(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
