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 March 23th
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
71° Maggio Musicale Fiorentino [Musical
May in Florence] - From April
26th to July 1st
» 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.
JUNE:
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena]
Ferie delle Messi – June 13th, 14th, 15th
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
70° Maggio
Musicale Fiorentino [Musical May in Florence] - From 24th
April to 30th June
» 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.
MONTEPULCIANO [Siena]
Bravio delle botti – Last Sunday in August
Barrel race through the town in medieval costume.
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]
54th 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.
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
SAN MINIATO [Pisa]
Sagra del Tartufo [Truffle festival] – Last 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.
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 |
