If I could spend an entire year in Italy, how
would I pass my time? What a wonderful dilemma that would be! There’s no
shortage of interesting events going on all year long: music, sports, religious
celebrations, and festivals for everything from crickets to truffles. Here’s a small
sampling of events taking place in Italy for every month of the year.
– January –
Epiphany
Fair (Rome)
This open air market in Piazza Navona is a continuation
This open air market in Piazza Navona is a continuation
of the Christmas market with a children’s carousel, sweets
and
scary-looking Befana dolls (the Italian Santa Claus).
– February –
Carnevale (Venice)
Masks and elaborate costumes
are the highlight of this centuries-old celebration.
are the highlight of this centuries-old celebration.
For more
information: Venice Carnival
– March –
Vinitaly (Verona)
This international wine
competition
features wine tastings, exhibits and fine cuisine.
– April –
Festa della Primavera (Rome)
Azalea blooms cascade down the Spanish Steps
and concerts are held in Santa Trinita dei Monti church
during this annual Spring Festival.
during this annual Spring Festival.
Venetian Carnevale Masks |
– May –
Festa
del Grillo (Florence)
You can also welcome spring with food,
entertainment and your own caged cricket
entertainment and your own caged cricket
(but the traditional live bugs are now history).
– June –
Calcio
Storico (Florence)
This ancient version of football is played
in historical costume
in the city’s largest square, Piazza Santa Croce.
– July –
Il Palio (Siena)
Riders race
bareback around Il Campo,
the main square of Siena, in this 700 year old horse race.
For more information: The Palio
the main square of Siena, in this 700 year old horse race.
For more information: The Palio
Festa
del Redentore (Venice)
Fireworks, gondola races and a floating pontoon
bridge
– August –
Venice
Film Festival (Venice)
Stars from around the world converge on the
Venice Lido
to schmooze and win accolades for their latest films.
For more information: Venice International Film Festival
For more information: Venice International Film Festival
– September –
Regata
Storica (Venice)
This historical gondola regatta takes place in the shadow
of grand palazzos along the city's Grand Canal.
For more information: Regata Storico
of grand palazzos along the city's Grand Canal.
For more information: Regata Storico
– October –
EuroChocolate (Perugia)
A celebration of all things chocolate, the 2015 festival will feature
the world’s largest chocolate mustache sculpture.
For more information: Eurochocolate
Fiera
del Tartufo Bianco (Alba)
For those who prefer the non-chocolate sort of truffle,
head to Alba for donkey races, medieval re-enactments and precious white truffles.
For more information: Alba White Truffle Fair
head to Alba for donkey races, medieval re-enactments and precious white truffles.
For more information: Alba White Truffle Fair
– November –
Sagra
del Cinghiale (Livorno)
This festival celebrating the wild boar of Tuscany includes an
archery contest, costume parade and, of course, food.
archery contest, costume parade and, of course, food.
– December –
Christmas
at the Vatican (Rome)
Witness the lighting of the huge Christmas
tree in St. Peter’s Square
and attend Christmas Eve Mass with the pope.
St. Peter's Basilica, Rome |
The only event I've participated in is Festa del Redentore in Venice. We joined the crowds walking across the floating pontoon bridge to the Redentore Church, marvelled at the fireworks display and watched gondola races on the Giudecca Canal. The whole city turned out to celebrate!
Have you attended any of these uniquely Italian celebrations?
Next: "Z" is for Zucchini
Redentore Church |
Boats Gather for the Fireworks Display |
Gondola Races on the Giudecca Canal |
Have you attended any of these uniquely Italian celebrations?
Next: "Z" is for Zucchini
While I have three cousins who left the states to live in Europe, not one of them lives in Italy. And they are all Italian! I would love to live in Europe, but I would be too far from my family. I don't know how my cousin does it with having two children overseas for so many years.
ReplyDeleteYes, it would be very difficult being so far away from family. I have a niece in Australia - we all really miss her!
DeleteSounds like you would spend your time enjoying festivals. What a thrill that year would be.
ReplyDeleteI'd certainly love to check out a few - wine, chocolate....
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