gifts accompanied by musical bands and songs with a strictly Christmas theme.
Is it said to be the most beautiful Christmas market in Italy? These bazaars are located in The Upper Adige, especially in the cities of Bolzano, Brunico, Merano, Vipitno, Glorenza and Bressano. The characteristic wooden tower is filled with handicrafts, candles, biscuits and warm wine. People stroll through the market in the company of bands and Christmas-themed songs to pick out Christmas presents.
December
Living Nativity In The Sassi [Matera, Basilicata]
December – Nativity Show (Matera, Basilicata)
The largest living nativity scene in the world, in the most suitable natural stage. The Sassi of Matera, the ideal setting for the Nativity. In December, people from all over Italy arrive to recreate the scenes of the birth of Jesus. The roads dug into the tuff of Matera are transformed into the ancient lands of Palestine and Jerusalem. A kilometer of route, along which you can admire the cave cavities that host the most significant biblical passages.
This is the grandest Nativity show, and in the most appropriate natural environment. Matera's Sassi cave area is the perfect place to set the stage for the Nativity show. In December, people from all over Italy came here to recreate the scene of the nativity of Jesus. The streets embedded in the Matera rock formations became the ancient lands of Palestine and Jerusalem. Following a route that is one kilometer long, one can admire many caves that carry the most important passages of the Bible.