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
