{"id":14248,"date":"2020-01-23T18:12:30","date_gmt":"2020-01-23T18:12:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogadmin.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/?p=14248"},"modified":"2024-11-26T10:14:23","modified_gmt":"2024-11-26T10:14:23","slug":"italian-festivals-guide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide","title":{"rendered":"The Complete Guide to Italy&#8217;s Festivals and Celebrations"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No matter what time of year you visit, there\u2019s always plenty to do in Italy! Of course, you\u2019ll be spoiled for choice with so many monuments, museums, and towns to see, but participating in local festivals is hands down the best way to experience Italy\u2019s festivals and authentic culture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Famous celebrations like <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carnevale<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and large music festivals tend to dominate the center stage, but lesser known gems like <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ferragosto<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regata<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are equally worth investigating. So, get your calendar ready for an exciting lineup of Italian festivals!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20945\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20945\" class=\"wp-image-20945 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/alfonso-scarpa-e12EkMYv44U-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Woman making a heart sign in Italy's festival\" width=\"1200\" height=\"1800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/alfonso-scarpa-e12EkMYv44U-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/alfonso-scarpa-e12EkMYv44U-unsplash-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/alfonso-scarpa-e12EkMYv44U-unsplash-1024x1536.jpg 1024w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20945\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You\u2019ll end up in love with more than one of this Italian festivals and celebrations. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@lucidistortephoto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Alfonso Scarpa<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_80 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#Planning_your_visit\" >Planning your visit<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#Winter\" >Winter<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#January_1_Capodanno\" >January 1: Capodanno<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#January_6_Epiphany\" >January 6: Epiphany<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#February_Carnevale\" >February: Carnevale<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#Spring\" >Spring<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#April_3_Ravello_Concerts\" >April 3: Ravello Concerts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#April_10_Procession_of_The_Mysteries_Sicily\" >April 10: Procession of The Mysteries, Sicily<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#April_12_Easter_Sunday_and_the_Scoppio_del_Carro_fireworks_Florence\" >April 12: Easter Sunday and the Scoppio del Carro fireworks, Florence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#April_13_Pasquetta\" >April 13: Pasquetta<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#April_19-22_Vinitaly_Verona\" >April 19-22: Vinitaly, Verona<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#April_21_Romes_Birthday_Celebration\" >April 21: Rome\u2019s Birthday Celebration<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#April_25_Italian_Liberation_Day_St_Marks_Day_Venice\" >April 25: Italian Liberation Day &amp; St. Mark\u2019s Day, Venice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#May_1_Labor_Day\" >May 1: Labor Day<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#May_24_La_Cavalcata_Sarda_Sardinia\" >May 24: La Cavalcata Sarda, Sardinia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#May_23-November_29_Venice_Biennale\" >May 23-November 29: Venice Biennale<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#May_15_Festa_dei_Ceri_in_Gubbio\" >May 15: Festa dei Ceri in Gubbio<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#Summer\" >Summer<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#May_31_Vogalonga_Regata_Venice\" >May 31: Vogalonga Regata, Venice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#June_2_Anniversary_of_the_Republic\" >June 2: Anniversary of the Republic<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#June_16-17_Festival_of_St_Ranieri_Pisa\" >June 16-17: Festival of St. Ranieri, Pisa<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#June-August_International_Festival_of_Arts_in_Taormina_Sicily\" >June-August: International Festival of Arts in Taormina, Sicily<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#June_%E2%80%93_September_Taormina_Opera_Festival\" >June \u2013 September: Taormina Opera Festival<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#June_13-September_05_Verona_Arena_Summer_Opera_Season\" >June 13-September 05: Verona Arena Summer Opera Season<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#July_10-19_Umbria_Jazz_Perugia\" >July 10-19: Umbria Jazz, Perugia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#August_15_Ferragosto\" >August 15: Ferragosto<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#August_16_Palio_dellAssunta_Siena\" >August 16: Palio dell\u2019Assunta, Siena<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#FallWinter\" >Fall\/Winter<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#September_Regata_Storica_di_Venezia\" >September: Regata Storica di Venezia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#September_2-12_77th_Venice_International_Film_Festival\" >September 2-12: 77th Venice International Film Festival<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-31\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#October-November_Italys_Sagre_Harvest_Festivals\" >October-November: Italy\u2019s Sagre Harvest Festivals<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-32\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#October_16-25_Eurochocolate_in_Perugia\" >October 16-25: Eurochocolate in Perugia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-33\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#November_1_All_Saints_Day\" >November 1: All Saint\u2019s Day<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-34\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#December_8_Immaculate_Conception\" >December 8: Immaculate Conception<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-35\" href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/things-to-do\/italian-festivals-guide\/#December_25-26_Christmas_Day_and_Santo_Stefano\" >December 25-26: Christmas Day and Santo Stefano<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Planning_your_visit\"><\/span>Planning your visit<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The great thing about Italy is that there\u2019s almost always some kind of event happening\u2013no matter when you visit. With just a little planning, you can make sure that you\u2019re ready to take advantage of the festivities! <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To help, we\u2019ve compiled a little cheat sheet of our favorite Italian festivals and celebrations, including <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/traditions-2\/italian-national-holidays\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">public holidays in Italy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">An important thing to keep in mind is that festivals often mean that other establishments\u2013stores, car rental places, etc.\u2013are closed while restaurants and hotels can book up fast. This is especially true of smaller towns. But that\u2019s no reason to miss out!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All it takes is a little advance planning and research, and you can take full advantage of the seasonal festivities. That\u2019s where we come in. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With this breakdown of Italy\u2019s festivals, you can plan your next Italian getaway to coincide with one of the many unique and exciting events going on throughout the year!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14792\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14792\" class=\"wp-image-14792 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Carnevale_di_Palazzolo.jpg\" alt=\"Carnival in Sicily, Palazzolo Acreide\" width=\"1280\" height=\"960\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-14792\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carnival in Sicily, Palazzolo Acreide. A memorable and unique experience. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Mikystar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Mikystar<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Winter\"><\/span>Winter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"January_1_Capodanno\"><\/span>January 1: Capodanno<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Capodanno<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is what Italians call New Year\u2019s Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ring in the New Year on December 31st in bars, restaurants and even <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/italian-piazzas\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">piazzas<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> throughout Italy, where you\u2019ll undoubtedly see fireworks, and indulge in some of the traditional (and mouthwatering) <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/italian-foods-for-winter\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">food<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although most stores and restaurants are closed on January 1, keep an eye out for special events around the city. In Venice, for example, there\u2019s a traditional swim in the lagoon. Even though we <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/rome\/getting-in-trouble-italy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">usually don\u2019t recommend swimming in Venice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, this is a great exception\u2013if you can stand the freezing water!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"January_6_Epiphany\"><\/span>January 6: Epiphany<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Catholic tradition, the Epiphany is when the three wise men finally reach the baby Jesus to worship him and give him gifts of frankincense, gold, and myrrh.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, it\u2019s an important Italian festival for children because of the arrival of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/traditions-2\/introducing-la-befana-an-italian-christmas-tradition-with-video\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">La Befana<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, an old lady who arrives on a broomstick and fills children\u2019s shoes or stockings with candy.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though most stores and markets will be closed on this day, many Italian streets will be filled with parades and street fairs in celebration. There will also be boat races in Venice where the racers dress up as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">La Befana<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> herself!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"February_Carnevale\"><\/span>February: <em>Carnevale<\/em><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The dates you can celebrate <em>Carnevale<\/em> in Venice change every year, as the celebration follows the liturgical calendar, so make sure to confirm the exact dates in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/carnevale.venezia.it\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the official website of the Venice Carnival<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most of the major festivities for this quintessential Italian festival come alive on the weekends, especially the final weekend of the celebration.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Farther south, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/viareggio.ilcarnevale.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Viareggio<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> has wonderful <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carnevale<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> celebrations each Sunday during February with massive man-made floats. Themes range from nice scenes to satirical political commentary\u2013each well worth seeing!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Finally, on the last three days of the festival, you can go to celebrate <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carnevale<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.storicocarnevaleivrea.it\/en\/home\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ivrea<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a small town in Piedmont where the carnival celebrations conclude with The Battle of the Oranges\u2013a massive food fight where oranges are thrown at opposing groups.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While oranges might sound a little violent, keep in mind that the fight commemorates a medieval battle between the townsfolk and the nobility which resulted in the torching of the local castle.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/all-about-carnival-in-venice-venetian-masks-and-more\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venice\u2019s world-famous carnival festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> receives the most attention, it\u2019s not the only carnival celebration in Italy. Check out <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/carnival-in-italy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">the best places to celebrate Carnival in Italy<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a complete list!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_14486\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-14486\" class=\"wp-image-14486 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Carnevale-venice.jpg\" alt=\"Carnevale Masks in Venice\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Carnevale-venice.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Carnevale-venice-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Carnevale-venice-1536x1024.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-14486\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Carnevale Masks in Venice. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/pixabay.com\/users\/lunarseaart-4038246\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ruth Archer<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Spring\"><\/span>Spring<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_3_Ravello_Concerts\"><\/span>April 3: Ravello Concerts<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ravello is a popular destination for travelers year-round but it fills up even more during select dates in the spring and autumn for the annual <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ravellofestival.info\/2022\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ravello Arts Concerts<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Far from the throngs of summer tourists, this is a time when music lovers fill the gardens and banquet halls of the historic Villa Rufolo for concerts. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Although it began as a chamber music festival, the event has expanded to incorporate jazz music as well as a variety of other disciplines including art shows, dance performances and exhibitions. Today, it boasts more than 1,750 concerts during the two concert seasons, which means there\u2019s sure to be something to suit everyone!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_10_Procession_of_The_Mysteries_Sicily\"><\/span>April 10: Procession of The Mysteries, Sicily<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s common to find processions and pilgrimages filling streets across Sicily during the Easter Holy Week, but perhaps the most famous of all is the Procession of The Mysteries. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Held in Trapani since 1400, it\u2019s one of the oldest Italian festivals and, at a staggering 24 hours, it\u2019s also one of the longest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The mysteries are representations of the passion and death of Christ. They\u2019re paraded through the city along with lights, sounds, and surprisingly emotional crowds.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The procession begins at <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Anime Sante del Purgatorio<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Church at 2 p.m. on Good Friday and ends with a return to the church at 2 p.m. on Black Saturday. A cultural as well as religious event, if you\u2019re looking for an authentic Italian festival this is one not to be missed.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20946\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20946\" class=\"wp-image-20946 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1280px-Ferita_al_costato.jpeg\" alt=\"Procession of the Mysteries in Sicily\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1280px-Ferita_al_costato.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1280px-Ferita_al_costato-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20946\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The whole city of Trapani changes and moves around the procession of the Mysteries. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Ferita_al_costato.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Esparco86<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_12_Easter_Sunday_and_the_Scoppio_del_Carro_fireworks_Florence\"><\/span>April 12: Easter Sunday and the <em>Scoppio del Carro<\/em> fireworks, Florence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you&#8217;re planning to spend <a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/easter-holidays-italy\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Easter in Italy, here are 5 things you need to know<\/a>. If you&#8217;re spending it in Florence, read on and discover the story of the &#8220;explosion of the cart.&#8221;<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Though Easter Sunday is celebrated with parades and events throughout all of Italy, one of the most memorable is the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scoppio del Carro<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/hotels\/where-to-stay-in-florence\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Florence<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Literally translated as the \u201cexplosion of the cart,&#8221; this folk tradition commemorates the actions of a young man called Pazzino, a member of Florence\u2019s prominent Pazzi family.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">During the First Crusade he was the first knight to go through the breach in the sacking of Jerusalem and was given three stone fragments from the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem as a prize. When he returned, he used the fragments to start a Sacred Fire before the people of Florence.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Nowadays, this Italian festival reenacts the scene in its entirety. On Easter Sunday, a large wagon filled with fireworks departs from <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Porta al Prato<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, hauled by a team of white oxen with soldiers, musicians, and others, following in 15th-century costumes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A fire is started using the historic stone, then used to light a string that leads to the cart outside. At the same time Giotto\u2019s Bell Tower bells ring out. The entire firework show usually lasts about 20 minutes and is said to bring good luck\u2013but you\u2019ll want to get there in advance as this free festival fills up fast!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_13_Pasquetta\"><\/span>April 13: Pasquetta<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The day after Easter\u2013aka <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pasquetta<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or \u201cLittle Easter\u201d in Italian\u2013is a national holiday in Italy, and great for Italians, who get the day off work! This is a classic day to meet up with friends post-Easter and head outside to enjoy the new spring weather.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most families will use this time to enjoy food leftover from the Easter celebrations and festivities. While you\u2019ll find that most sites and museums are open, to celebrate like the locals we suggest preparing a picnic and joining the rest of Italy outside in a nearby park.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_19-22_Vinitaly_Verona\"><\/span>April 19-22: Vinitaly, Verona<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.vinitaly.com\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">VinItaly<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the largest wine exhibition in the world, and it\u2019s held in the beautiful UNESCO World Heritage city of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/thing-to-do-in-verona\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verona<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For four days visitors can study, taste, buy and share wine in a gathering that also celebrates food, art, and music. For wine aficionados and amateurs alike, this <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/guide-to-italian-wines\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">celebration of Italian wine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is one of the best ways to get a taste of Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_21_Romes_Birthday_Celebration\"><\/span>April 21: Rome\u2019s Birthday Celebration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When in Rome, do as the Romans do. And on April 21st, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/rome\/where-to-stay-in-rome\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> celebrates its birthday in typical Roman fashion \u2013 with a party that lasts for days.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To commemorate the legendary founding of the city by Romulus in 753 B.C., traditional events will take place throughout the city, including the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tracciato del solco<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or trench-digging ritual, re-enactments of the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palilia<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> ceremony honoring the agricultural goddess Pales, mock <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/rome\/roman-colosseum-facts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Colosseum gladiator battles<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and other nods to the Eternal City\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/art-culture\/interesting-facts-about-caesar-augustus\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">epic history and its first emperor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The celebration culminates in a costumed parade beginning (and ending) at the Circus Maximus. There\u2019s no better way than this lighthearted Italian festival to truly partake in the city\u2019s rich history.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20947\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20947\" class=\"wp-image-20947 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Romes_Birthday_Parade_2012_-_panoramio.jpeg\" alt=\"Rome Birthday Parade is a celebration with gladiators\" width=\"1200\" height=\"912\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Romes_Birthday_Parade_2012_-_panoramio.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Romes_Birthday_Parade_2012_-_panoramio-768x584.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20947\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Celebrate Rome&#8217;s birthday with events and parades. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/File:Rome%27s_Birthday_Parade_2012_-_panoramio.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Art Anderson<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"April_25_Italian_Liberation_Day_St_Marks_Day_Venice\"><\/span>April 25: Italian Liberation Day &amp; St. Mark\u2019s Day, Venice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Festa della Liberazione,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or Liberation Day, on April 25th marks the end of WWII in Italy, and the day Italy gained independence following Nazi occupation. Band performances, concerts, food stalls, political rallies, and other public events commemorate the victory of the resistance as well as the end of the Fascist regime.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You\u2019ll see this date on many street signs throughout Italy, and today it stands as a national public holiday, which means that most stores will be closed or operating on weekend hours.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">April 25th also happens to be the feast day of St. Mark, the patron saint of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/venice-tours\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Venetians celebrate their beloved saint with a gondolier <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">regata<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (boat race) and a huge party in Saint Mark\u2019s Square.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The feast day also coincides with an ancient tradition called the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Festa del Bocolo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or \u201cblooming rose festa\u201d, when men present the women in their lives with a red rosebud (<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">bocolo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">). Whatever you\u2019re there to do, expect crowds in Venice and don\u2019t forget to bring a rose for your significant other!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"May_1_Labor_Day\"><\/span>May 1: Labor Day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Another national holiday, May 1st marks Italy\u2019s national Labor Day.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In Rome, it is celebrated with a large concert, or <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">concertone,<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> organized by Italy\u2019s main trade unions, which is used to raise awareness about labor issues in the country.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not only does it attract top artists, it draws attendees from all over the world. On this day, expect major museums to be closed and limited choices for public transportation. Italians are off work en masse and the weather is usually nice, meaning it\u2019s a busy weekend for popular destinations throughout the country.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"May_24_La_Cavalcata_Sarda_Sardinia\"><\/span>May 24: La Cavalcata Sarda, Sardinia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To mark the beginning of spring, Sardinia holds one of its biggest events in Sassari with the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cavalcata Sarda<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or Sardinian Horse Race on the second last Sunday of May.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Participants dressed in traditional costumes parade through town on horseback, before meeting on a race track at the edge of town for horse races and stunts.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Held annually since 1899, the festival marks the day when King Umberto I of Italy visited the city to unveil the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piazza d\u2019Italia<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Today, the two-day event is proof of the Sardinian\u2019s pride in their history, culture, and island.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20948\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20948\" class=\"wp-image-20948 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1280px-Cavalcata_sarda_2013_45.jpeg\" alt=\"La Cavalcata Sarda is one of Italy's festivals you must visit\" width=\"1280\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1280px-Cavalcata_sarda_2013_45.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/1280px-Cavalcata_sarda_2013_45-768x512.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20948\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">If you&#8217;re in Sardinia, don&#8217;t miss <em>la Cavalcata Sarda<\/em>. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Discanto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gianni Careddu<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"May_23-November_29_Venice_Biennale\"><\/span>May 23-November 29: Venice Biennale<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.labiennale.org\/en\/Home.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Venice Biennale<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is an international cultural exhibition held in Venice.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Art, architecture, cinema, dance, theater, and music exhibitions are held in various locations throughout the city, in the main Biennale Garden pavilions and, most notably, in many of the astounding private buildings and villas in Venice.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you have visited the city before and want to peek inside all those beautiful mansions, this is probably the best way without knowing someone who owns one of said mansions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Make sure to check out the official website of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.labiennale.org\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">La Biennale di Venezia<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to check out their massive program and find all the related events and activities of your area of interest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"May_15_Festa_dei_Ceri_in_Gubbio\"><\/span>May 15: <em>Festa dei Ceri<\/em> in Gubbio<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">One of the oldest <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/italian-christmas-legends-folklore\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Italian folklore<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> events, the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Festa dei Ceri<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Gubbio is an annual race devoted to St. Ubaldo, the patron saint of Gubbio.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On May 15th, every year, the people of Gubbio take part in a mystical procession where they carry enormous wooden \u201ccandles\u201d from the town center all the way up Mount Ingino to the Basilica of St. Ubaldo. Each candle is crowned with a statue of a saint and the entire structure weighs around 700 lbs. It\u2019s not a fast race, but it\u2019s certainly a unique one!<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20949\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20949\" class=\"wp-image-20949 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pexels-helena-jankovicova-kovacova-6782032.jpg\" alt=\"Italy's festivals are some of the best in the world\" width=\"1200\" height=\"853\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pexels-helena-jankovicova-kovacova-6782032.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/pexels-helena-jankovicova-kovacova-6782032-768x546.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20949\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Spring is the season to enjoy Italy&#8217;s festivals with costumes and creativity. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pexels.com\/@helen1\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Helena Jankovi\u010dov\u00e1 Kov\u00e1\u010dov\u00e1<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Summer\"><\/span>Summer<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"May_31_Vogalonga_Regata_Venice\"><\/span>May 31: Vogalonga Regata, Venice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The first Vogalonga Regatta took place in 1974, which is young for an Italian festival, but it brought out more than 500 boats and 1,500 rowers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The enormous gondola race was created to protest the use of motor traffic in Venice\u2019s canals and renew a sense of pride in Venetian handicrafts and traditions.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, approximately 1,550 boats with about 5,800 rowers participate every year on Pentecost for the 30-kilometer race through some of the most scenic parts of Venice\u2019s canals and lagoons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"June_2_Anniversary_of_the_Republic\"><\/span>June 2: Anniversary of the Republic<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Festa della Repubblica<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> celebrates the foundation of the Italian Republic. On June 2, 1946, Italians voted in a referendum to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic in its place. Following the results, the Italian royal family, who had ignited unfavorable opinion by supporting Mussolini, were forced to flee Italy.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rome holds the largest celebration but, depending on where you are, you can find anything from parades, festivals and concerts to mark the occasion. Luckily, most major sites and museums remain open.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20950\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20950\" class=\"wp-image-20950 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Festa_della_Repubblica_77.jpeg\" alt=\"Festa della Repubblica\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Festa_della_Repubblica_77.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Festa_della_Repubblica_77-768x576.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20950\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">La Festa della Repubblica is Italy&#8217;s festival to celebrate the creation of the Italian Republic. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Nicholas_Gemini\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Nicholas Gemini<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"June_16-17_Festival_of_St_Ranieri_Pisa\"><\/span>June 16-17: Festival of St. Ranieri, Pisa<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This Italian festival has much older roots, dating from 1688 when the remains of Saint Ranieri were placed in an urn at the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cappella dell\u2019Incoronata<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> at the city\u2019s Cathedral.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A special feast was held including a <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Luminera<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> where the river and prominent buildings were lit up by candlelight and lamps. This was often done during the time to mark special events and occasions, but the tradition has become tied to Saint Ranieri down through the years.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Today, on June 16th, the churches and buildings lining the Arno, including the cathedral housing the saint\u2019s remains, are lit up with over 70,000 lights and candles. The lights are amplified by their reflections in the water, making for a spectacular sight.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The celebration also features fireworks, creating a magnificent spectacle. The <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Festa dei Ranieri<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/leaning-tower-of-pisa-facts\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pisa<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, ends with a spectacular boat race on the Arno River on June 17th (the city\u2019s feast day).<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"June-August_International_Festival_of_Arts_in_Taormina_Sicily\"><\/span>June-August: International Festival of Arts in Taormina, Sicily<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Also known as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/taorminaarte.org\/home-en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taormina Arte<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the town\u2019s reputable cultural festival runs throughout the entire summer and hosts concerts, exhibitions, and the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/taorminafilmfestival.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taormina Film Fest<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, bringing the best of film into a week of premieres and photo shoots akin to the film festival at Cannes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Head to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/sicily\/taormina-giardini-naxos-sicily\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taormina<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the summer and you\u2019ll have your pick of plays, music, dances, cinemas and other events to choose from\u2013including the opera!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"June_%E2%80%93_September_Taormina_Opera_Festival\"><\/span>June \u2013 September: Taormina Opera Festival<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Coinciding with their art festival, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.italianoperataormina.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taormina\u2019s Summer Opera Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> starts in April and runs through the summer, with some concerts running until December. This is a great opportunity to see classics like <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Carmen<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Don Giovanni<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> performed at very reasonable prices.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The shows are performed at the town\u2019s <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teatro Antico<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a huge open-air Greek theater with views across to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/sicily\/mount-etna-tours\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mount Etna<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, as well as the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Teatro Greco<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Syracuse, further down the coast. You can buy your tickets online or at the box office at <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palazzo dei Congressi<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20951\" style=\"width: 1930px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20951\" class=\"wp-image-20951 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/51816668322_ccf9685d19_k.jpg\" alt=\"Italy's festivals in Taormina's Greek Theater\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1248\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/51816668322_ccf9685d19_k.jpg 1920w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/51816668322_ccf9685d19_k-768x499.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/51816668322_ccf9685d19_k-1536x998.jpg 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20951\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Travel through time with Taormina&#8217;s festivals in a great setting. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/137294100@N08\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Radek Kucharski<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"June_13-September_05_Verona_Arena_Summer_Opera_Season\"><\/span>June 13-September 05: Verona Arena Summer Opera Season<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each summer marks the start of <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/thing-to-do-in-verona\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verona\u2019s<\/span> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">incredible summer opera season. With affordable tickets and incredible operas, this is not only the perfect place to dip your toe into the opera world, it also happens in one of the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/attending-opera-in-the-arena-of-verona\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">world\u2019s most jaw-dropping concert venues<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The operas are held in the Verona Arena, an open-air Colosseum equivalent that\u2019s more than 2,000 years old. Like the Colosseum in Rome, it has been used for countless purposes over the years but it gained a new lease of life in 1913, when it began to host operas.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Verona is not the only city in Italy with a musical festival. Besides Taormina, you can also head to <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/tuscany\/visiting-lucca\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lucca<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in northwestern Tuscany for their annual Summer Festival. Here you\u2019ll be treated to some of the best pop and rock of the year. Past performers include John Legend, Take That, Bob Dylan, and Sting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"July_10-19_Umbria_Jazz_Perugia\"><\/span>July 10-19: Umbria Jazz, Perugia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Each July, Perugia hosts a 10-day <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.umbriajazz.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jazz Festival<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Music lovers fill the town\u2019s beautiful <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">piazzas<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, gardens, and wine bars to experience one of the world\u2019s best-known jazz festivals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a university town, Perugia hosts a fair number of international Italian festival events, such as the scrumptious <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eurochocolate.com\/ita\/home.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eurochocolate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and the International Journalism Festival, but there are few things more relaxing than a spectacular jazz concert in an equally spectacular setting.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"August_15_Ferragosto\"><\/span>August 15: Ferragosto<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Feast of the Assumption marks the day the Virgin Mary rose into heaven in the Catholic faith. This Italian festival is now popularly called <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ferragosto<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and it marks the start of the country\u2019s annual vacation period.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">From this date until the beginning of September you\u2019ll find many signs on restaurants and shops in the big cities declaring <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/travel-tips\/august-in-italy\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chiuso per ferie<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or closed for vacation.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Italians typically celebrate Ferragosto by retreating to the coast or countryside with friends and family. Watch out, you might get caught up in the traffic of Italians or the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/italy-beach\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">crowds along the coast<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20952\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20952\" class=\"wp-image-20952 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/gabriella-clare-marino-RXHlWAoypXA-unsplash.jpg\" alt=\"Ferragosto marks a time to go to the beach\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/gabriella-clare-marino-RXHlWAoypXA-unsplash.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/gabriella-clare-marino-RXHlWAoypXA-unsplash-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20952\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Ferragosto is the time Italians decide they&#8217;d rather be out of the cities, enjoying Italy&#8217;s festivals. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/unsplash.com\/@gabiontheroad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Gabriella Clare Marino<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"August_16_Palio_dellAssunta_Siena\"><\/span>August 16: Palio dell\u2019Assunta, Siena<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This ancient horse race is held twice each year, on July 2 and August 16, but the 16th tends to be the most famous, as it\u2019s so near to a national holiday.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Formerly titled <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palio di Siena<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it was renamed the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palio dell\u2019Assunta<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary the day before.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This medieval tradition pits <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/tuscany\/what-to-do-in-siena\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Siena\u2019s<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> different neighborhoods, or<\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> contrade<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, against each other in a hair-raising bareback horse race around the central <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Piazza del Campo, <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">which is covered in dirt for the event. The winning jockey claims bragging rights for his <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">contrada<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for the entire year.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20953\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20953\" class=\"wp-image-20953 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/35519569584_12c54ba382_k.jpg\" alt=\"Summer sunset during Italy's festival season\" width=\"1200\" height=\"823\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/35519569584_12c54ba382_k.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/35519569584_12c54ba382_k-768x527.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20953\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Summertime is an opportunity to be outside, share with friends, and enjoy Italy&#8217;s festivals wherever you go. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/squaresnopoligon\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Filippo Gatteschi<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"FallWinter\"><\/span>Fall\/Winter<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"September_Regata_Storica_di_Venezia\"><\/span>September: Regata Storica di Venezia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Practiced for thousands of years, Venice\u2019s <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.regatastoricavenezia.it\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historical <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Regata<\/span><\/i><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a huge event that includes a water pageant featuring costumes and boats from the 16th-century, with a procession to carry the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/doge-of-venice-marino-faliero\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Doge of Venice<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, his family, and all the officers up the Grand Canal.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">After the event, four different races are held based on age and boat type, but a firm favorite is the <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Campioni su Gondolini<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> race, with small, fast gondolas flying down the Grand Canal to victory.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20954\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20954\" class=\"wp-image-20954 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/52299132362_730fa297e8_k.jpg\" alt=\"Regata Storica di Venezia\" width=\"1200\" height=\"658\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/52299132362_730fa297e8_k.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/52299132362_730fa297e8_k-768x421.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20954\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">La Regata Storica di Venezia is one of Italy&#8217;s festivals you must not miss: history, culture, art and beautiful gondolas! Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/125601701@N03\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Herv\u00e9 Simon<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"September_2-12_77th_Venice_International_Film_Festival\"><\/span>September 2-12: 77th Venice International Film Festival<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alongside Cannes and the Berlin International Film Festival, Venice\u2019s Film Festival is one of the \u2018Big Three\u2019 film festivals in the world. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Founded in 1932 as part of the Venice Biennale\u2013which celebrates international art, architecture, dance, music, theater, and cinema\u2013it is also one of the oldest. <\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Events and screenings take place on the island of Lido in the Venice Lagoon, in the famous <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Palazzo del Cinema<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"October-November_Italys_Sagre_Harvest_Festivals\"><\/span>October-November: Italy\u2019s <i>Sagre <\/i>Harvest Festivals<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">October and November are the prime months for some of the most beloved festivals in Italy \u2013 the delicious <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sagre<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, or food festivals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically based around a single, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/seasonal-eating-in-italy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">seasonal ingredient<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, these festivals celebrate a bountiful harvest and the changing of the season. Some of the most famous are the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/food-and-wine\/food-truffle-festivals-in-italy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">truffle festivals<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Piedmont and Umbria, chestnut <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sagre<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Tuscany, and olive <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sagre<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Puglia.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20955\" style=\"width: 1290px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20955\" class=\"wp-image-20955 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sagre_2014_-_6998.jpeg\" alt=\"Sagre parade, one of Italy's festivals\" width=\"1280\" height=\"857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sagre_2014_-_6998.jpeg 1280w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Sagre_2014_-_6998-768x514.jpeg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1280px) 100vw, 1280px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20955\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">These harvest and food parades and events are some of Italy&#8217;s festivals that will surprise you and delight you. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/commons.wikimedia.org\/wiki\/User:Phyrexian\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Phyrexian<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"October_16-25_Eurochocolate_in_Perugia\"><\/span>October 16-25: Eurochocolate in Perugia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.eurochocolate.com\/ita\/home.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Eurochocolate<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is the International Chocolate Exhibition of Europe. One of the largest chocolate festivals in all of Europe, discover different chocolate flavors and cultures from around the world, participate in cooking classes, performances, chocolate-sculpting displays, and, of course, buy and eat all the chocolate you\u2019d like!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can also take a tour of the chocolate factory or simply peruse the events going on at the squares around Umbria.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Taking place since 1993, when it comes to Italy&#8217;s festival, this one is a true delight for all chocolate lovers!<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"November_1_All_Saints_Day\"><\/span>November 1: All Saint\u2019s Day<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Saint\u2019s Day is part of the oft forgotten <em>Allhallowtide triduum<\/em>, which runs from 31st October \u2013 2nd November, encompassing All Hallow\u2019s Eve, All Saint\u2019s Day and All Soul\u2019s Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All Saint\u2019s Day is a Catholic holiday in commemoration of Saints in general, but particularly to honor those who do not have designated days of their own. In Italy, the day is marked with <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Ceci con le Costine<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a special soup made with chickpeas and pork ribs. Legend has it that if you eat this soup on November 1st, you\u2019ll be blessed with good luck throughout the year.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">According to Pagan beliefs, this time of year was when the veil between the living and the dead was at its thinnest. And so, All Soul\u2019s Day is when the dead are remembered by the living. As well as religious services including prayers for souls in purgatory and the giving of Alms, informal services are held at homes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Because the dead are believed to return on this day, places are left for loved ones during meal times in Italian households. Unsurprisingly, food plays a major part of the festival in Italy, and homemade specialities such as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fave dei morti<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cotognata<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are enjoyed.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_8_Immaculate_Conception\"><\/span>December 8: Immaculate Conception<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A traditionally Catholic holiday celebrating the Virgin Mary\u2019s immaculate conception, Italians use this date to mark the official start of the winter holiday season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This is the weekend when trees, lights, and decorations go up around Italy and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/venice\/at-christmas-in-venice\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Christmas markets spring up in cities<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/all-around-italy\/christmas-markets-italy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">towns<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Typically a long weekend, it\u2019s a great time to soak in the Christmas atmosphere but beware that restaurants and hotels can often book up far in advance.<\/span><\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_20956\" style=\"width: 1210px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-20956\" class=\"wp-image-20956 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/50252304907_235b6b76f8_k.jpg\" alt=\"Italian Christmas Market right after Italy's festivals\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/50252304907_235b6b76f8_k.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/50252304907_235b6b76f8_k-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-20956\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Winter is, of course, the season of Italy&#8217;s festivals regarding Christmas. Photo credit: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.flickr.com\/photos\/billy_wilson\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Billy Wilson<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"December_25-26_Christmas_Day_and_Santo_Stefano\"><\/span>December 25-26: Christmas Day and Santo Stefano<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, you can participate in a midnight mass in any town in Italy, and enjoy the many different nativity scenes set up in seemingly every spare corner.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In some places where the locals take specific pride in their nativity scenes, like <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/umbria\/visit-assisi-italy-attractions\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Assisi<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, some of them may even feature real people and animals!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">On Christmas Day, most things are closed, so if you want to eat out, choose a restaurant beforehand and make a reservation (find out more about <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/how-to\/christmas-food-traditions-in-italy\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">having a Christmas meal in Italy here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The day after Christmas Day is known as St. Stephen\u2019s Day, and it\u2019s also a public holiday in Italy, with banks, museums and shops often staying closed\u2013so plan accordingly!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><em>Update Notice: This post was updated on January 9, 2024<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>No matter what time of year you visit, there\u2019s always plenty to do in Italy! Of course, you\u2019ll be spoiled for choice with so many monuments, museums, and towns to see, but participating in local festivals is hands down the best way to experience Italy\u2019s festivals and authentic culture.\u00a0 Famous celebrations like Carnevale and large [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":61,"featured_media":14484,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[97,84,120,89,82],"ppma_author":[166],"class_list":["post-14248","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-things-to-do","tag-autumn","tag-festivals","tag-spring","tag-summer","tag-winter"],"authors":[{"term_id":166,"user_id":61,"is_guest":0,"slug":"aoifewalks","display_name":"Aoife Bradshaw","avatar_url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/53df06eda4a4ad27ba2bcdeb3ba2913c?s=96&d=mm&r=g","user_url":"","last_name":"Bradshaw","first_name":"Aoife","job_title":"","description":"Aoife Bradshaw is a writer from Ireland with a serious case of wanderlust. Passionate about travel, food, and film, she writes about any and everything cultural. She's happiest when she\u2019s exploring new ideas in different cities, or delving into their history. When she\u2019s not writing she can usually be found on rambling walks, engrossed in a good book or trying her hand at a new recipe. Aoife also contributes to CultureTrip and Hotpress Magazine."}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14248"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/61"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14248"}],"version-history":[{"count":55,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14248\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":22635,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/14248\/revisions\/22635"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/14484"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14248"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=14248"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=14248"},{"taxonomy":"author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.walksofitaly.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/ppma_author?post=14248"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}