Local Events & Festivals In Tuscany
Don’t miss out on the chance to experience some of the festivals and wonderful local events that Tuscany has to offer. Tuscany is home to many historic towns and charismatic cities, both of which hold exciting and fascinating events throughout the year.
Attending a local festival or event will give you a true feel for the real Tuscany and enable you to immerse yourself in the local culture. You will learn more about the history and culture of this artistic and visually stunning region.
Tuscany hosts a wide variety of different events to suit every taste. Attend events such as local markets, food and wine festivals, theatre shows, carnivals, live music concerts and colourful parades.
We have put together a selection of some of the best events in Tuscany that are a stone's throw away from our luxurious private villas. Browse through the events below or check the Italian tourist board for more information.
Local Events & Festivals In Tuscany
Event descriptions
A Sagra is a village festival which is basically an open air restaurant. There is generally music and depending on the village there may be also a few stalls with products made by the villagers. The food is good and cheap,it is a very country atmosphere and you will be surrounded by loud Italians.
Every sagra is for a specific type of food. There will be starters, first courses and second courses all made with the specific item. There are also desserts and wine and water.
When you arrive at the sagra (you will find it easily from all the cars that are parked in the area of the village where the festival is held) you must order what you want from a little booth where you will need your elbows and Italian dictionary (the menus are only in Italian). After you have paid you will be given a form with what you ordered. Find a place to sit and give the form to one of the waiters who will then bring you your food.
Villaggio della Birra
Tuscany isn't known for beer, however there is an ever increasing microbrewing community to the extent that a yearly beer festival is held in Bibbiano, near Buonconvento in the province of Siena. It's only about a 30 minute drive from Siena.
The event provides something for everyone, including various beer masters, beer tasting with the possibility to buy the products, a choice of food stalls, live music and open spaces for the little ones to play in. A wide range of beer producers are invited annually. They come not only from Italy but also other European countries and the USA, enabling visitors to taste an interesting selection of beers.
January
First Sunday after January 17th
Traditional horse race that starts at 14.30
Location: Buti (Pisa)
February
Carnival
The last 4 days before the end of the carnival period
The centre of San Gimignano changes into a vibrante festival with games and stalls of all kinds. At the end of the day there is a parade through the centre of the hand made floats.
Location: San Gimignano
Carnevale a San Gimignano
A parade of carneval floats through this medieval town finishing in the main square. This is a popular carneval to visit. The parade takes place at 15.30
Location: San Gimignano
Second Sunday of February
Fiera Antiquariato
A antiques market
Location: Montepulciano
Third Sunday
Fiera di piante e fiori
Plant and flower fair
Location: Pietrasanta
The three Sundays before Ash Wednesday
Fiera di Carnevale
Carnival fair
Location: Montepulciano
Carnevale a Montepulciano
A parade of carnival floats through this medieval town finishing in the main square.
Location: Montepulciano
Third Sunday
Mercato dell'Antiquariato (Antiques market)
Location: Lucca
March
Carnival Sunday and Fat Tuesday
Carnevale Bientinese
Canival parade
Location: Bientina (Pisa)
The first Sunday of every month
Fiera Antiquaria
A large and interesting antiques fair in the city center
Location: Arezzo
The first Saturday of every month
Mercatino di Via Montebuoni
A small local market with handmade items.
Location: Tavernuzze, Impruneta
The first Sunday of every month
Fiera Antiquaria
An antiques fair around the cathederal
Location: Pietrasanta
8 March
Fiera della festa della donna
A fair in honour of the women's day
Location: Pisa
The second Sunday and following Saturday of every month
Fiera arti e antiquariato
An art and antiques market
Location: Montepulciano (Siena)
The second Sunday of every month, excluding August
Mercatino dell'antiquariato.
A small market of antiques, handmade items and used objects.
Location: Altopascio (Lucca)
The Sunday before the 19 March
Fiera di San Giuseppe
A spring fair and sagra with the typical sweet rice dumplings in honour of San Giuseppe
Location: Chiesanuova, Chiesina Uzzanese (Pistoia)
The second Sunday of March
Festa profumi di primavera
A spring festival with local produce.
Location: Forcoli, Palaia (Pisa)
Sunday after the San Giuseppe festival
Palio dei Somari
A traditional event. It is a race with donkeys accompanied by flag bearers and drummers. The race will be held at 16.00. If there is rain it will be postponed to the following Sunday.
Location: Torrita di Siena
Palm Sunday
Fiera delle Palme
Palm Sunday festival
Location: Castelnuovo Berardenga (Siena)
April
The first Sunday of every month
Fiera Antiquaria
A large and interesting antiques fair in the city center
Location: Arezzo
The first Saturday of every month
Mercatino di Via Montebuoni
A small local market with handmade items.
Location: Tavernuzze, Impruneta
The first Sunday of April
Fiera del Cucu
A local fair
Location: Casola in Lunigiana (Massa-Carrara)
The first Sunday of April
Fasta del museo e della civiltà contadina
A festival to rediscover the local traditions
Location: Palaia (Pisa)
The first Sunday of every month
Fiera Antiquaria
An antiques fair around the cathederal
Location: PietrasantaThe first Sunday of every month
Fiera Antiquaria
An antiques fair around the cathederal
Location: PietrasantaThe Saturday before Easter week and the Sunday after Easter
Fiera di S.Michele di Pasqua
Easter fair
Location: Lucca
The second Sunday of every month, excluding August
Mercatino dell'antiquariato.
A small market of antiques, handmade items and used objects.
Location: Altopascio (Lucca)
Palm Sunday
Sagra delle frittelle
Rice dumpling festival
Location: Montespertoli (Florence)
Good Friday
Processione via Crucis
An Easter procession which starts at the cathedral (Il Duomo) and ends at the Church of San Martino (Chiesa di San Martino). The participants of the procession are all in historic costumes.
Location: Siena centre
Good Friday
Processione storica del venerdi santo
An Easter procession, the participants of the procession are all in historic costumes.
Location: Casole d'Elsa (Siena)
Easter Saturday
Easter eve mass
This mass is held in the spectacular cathedral of Siena. It starts at 23.00. Make sure you bring some warm cloths as the cathedral can be quite cold, especially if you are sitting still.
Location: Siena cathedral (Il Duomo)
Easter Sunday
Easter Mass
Held in the cathedral of Siena (Il Duomo). It starts at 11.00, bring some warm cloths as the cathedral will be cold even during the day, there is no heating inside.
Location: Siena cathedral (Il Duomo)
Third Saturday and Sunday of every month
Maremma Antiquaria
Antiques market
Location: Marina di Grosseto (Grosseto)
Easter Monday
Sagra della lumaca
A food festival
Location: Cavriglia (Arezzo)
Easter Monday
Mercatino delle cose del pasato
Festival with typical dumplings, sandwiches, wine and vin santo
Location: Greve in Chianti
Second to last Saturday of April to the first Sunday of May
Sagra del Cinghiale
Wild boar festival and sagra
Location: Chiocchio, Greve in Chianti
Last Sunday of April
Fiera dei fiori e dei cocci
Flowers, plants and terracotta festival
Location: Torrita di Siena (Siena)
April Music concerts
For more information and tickets visit www.chigiana.it/concerti
Location: Siena
Palio dei Somari
A traditional donkey race in the streets of this pretty village. It starts at 10.30 and continues on to 21.30 when the race occurs in the square. For more information visit http://www.paliodeisomari.it/
Location: Torrita di Siena
May
Passione Maremma
An event which promotes the local products of the Maremma area by stalls, shows (in Italian), concerts etc in the streets of the old town and various other locations in the city. For more information visit the website www.passionemaremma.it
Location: Grosseto
All May
Maggio Musicale
A series of classical concerts and ballet held in Florence. For more information visit their website
Location: Florence
All May
Concerto Classico
Sacred music, pieces from Italian Operas and songs from Naples.
Held every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday at 18.00. There is an entry fee. For more info http://www.concertoclassico.info
Location: Chiesa Anglicana di St. Peter's - Via Garibaldi 32, Siena
Several weekends during May
Treno Natura (Nature Train)
A steam train that takes you through the Tuscan countryside on different itineraries. To take this train you must book. For further information and bookings visit www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Location: Departs from Siena
1000 Miglia
This is a famous gathering of vintage cars which originally raced for 1000 miles through Italy. The cars are driven by well-known drivers and other VIPs. They will be passing through Tuscany on the way back to Brescia. You can see them along the SS 2 road departing from Siena about midday on Saturday passing the Chianti area.
For accommodation near the race route Villa Sornano (12people) and Vecchio Fienile (2 to 6 people)
For more information including dates visit www.1000miglia.eu
(First Sunday of May)
Greve e i fiori
The main piazza of Greve in Chianti is filled with flowers
Location: Greve in Chianti
(First Sunday of May)
Sagra del formaggio e baccelli
Cheese and pod sagra, a local speciality during May.
Location: Montevarchi
(First Sunday of May)
Fiera di Primavera
Spring flower festival with stalls of various produce and flowers
Location: Castel Focognano (near Arezzo)
Giostra dell'Archidado
This festival originated in 1367 as a celebration for the marriage of Francesco Casali Signore of Cortona and the nobile lady Antonia Salimbeni of Siena. The participants from each zone of the city compete with crossbows to win the verretta of gold.
For more information and program visit www.cortonaweb.net/archidado/english.htm
Location: Cortona
(Second week of May)
Festa del Giaggiolo
A sagra dedicated to the tradition of the Iris, about it's cultivation and uses.
Location: Greve in Chianti
(First and second Sunday of May)
Sagra della fragola
Strawberry and other agricultural products fair.
Location: Terriciola (near Pisa)
(First Sunday of May)
Mercatino dei prodotti dela val d'orcia
A market of products from the Val d'Orcia valley.
Location: Pienza
(First 4 Sundays of May)
Festa della Madonna
Festival of toys and sweets typical of the Madonna of Valdibrana.
Location: Valdibrana, Pistoia
(Second and third Sunday of May)
Festa in Collina
A local country fair with various food stalls.
Location: Murlo (Near Siena)
(Second Saturday of May)
Cantine in Festa
The wine cellars of Cerreto Guidi are open for wine tastings
Location: Cerretto Guidi (Florence)
(Second Saturday and Sunday of May)
Mercato artigianato e antiquariato
Market of handmade and antique products.
Location: Piombino
(Second Sunday of May)
Festa dei Limoni
Lemon festival with exhibitions of courtyard lemon trees with cultural events.
Location: Figline valdarno
(Second Sunday of May)
Fiera del Palio
This festival opens the week of the Palio of the Contrade which occurs on the following Sunday. There is a market of antiques and handicrafts with a parade in historical costumes.
Location: Fucecchio
(Second Sunday of May)
Sagre e mostre dell'affettatrici e delle bilance storiche
A delicatessan festival where you can try locally produced cold meats and view the antique slicing machinery and weigh scales on display.
Location: Greve in Chianti
(Second and third Sunday of May)
Sagre del prosciutto e dei baccelli
A sagre of prosciutto and pods, which are a local speciality in the spring
Location: Lari (near Pisa)
(Third Sunday of May)
Festa al Capannone
In the morning a procession in honour of St. Macario. In the afternoon there is a horse race.
Location: Torrita di Siena (near Siena)
(Penultimate and last Sunday of May)
Festa Chiesanuovese
A traditional sagra of eel, with the historical event Palio di St Stefano.
Location: Cascina (near Pisa)
(Penultimate Sunday of May)
Palio delle Contrade
In the morning there is a parade in historical costumes. In the afternoon there is the horse race between the 12 contrade.
Location: Fusecchio (Florence)
(Last Sunday of May)
Sagra delle fragole con panna
A strawberry and cream sagra.
Location: Reggello (near Florence)
(Last Sunday of May)
Sagra dei Pici
A festival where you can taste local products including the pici pasta which are typical of the area.
Location: S. Casciano dei Bagni (South of Siena)
Cantine aperte (A feast of wines)
The famous wine cellars of the province of Siena open their doors to the public for a day of wine tasting. You can not only taste but also buy some of the most well-known wines of the Chianti, San Gimignano, Montalcino and Montepulciano. On this day there will also be other events occuring such as a tour of vintage cars from Florence to Castello di Brolio and a cycling itinerary. You will also be able to taste various typical products at some of the farms in the region.
For more info click here (only in Italian)
(last Sunday of May)
L'estrazione per il Palio del 2 Luglio
In piazza del Campo the selection of the contradas that will race in the 2nd of July Palio takes place. The event occurs between 19:00 and 20:00. The 7 contradas who did not race the preceding year will definitely race. The last 3 places are selected out of the remaining 10 contradas by a draw.
Location: Piazza del Campo - Siena
June
(First weekend in June)
Radda nel Bicchiere (Radda in a Glass)
Wine tasting along the street through the town of Radda in Chianti. The town offers its wine tourists and ethnographers an opportunity to discover its wines. www.raddanelbicchiere.com
Location: Radda in Chianti
Pentecoste
This is a festival completely dedicated to wine. The wine growers of Castellina will present their products which include wines, olive oils, cheeses and cold meats. You can buy a glass and then proceed to taste the various wines. On the 29th and 30th there are also small musical events and other small shows.
Location: Castellina in Chianti
(First Sunday of June)
Sagra della Ranocchia (frog festival)
There are other things to eat here apart from frogs legs, so if you want to try frogs but are not too sure about it, you won't starve as you can always choose something else.
Location: Castelnuovo Scalo
(Near Siena)
June
Sagra della pastaciuta (Pasta festival)
At this sagra there are many types of pasta with different sauces that you can try. A good idea would be to take a 'Tris' where you can choose 3 different types to try in one portion.
Location: Volte basse (South of Siena)
June
Pienza in musica
A choral concert held in the town of Pienza. It starts at 17.00 at the church of San Francesco. While in the town make sure to taste the sheeps cheese that the town is famous for.
Location: Pienza
(Several weekends of June)
Treno Natura
Enjoy an interesting train ride in a vintage train around Tuscany with stops in several Tuscan towns. This is an ideal way to view the spectacular landscape of Tuscany. Tickets must be booked in advance. For more info see www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Location: Departing from Siena Station
(First weekend of June)
Giostra cavalleresca
A traditional joust in historical costume.
Location: Figline valdarno (Florence)
(First two weekends of June)
Fest della ciliegia
A cherry festival.
Location: Carmignano (near Prato)
(First Sunday of June)
Regata storica
A traditional boat race in historical costume.
Location: Calcinaia (near Pisa)
(First Sunday of June)
Antichi mestieri
Old trades.
Location: Marina di Grosseto
(First Sunday of June)
Fiera antiquariata
Antiques fair.
Location: Pietrasanta (near Lucca)
(Second weekend of June)
Sagra della pizza
A sagra of various types of pizza.
Location: Buti (near Pisa)
(Second Sunday of June)
Fiera arti e antiquariato
Antiques market and fair.
Location: Montepulciano
(Second Sunday of June)
Mercatino dell'antiquariato
Antique and used items fair and market.
Location: Altopascio (near Lucca)
(Third Sunday of June)
Stella e Mercanti
Evening market of handicrafts with music and animation
Location: Greve in Chianti
(Third Saturday of June)
Fiera di Giugno
Festival with gastrinomical products and local handicrafts.
Location: Castelnuovo Berardenga
(Third Sunday of June)
Trofeo Isabella de' Medici
A competition with the balestra.
Location: Cerreto Guidi (near Florence)
(Fourth Sunday of June)
Palio della rana
A traditional frog race which includes a parade in historical costume.
Location: Laterina (near Arezzo)
(Last weekend of June)
Rappresentazione del Bruscello
Il Bruscello, a traditional form of song and theater typical of the peasants and farm workers.
Location: Castelnuovo berardenga
(From Thursday to Sunday of the last week of June)
Sagra degli strozzapreti
Typical cuisine of the Maremma area of Tuscany accompanied by music, dance and exhibitions. There is also a small amusement park for children.
Location: Roccastrada (Grosseto)
14 June - 15 September
Leaning Tower of Pisa night-time opening
For the summer the leaning tower of Pisa will be opened also during the evening from 20.30 to 23.00.
Location: Pisa
(Penultimate Saturday of June)
La Giostra del Saracino(The Saracino Joust)
The four doors of Arezzo divide the city centre into 4 parts. Each zone has its own colours and competes against the others in this traditional event that has its origins in 1200.
The event lasts the whole day but the joust itself occurs at about 17.00. From 15.30 there is a parade of all the participants and their horses.
For tickets contact: giostradelsaracino@comune.arezzo.it
Location: Arezzo
(third weekend of June)
Giostra dei Bastoni
The remaking of an historical event. It takes place in the streets of San Gimignano where there will also be stands with various items of medieval times. During the event there will be a historical procession and a tornamento held on horseback. There is an entrance fee. For more information contact prolocsg@tin.it
Location: San Gimignano
24 June
Calcio Storico (historic soccer)
This is a brutal traditional game of Florence. The 4 teams play to win a 'Palio' and a white heifer. Each team represents a zone of the city. This is a no rules game and everything is allowed, there is a large feast in the winning part of the city after the game. The game begins at 17.00 in Piazza Santa Croce. For more information click here
Location: Florence
26 June
Calcio Storico (historic soccer)
This is a brutal traditional game of Florence. The 4 teams play to win a 'Palio' and a white heifer. Each team represents a zone of the city. This is a no rules game and everything is allowed, there is a large feast in the winning part of the city after the game. This is the second game and begins at 17.00 in Piazza Santa Croce. For more information click here
Location: Florence
(Last Sunday of June)
Corrida del Maiale(pig race)
Pigs are raced in the village streets for a prize.
Location: Petroio, Trequanda
29 June
The Palio preparations
9.30 Heats to select the horses that will run on the 2 July.
13.00 Horses are allocated to the contradas
19.30 The first trial run.
Location: Piazza del Campo - Siena
30 June
Palio preprarations
9.30 Second trial run
19.30 Third trial run
Location: Piazza del Campo - Siena
July
3rd July
Calcio Storico (historic soccer)
This is a brutal traditional game of Florence. The 4 teams play to win a 'Palio' and a white heifer. Each team represents a zone of the city. This is a no rules game and everything is allowed, there is a large feast in the winning part of the city after the game. This is the final game and begins at 17.00 in Piazza Santa Croce.
Location: Florence
Chianti Festival
This is an excellent musical festival which takes place in the various Chianti towns. For the program click here If you would like to go to some concerts yet can't access the link to the program please contact us and we can let you know what events are happening where.
Location: various Chianti towns
2 July
Il Palio
The world famous horse race of Siena. This is an event not to be missed. If you are planning to watch it from the square, where entrance is free, make sure you bring lots to drink as it gets extremely hot and there are lots of people which causes it to be even hotter. For full information on the Palio click here
Location: Siena
(From Thursday to Sunday of the first week of July)
Sagra degli strozzapreti
Typical cuisine of the Maremma area of Tuscany accompanied by music, dance and exhibitions. There is also a small amusement park for children.
Location: Roccastrada (Grosseto)
Monteriggioni medieval festival
This is a beautiful festival to see, there are not only various stalls where you can get something to eat and wine to drink but there are also several replays of how the people lived in the medieval days. Every day there is also several special events which range from concerts to a falcon demonstration.
There is an entry fee to the festival. Click here for the website which is only in Italian.
Location: Monteriggioni
Umbria Jazz
This a world famous Jazz festival that lasts for 10 days. The streets of the old centre of Perugia are filled with musicians and street artists from morning to late night. In the evenings there are concerts that often host some of the biggest Jazz names.
This is an event that is not to be missed. It is best to go late week and the weekend as this is when the best concerts are on. During this period Perugia is alive with the music and people, the atmosphere is something that you never forget.
Click here for their website
Location: Perugia
Settimana musicale senese
Classical muscial week for a program of the various events some with international artists contact accademia.chigiana@chigiana.it or visit www.chigiana.it
Location: Siena
Arezzo Wave
This event takes place at the stadium of Arezzo, which is filled with music, stalls selling all sorts of items and food stalls. This is a festival for young people as it is basically a concert with various stalls around. It is not a traditional event but an event to which many young locals go in order to pass an evening.
For more information: http://www.arezzowave.com/
Location: Arezzo stadium
Pistoia Blues
A blues festival in the streets and clubs of Pistoia.On one of the nights Ike Turner and his band will perform. For full information click here to visit the official website.
Location: Pistoia
Puccini festival
An opera festival in honor of Giacomo Puccini. Ideal to combine with a visit to the beautiful city of Lucca. For more information, including the program and ticket information visit the site www.puccinifestival.it
Location: Lucca
Lucca Summer festival
Throughout July there is a selection of concerts that take place in Piazza Napoleone inside the city walls. Lucca has a selection of car parks, some are free and some paid. The town council operates a shuttle bus service from the car parks outside the walls into the centre. For more information and tickets visit the website www.summer-festival.com
Location: Lucca
(Several weekends of July)
Treno Natura
Enjoy an interesting train ride in a vintage train around Tuscany with stops in several Tuscan towns. This is an ideal way to view the spectacular landscape of Tuscany. Tickets must be booked in advance. For more info see www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Location: Departing from Siena Station
First Sunday of July
Festa tra le mure
A sagra with stalla of various objects
Location: Radicondoli (near Siena)
Wednesdays and Fridays of July
Sere d'Estate
Summer evenings with shops open after hours, street stalls of handmade products and local produce.
Location: Fucecchio (near Florence)
First Sunday of July
Sagra del Cinghiale
A sagra of wild boar
Location: Cantagallo (near Prato)
(First Sunday of July)
Antichi mestieri
Old trades.
Location: Marina di Grosseto
(First Sunday of July)
Festa in Piazza
Evening street market with fireworks at midnight.
Location: Piombino
(Second and third weekend of July)
Sagra della trippa
A sagra based on the traditional travellers dish of tripe.
Location: Buti (Near Pisa)
(Second weekend of July)
Aspettando la battaglia
A reinaction of the events before the historical battle of Cascina between Pisa and Florence in 1364
Location: Cascina
(Second Sunday of July)
Mercatino dell'antiquariato
Antique and used items fair and market.
Location: Altopascio (near Lucca)
(Second Sunday of July)
Sagrafoglia Tonda
Venison and typical mountain products.
Location: Cantagallo (near Prato)
(Third Saturday and Sunday of July)
Maremma Antiquaria
Antiques market which also has come collectionist items
Location: Marina di Grosseto
(Third Saturday and Sunday of July)
Mercato dell'antiquariato
Antiques market .
Location: Lucca
(Third Sunday of July)
Festa della Batitura
A festival dedicated to the traditions of the chiantigiana agriculture with a market of various produce and handmade products.
Location: Tavarnelle val di Pesa
(Third and Fourth weekend of July)
Sagra della patata
A sagra based on potatoes
Location: Roccastrada
(Fourth Sunday of July)
Sagra della bistecca
A sagra based on the fiorentine steak
Location: Levane, Montevarchi
(The last week of July)
Sagra del pesce
A sagra based on fish
Location: Piombino
(Third weekend of July)
Feast of the Swifts
In the locality of La Villa near Radda in Chianti, a small fair with food stalls, artisan market, children's games and music.
Location: La Villa, Radda in Chianti
August
14 August
The Palio preparations
9.30 Heats to select the horses that will run on the 16 August.
13.00 Horses are allocated to the contradas
19.30 The first trial run.
for more information on the Palio click here
Location: Piazza del Campo - Siena
Puccini festival
An opera festival in honor of Giacomo Puccini. Ideal to combine with a visit to the beautiful city of Lucca. For more information, including the program and ticket information visit the site www.puccinifestival.it
Location: Lucca
Estate Musical Chigiana
A classical concerts held in the Palazzo Pubblico, for more information email accademia.chigiana@chigiana.it or visit the website a www.chigiana.it
Location: Siena
Tuscan Sun Festival
A music and arts festival that brings world-class musicians to Cortona, as well as presenting local delicacies, wines, art exhibits, literary and cooking events and wellness sessions
For more info visit www.tuscansunfestival.com
Location: Cortona
2 August
Luminaria
A procession of illuminated fishing boats in honour of the patron saint.
Location: Porto Santo Stefano
(First Sunday)
Sagra dei crostini
Crostini are toasted sliced bread with various toppings, typically they are eaten as a starter. This is a small sagra but the crostini are excellent and you choose from many different types. There are also first and second courses available but you can fill up easily on all the crostini available. At this sagra you help yourself and pay for what you take.
Location: Ruffolo, Siena
(first sunday)
Festa del ringraziamento
A festival where the people of San Gimignano celebrate and thank their patron saint after whom the town is named. There is a ceremony in the cathedral.
Location: San Gimignano
13 August
Tratta e prima prova del Palio di Siena
The horses that will run in the Palio are assigned to the contradas in the morning and at 19.15 the first trial run takes place.
Location: Piazza del Campo, Siena
10 August
San Lorenzo
A regata on special wooden boats between the young of port of Giglio
Location: Isola del Giglio
10 August
Balestro del Girifalco
A historical crossbow tornament. Before the tornament starts there is a parade in historical costume.
Location: Massa Marittima
14 August*
Provaccia del giostra del Saracino
The trial runs for the joust of Saracino, held in the Piazza Bargagli
Location: Sarteano
15 August*
Palio marinaro
This traditional boat race is preceeded by a procession in costume.
Location: Porto Santo Stefano
15 August*
Palio marinaro
A boat race recently introduced as a tourist attraction.
Location: Castiglione della Pescaia
15 August*
Palio preprarations
9.30 Second trial run
19.30 Third trial run
Location: Piazza del Campo - Siena
16 August*
Il Palio
The world famous horse race of Siena. This is an event not to be missed. If you are planning to watch it from the square, where entrance is free, make sure you bring lots to drink as it gets extremely hot and there are lots of people which causes it to be even hotter. For full information on the Palio click here
Location: Siena
17 August*
Procession of victory
The contrada who wins the Palio parades through the city in celebration showing off the Palio which was won. There are drummers and flag bearers who accompany the Palio.
Location: Siena
(the week of the last Sunday)
Bravio delle Botti
The 8 contradas of Montepulciano compete rolling barrels through the main street of the city. During this week the contradas practice in the evenings.
Location: Montepulciano
Bravio delle Botti
At 9.00 the starting order and the allocation of the barrels is done. At 15.00 there is a historical procession through the city. At 19.30 the race takes place after which there is a dinner in all the contradas of the city.
Location: Montepulciano
Music Fest Perugia
This classical music festival is held over two weeks in August, MusicFestPerugia produces classical concerts in the historical and sumptuous surroundings of Sala dei Notari, Basilica di San Pietro, the Cattedrale di San Lorenzo and the Caio Melisso. Performed by a combination of world famous professionals, and their most promising students, MusicFestPerugia aims to keep the classical repertoire vibrant and alive"
website: www.musicfestperugia.net/
Location: Perugia
(Last weekend)
Feast of Forgiveness
In the evenings in the town live music and dance, food stands and pizza, crafts market, with fireworks on the last evening.
Location: Radda in Chianti
September
(Several weekends of September)
Treno Natura
Enjoy an interesting train ride in a vintage train around Tuscany with stops in several Tuscan towns. This is an ideal way to view the spectacular landscape of Tuscany. Tickets must be booked in advance. For more info see www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Location: Departing from Siena Station
(first weekend of September)
Sagra della Pizza
A pizza sagra
Location: Collesalvetti (Livorno province)
(first weekend of September)
Sagra dei sapori antichi
A sagra of old traditional Tuscan flavours.
Location: Guardistallo (Pisa province)
(first Sunday of September)
Festa del Perdono
Location: Montevarchi (Arezzo province)
(for 10 days from the first Friday of September)
Sagra della Zuppa di Pane
A bread soup festival, this is a very typical soup of Tuscany and worth tasting.
Location: Roccastrada (Grosseto province)
(First Sunday of September)
La Giostra del Saracino(The Saracino Joust)
The four doors of Arezzo divide the city centre into 4 parts. Each zone has its own colours and competes against the others in this traditional event that has its origins in 1200.
The event lasts the whole day but the joust itself occurs at about 17.00. From 15.30 there is a parade of all the participants and their horses.
For tickets contact: giostradelsaracino@comune.arezzo.it
Location: Arezzo
(first Wednesday of September)
Fiera merci varie
a market of various goods.
Location: Greve in Chianti
(first Sunday of September)
Fiera del settembre Rapolanese
A september local village festival
Location: Rapolano Terme (Siena province)
(first Sunday of September)
Fiera d'era
A local festival of animals and other local products.
Location: Mulino d'era (Near Volterra)
(second Friday in September)
Rievocazione storica
The little hamlet is transformed into how life was in the 1500s with various well know people from the De' Medici court during 1570.
Location: Cerreto Guidi (Florence province)
(The first Sunday of September)
Sagra del dolce
A dessert and sweets sagra
Location: Montalcinello (Siena province)
(Second Sunday of September)
Sagra del panello con l'uva
A local grape sagra
Location: Neri (Near Cavriglia in Arezzo province)
(Second Sunday of September)
Palio dei ciuchi
A local fair with a traditional donkey race and parade in historical costume.
Location: Campagnatico (Grosetto province)
(second sunday)
Corsa delle ranocchie - Frog race
A festival where the participants have to run around the square pushing a small cart with 3 frogs. If the frogs jump off the participant must stop, collect his frog and continue. The event is entertaining as the frogs do not always cooperate and hop into the crowds, with their owner trying to catch them.
Location: Paganico
(second Sunday in September)
Sagra della bruschetta
Bruschetta is toasted bread with various toppings, favorite ones are chopped tomatoes or olive oil and garlic.
Location: Monti in Chianti (near Gaiole)
(second week in September)
Rassegna del Chianti Classico
A festival for the Chianti Classico. Friday from 17.00 - 22.00 and Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 - 22.00
Location: Greve in Chianti
(second Sunday in September)
Fiera internazionale degli uccelli
An exhibition of birds and other domestic animals
Location: Capannoli (Pisa province)
(second Sunday in September)
Palio dei Ciuchi
A local festival with a donkey race and historical parade.
Location: Greve in Chianti
(Second and third weekends of September)
Sagra della polenta e dei porcini
A polenta and porcini mushroom sagra
Location: Poggio alla Malva (Near Carmingnano in Pistoia province)
(Third weekend of September)
Panzano Wine Festival
Location: Panzano
(Second Sunday of September)
Sagra della zuppa
A sagra of the local bread soup
Location: Fuccechio (Florence province)
(Third Sunday of September)
Maremma antiquaria
A antiques and collectionist market
Location: Marina di Grosseto
(Third Sunday of September)
Mercato dell'antiquariato
An antiques market
Location: Lucca
(Third Sunday of September)
Strada in fiera
A local village street fair
Location: Strada in Chianti
(Third Sunday of September)
Festa medioevale
A medieval festival with typical and traditional local products
Location: Palaia (Pisa province)
(The two weekends of the second half of September)
Festa della vendemmia
A grape harvest festival
Location: San Casciano al di pesa (Florence province)
(Last Sunday of September)
Fiera di Settembre
A local village September festival
Location: San Donato in poggio (Florence province)
October
Eurochocolate
Never mind waiting until Christmas to immerse yourself in one of life's sweetest pleasures. Chocolate-lovers looking to satisfy their cravings can book a week-long trip with To Tuscany Villas to Perugia's Eurochocolate Festival in October.
Perugia's Eurochocolate Festival is Europe's most famous festival of its kind and is set to fill the streets of Umbria's capital city mid October with a celebration of all things chocolaty. Featuring chocolate from all over Europe, visitors will be able to delight in free sample tastings, visit related exhibitions and demonstrations, sample some of the latest chocolate-based beauty treatments and even marvel at huge chocolate sculptures carved in the Piazza IV Novembre. Wandering through the medieval streets, they will find the main piazzas and streets are scattered with stalls selling chocolate in its pure form or blended into ice creams, cakes, pastries and even savoury dishes. For those looking to brush up on their culinary skills, there are chocolate cooking classes, while informative seminars will educate people in the nutritional and dietary benefits of the tasty treat.
The chocolate festival is of course also the perfect excuse to visit the medieval city of Perugia, known as 'The Green Heart of Italy'. Special guided tours of the city, a wealth of architecture and surrounding countryside to explore and an abundance of chocolate will all make for a delicious week away.
See the website http://www.eurochocolate.com/
Location: Perugia
November
Treno natura
A special steam train that goes from Siena to San Giovanni d'Asso. Allowing you to enjoy the truffle festival at San Giovanni. Tickets must be booked. For more information contact www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Location: Departure from Siena station
December
Mercatino di Natale - Christmas market
A small Christmas market held in the town of Buonconvento. Often interesting just to browse.
Location: Buonconvento
Treno natura
A special vintage train that goes from Siena to Torrenierri. This trip is organised to correspond with the San Quirico oil festival . Tickets must be booked. For more information contact www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Location: Departure from Siena station
Mostra di Presepi - Exhibition of Nativity Scenes
This is an interesting exhibition of different nativity se made by the people of the town. It is facinating for the young and old. The exhibition lasts the whole of December.
Location: Bettolle center
24 December
Messa di Natale - Christmas mass
Location: The Cathedral of Siena
25 December
Messa di Natale - Christmas mass
Location: The Cathedral of Siena
