One of the most popular places in Europe for many travellers to visit throughout the year is Italy, with its incredible richness and diversity to explore whenever you’re fortunate enough to be there. Italian festivals are some of the best ways to experience the Italian culture, with hundreds of annual festivals. Take time out of your visits to the ancient ruins or spectacular beaches and join in on one of the many festivals in Italy.
Italian festival for the whole family
Most Italian festivals celebrate historical traditions and stories which have lived through the generations. One of the most popular historical festivals is Epiphany and La Befana. Celebrated throughout Italian cities, we recommend you attend the festival in Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance.
This extravagant costume parade takes place in early January, and snakes through the streets of Florence to the Piazza Duomo. It’s the perfect festival if you’re travelling with the kids because you’ll still find the old tradition of elderly women delivering presents of candies and small toys to children along the streets.
Join the display of strength at The Battle of the Bridge Festival
On the last Saturday of June every year, one of the most vibrant and exciting cities in Italy, Pisa, offers a sneak peek into a historical tradition in the country. At the central Ponte di Mezzo, one of the bridges crossing the Arno River, the Battle of the Bridges takes place, where hundreds of people march along the riverbanks to medieval music in traditional costumes. Two teams engage in fierce competition where they attempt to win the surface of the bridge.
This event dates back thousands of years, though it has changed over time, and is a night-long battle involving a variety of other interesting happenings in conjunction around the city. Even if you’re not directly involved in the battle, you’re sure to be captivated by the feeling that envelops Pisa.
Carnevale, the most celebrated of the Italian Festivals
One of the most popular Italian festival traditions is Carnevale which happens in multiple cities in Italy. We recommend you fly to Venice to experience this festival in all its glory. The streets of Venice come alive with traditional displays of Renaissance musicians, bands and dancers that come together annually between February and March in Venice, and boasts a beautiful parade of over-the-top, decadent costumes, floats and even a puppet dragon. Here we celebrate the last opportunity for indulgence before the beginning of Lent, so eat, drink, dance and be as merry as you can muster.
Italian festivals would not be complete without a food fight – Introducing the Battle Of Oranges
There are so many interesting festivals to attend when travelling through Italy, and getting from place to place is simple and laid back, as you travel through the scenic countryside and charming little cities. To experience one of the largest food-fight festivals in the history of Italy, take a trip about two and a half hours west of Venice, to the city of Ivrea in the days preceding Fat Tuesday.
The origin of the Battle of Oranges dates back to medieval times when the townspeople fought against the nobles and were liberated from the evil ruling duke, and is otherwise known as a Festival of Freedom. Divided into nine different squads, the townspeople dress up in their battle attire and take to the streets to hurl oranges at each other in an attempt to “kill” the opposing teams.
Truffles Of Norcia Festival
Renowned for its rich flavours, and cuisine masterpieces, Italy has always been synonymous with iconic global food trends such as pizza, pasta, risotto, and decadent soups. The thing that makes Italian food to die for is their passion for ingredients. With this in mind, a celebration of the truffles is a perfect fit for a visit to Italy.
Visit Umbria in central Italy in March, and sample Norcia’s famous black truffles along with their local loaves of bread and impressive cheese selections, including Burrata and Stracciatella. Norcia Festival takes place at the Piazza San Benedetto and is a fun day out for the whole family, as you wander around the painting exhibits, watch a theatre performance and marvel at the costume parades.
The Feast of San Giuseppe is a truly Italian food experience
To feel like a true Italian you’ll need to head to Sicily, where you’ll learn first-hand that to live like an Italian means having to eat like an Italian. If you find yourself in Sicily in the middle of March, you’ll be invited to join the family-orientated food feast of San Giuseppe, a traditional spread that hosts an abundance of rich and tasty treats and is considered the Italian version of Father’s Day in honour of San Giuseppe, Christ’s earthly Father.
The highlight of the festivities is the many versions of the sweet treat, zeppole, traditional crispy, fried dough balls that are a one portion of beloved street food in the city, and can also be found throughout central and southern Italy.
Marco Island Craft Beer and Fine Food Festival has the best kind of bubbles
As a beer lover, head to Naples during November, where you can experience a relaxed and cheerful atmosphere at the Marco Island Craft Beer And Fine Food Festival held at Mango’s Dockside Bistro. Although a less traditional experience for many, it’s still a festival well worth attending. The festival features 25 craft beers from around the world and is hosted in a huge beer garden tent. Wander around and try the different brews as you enjoy street foods that have been specifically picked and paired with each beer.
Alongside the local eats and beverages, a host of local bands supply the festival with live music throughout the day, giving you and your friends ample opportunity to enjoy the local ambiance and dance to your hearts content.
Italian Festivals kick into high gear with the Capaci Summer Fest
Sicily is one of the most beloved Mediterranean cities in the country, offering the perfect summer getaway for many travellers. Head to Palermo, Sicily in August to be in time for the Capaci Summer Arts Festival and see Italian local performance at its finest. This three day, open air festival happens in the heart of the city and showcases music, dance, visual art, and comedy. On the last day of the festival, guests are invited to take part in a bunch of typical medieval themed games like tug-of-war.
Hear the sweet sounds of Festival Pucciniano
Art, history, food and wine are the major reasons people enjoy visiting Tuscany, and when it comes to the arts, it’s Opera that stands out as a traditional Italian offering. What better way to celebrate the powerful influence that Italy has on historical and global trends of Opera than by attending an Italian festival of music in Tuscany?
Festival Pucciniano runs from the beginning of July to the end of August and focuses on classical art by celebrating Italy and its prestigious opera. First held in the summer of 1930 as a tribute to the great Italian composer Giacomo Puccini, guests will enjoy the sweet sounds of his most prestigious masterpieces like Madama Butterfly and La Boheme in an open-air theatre located on the banks of Massaciuccoli Lake.
Palio della Rana, a more unusual Italian festival
One of the most unusual Italian festivals is the Palio della Rana Festival. A must-see adventure with a main event showcasing contestants dressed in historic costumes racing their frogs in wheelbarrows. Held in Fermignano in Le Marche on the first Sunday after Easter, it draws competitors from the seven districts of the region to show off their frog racing skills by keeping the frogs from jumping out of the wheelbarrows during the race.
The festival boasts a craft market where you’ll find locally made ceramics, metal and leather goods and plenty of food and wine stalls, and comes to a close in the evening with a traditional, flag-waving ceremony and a magical display of fireworks.
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