APRIL:
GREVE IN CHIANTI [Firenze]
Festa della Stagione Bona [Celebration
of good season] – 25th
April
Beginning of the good season. There's a procession in renaissance costumes,
a mediaeval market and gastronomic stands with typical products of Chianti.
FIRENZE
Scoppio del carro [Bursting of the
cart] - Sunday morning, Easter
April 4th
Festival with ancient origins.The cart is drawn by white oxen from Piazzale
Porta al Prato to the cathedral. Once it is positioned in front of the
church, a metal wire is connected, through the open doors, to the main
alter. A replica of a dove with an olive branch in its beak and a lit
fuse, is released from the alter and it slides along the wire to ignite
the fireworks on the cart. According to tradition, if the lighting of
the cart comes off well, a good year is predicted for the city of Florence.
POGGIBONSI [Siena]
Festa del patrono San Lucchese with
fireworks [Festival of the Patron] – 28th
April
Saint Lucchese met Saint Francesco of Assisi and decided to live his
life in the same way. So he became a holy man. Now his body rests on
the Basilica of San Lucchese and for the day of his celebration the body
is brought in procession. Stands with typical products, fireworks in
the evening.
MAY:
FIRENZE
73° Maggio Musicale Fiorentino [Musical
May in Florence] - From
April 29th to June 22nd
» www.maggiofiorentino.com
TOSCANA
Cantine Aperte [Open cellars] – Last
Sunday in May
Wine producers open their cellars to the public. It is an excellent opportunity
to enjoy the wines proposed, and also to sample typical traditional products
and dishes.
MASSA MARITTIMA [Grosseto]
Balestro del Girifalco – 4th
Sunday in May
Medieval Festival in honour of Saint Bernardino. Historical crossbow
competition with parade in costume.
MONTESPERTOLI [Firenze]
53rd Chianti Festival - From
28th May to 4th June
Tasting and sale of Chianti D.O.C.G. - Conferences and meetings -Gastronomic
pavilions-Artistic exhibitions-Philatelic exhibition "Wine and Vineyard"-Folkloric
spectacles-Sports manifestations.
JUNE:
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena]
Ferie delle Messi – June
18th, 19th, 20th
Historical re-evocation in the streets and squares of the town, with
medieval stands, parades in costume and a knightly tournament called "Giostra
dei Bastoni".
PISA
Festa di San Ranieri, Santo patrono
di Pisa, Luminaria [Luminaria of S.Ranieri, Patron] - 16th-17th
June
Lights Festival on the streets running along
the river Arno.
PISA
Gioco del Ponte - Last
Sunday in June
Historically event which consists of two distinct parts: the historical
procession along the Arno river which is a huge military parade, and
the battle, that takes place on the Ponte di Mezzo.
AREZZO
Giostra del Saracino – 3rd
Saturday in June
Ancient game on horseback, with an impressive historical procession.
FIRENZE -
Festa di San Giovanni, Calcio storico
in Costume [San Giovanni Feast, Medieval Football Matches & Fireworks]– 24th
June
Florence celebrates this day with the lively medieval football matches
played on Piazza di Sante Croce, ending with a fireworks display over
Piazzale Michelangelo.
FIRENZE
72° Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
[Musical May in Florence] - From
April 29th to June 22nd
» www.maggiofiorentino.com
COLLE VAL D’ELSA [Siena]
-
Sagra della Miseria – From
2nd Saturday to 3rd Sunday in June
Gastonomic Festival discovering the most typical and savoury plates of
this area.
JULY:
SIENA
Palio - 2nd
July - Proceeded by trial races the two days before.
Since 1147 historical secular horse race held in Piazza del Campo, connected
with districts or contradas into which the town is divided.
MONTERIGGIONI [Siena]
Festa Medievale [Medieval Festival] – 1st
and 2nd week-end in July
Representation within the walls of scenes from medieval life. Stalls
inspired by medieval crafts; musicians and figurants in costume move
through the streets of the village.
LUCCA
Festa di San Paolino [S.Paolino Festival] – 12th
July
Torchlight parade and crossbow competition.
CASOLE D’ELSA [Siena]
Palio – 2nd
Sunday in July
Ancient horse race with parade
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena]
International festival of music and
art - July and August
CERTALDO ALTO [Firenze]
Mercantia street Festival – All
days in the 3rd week of July
The streets and the squares of the medieval town animate with artists,
musicians, acrobats, artisans who practise their crafts producing works
of art with iron, copper, ceramics, wood, and glass.
PISTOIA
Giostra dell’Orso [Bear Joust] – July
25th
Held in the Patron day. It is a re-evocation of the ancient "palio
race".
VINCI [Firenze]
Volo di Cecco Santi [Vinci Fair] – Last
Sunday in July.
Fair with historic processions in costume, tournaments, exposition of
local crafts and, of course, gastronomic stands.
AUGUST:
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena]
Classical music concerts and operas
The “Accademia dei Leggieri”, ancient theatrical association
founded in the 16th century, organizes classical music concerts all summer
long.
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena]
Festival of thanksgiving from the people
of San Gimignano to the city's patron saint - Santa Fina
Religious festival -1st sunday of August
Fair -1st Monday of August
Festival of Saint Augustine
Liturgical Services in the Church of Sant’Agostino - August
28th
Saint Augustine's Fair with stalls and stands - August
29th
SIENA
Palio - August
16th
in honour of the “Madonna dell’Assunta”, proceeded
by trial races the two days before. Since 1147 historical secular horse
race held in Piazza del Campo, connected with districts or contradas
into which the town is divided.
TORRE DEL LAGO PUCCINI [Lucca]
Puccini Festival - July-August
Outdoor opera festival. Famous Festival of lyric music since 1930 following
the Giacomo Puccini ‘s wishes.
CORTONA [Arezzo]
Sagra della Bistecca [Steak Festival] – August
15
In a giant barbecue, steaks "alla fiorentina", rigorously of “chianina” meat
race, are cooked as it wants the ancient Tuscan tradition. Stands with
typical Tuscan products.
MASSA MARITTIMA [Grosseto]
Balestra del Girifalco – Second
Sunday in August
Medieval Festival. Historical crossbow competition with parade in costume
MONTEPULCIANO [Siena]
Bravio delle Botti [The race of the
casks] – Last Sunday
in August
It has its origins in the 14th century. Competition in medieval costumes.
SEPTEMBER:
COLLE VAL D’ELSA [Siena]
Mostra del Cristallo [Crystal glass
festival] - Last 15 days in September.
The old part of the village “Castello” becomes a factory
in open air with expert craftsmen attempting to the working of the crystal.
Shops expose and sell crystal objects.
FIRENZE
Festa della Rificolona - 7th
September
Festivity of the florentine tradition with performers of all kind, especially
dedicated to children.
PIENZA [Siena]
Fiera del cacio pecorino [Festival
of pecorino cheese] – 1st
Sunday in September
The capital of pecorino cheese “dresses” with perfumes and
colours of its typical products.
AREZZO
Giostra del Saracino – 1st
Sunday in September
Ancient game on horseback, with an historical procession.
GREVE IN CHIANTI [Firenze]
Market of Wine Chianti Classico - 2nd
week in September
It takes place in the beautiful public square of Greve. Typical wine
and products of this famous wine area.
VOLTERRA [Pisa]
Astiludio - 1st
Sunday in September
ASTILUDIUM derives from the Medieval Latin hasta
(flag) and ludus (game, festivities). The modern name ASTILUDIO
is used today to denote a performance in which the ancient
traditions of flag games are reenacted for the enjoyment
of Volterrans and visitors alike.
PIEVESCOLA [Siena]
Porcino Mushroom's festival - 2nd
and 3rd week end of September
OCTOBER:
MONTAIONE [Firenze]
Chestnut and Truffle Festival – Last
weekend in October
Gastronomic Festival with typical products
MONTALCINO [Siena]
Sagra del Tordo [Festival of the
thrush] – Last Sunday
in October
The festival recalls the hunting that it is carried out with the arc.
Plates made up of game and local wine; dances and songs in traditional
costume.
MONTIERI [Siena]
Sagra della Castagna [Chestnut Festival] – 2nd
week-end in October
CERTALDO ALTO [Firenze]
Boccaccesca - 2nd
week in October
Gastonomic Festival in the village of Giovanni Boccaccio.
MONTERIGGIONI [Siena]
Festa d'autunno- Autumn festival - 1st
Saturday and 1st Sunday in October
Festival in honour of the grape picking.
MENSANO [Siena]
The Grape-picking festival - 1st
week end of October
ANTIQUE MARKETS:
AREZZO - Piazza
S. Francesco: 1st weekend every
month
LUCCA - Via
del Battistero: 3rd weekend
every month
FIESOLE - Giardini
pubblici di S. Francesco: 2nd
Sunday every month
SIENA - Piazza
del Mercato: 3rd Sunday
every month
FIRENZE - Piazza
dei Ciompi:Last Sunday
every month
GREVE IN CHIANTI - Piazza
Giacomo Matteotti: Monday
Easter
MONTEPULCIANO - Piazza
Grande: 2nd weekend every
month
PISTOIA – Viale
Pacinotti: 2nd weekend
every month
FIRENZE - Fortezza Antiquaria
- 3rd Weekend every month,
Fortezza da Basso
WEEKLY STREET MARKETS:
Monday: San
Casciano Val di Pesa
Tuesday : Poggibonsi,
Peccioli, Firenze
Wednesday: Siena,
Certaldo
Thursday: San
Gimignano
Friday: Colle
Val D’Elsa, Pienza
Saturday: Greve
in Chianti, Volterra
Please contact us for more info about:
ART AND CULTURAL EXHIBITIONS – Information
about all art exhibitions and festivals during your stay.
GOLF COURSES - For golf lovers information
about the best five golf courses in Tuscany.
RUNNING - Training and local running races for
running and jogging lovers.
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