Italian Festivals

Italian Festivals are as varied as the landscape. From testosterone-induced combatants donned in period costume in Florence...

...To the tender religious holidays of Pasqua in Sicily, residents in the land of sunflowers and olive trees take their festivals very seriously.

These festivals in Italy are a sacred time for families to enjoy a celebration of their heritage.

Calcio Storico Festival
Take Calcio Storico is held in Florence. It is not for the faint of heart. This is one of the italian festivals not to be missed. Composed of just under 30 combatants donned in period costume, they parade through the streets before battling each other in a crazy-type football event.

Climate in Italy
The climate in Italy is a dream come true for travelers and retirees alike. Sunlight graces most parts of the country nearly 300 days a year. Winters are usually mild and summers are temperate, making the decision to live in Italy a healthy one.

Retire in Italy
Can you imagine retiring in Italy to the land of breathtaking landscapes and olive groves? Like anywhere, living in the center of Italy's major cities is expensive. Instead, seek out smaller towns where affordable living is just a short train ride away from most metropolitan areas.

Using a European Rail Pass
A European Rail Pass is a great value if you are visiting several spots. Keep in mind that Europe is extremely condensed and easily traveled by train. Know your options before purchasing one. Find out how a European Rail Pass works and how it can best help you.

Italian Festivals from January to April

*DATE*	*HOLIDAY*
Jan 1	New Year's Day
January 6th	The Epiphany is a much more celebrated religious holiday than Christmas.
End of February to beginning of March	Carnevale or Mardi Gras is held all over, from Milan and Venice to Tuscany and into the villages of Sicily. This is one of the most celebrated festivals in Italy.
First Sunday in February	This day celebrates the Almond Blossom Festival in Agrigento, Sicily
March 8	The Festa della Donna is when men bring flowers to the women they love.
March 19	The Feast Day of San Giuseppe is the Italian version of Father's Day.
First Week in April	Vinitaly is a reknown international wine trade show for professionals and wine lovers alike.
A week before Easter	Holy Week is a huge religious celebration, especially in Rome where the Pope delivers several masses.
Easter Sunday	This specific Sunday is a Christian Relgious Holiday with many closures of businesses. Following Easter Mass on Sunday is the Scoppio del Carro fireworks in Florence. This Explosion of the Cart is a procession with fireworks, musicians and flag throwers.
Easter Monday	This day is just as celebrated as Easter Sunday with closures of businesses as well.
April 21st	The City Birthday Celebration is one of the most important Italian festivals. Although celebrations take place throughout the country, most events are centered in the capital cities of Turin, Florence and Rome.
April 25th	St. Mark's Day is the day men present roses to their loved ones.
April 25th	Liberation Day is a celebration of the day Allied troops liberated Italy during World War II.

Italian Festivals Calendimaggio Costumes

Public Holidays in Italy
Be aware that many businesses close during public holidays in Italy. These holidays are an essential part of living in Italy and entusiastically celebrated throughout the regions.

Find out the dates of public holidays here to avoid an unwanted surprise.

Regions of Italy
Italy is made up of 20 regions--From the cooler areas of the Po Valley in the north to the sultry Mediterranean spots of the south. Find them all here.

European Travel Tips
Get useful information on getting around in Europe and staying safe. Learn the best method for exchanging currency, withdrawing money, and packing for European travel.

How to Travel Europe by Train
The train system in Europe is easy to navigate with a few simple tips. It makes European travel amazingly simple. Remember that many cities have more than one train station such as Paris and London. Find out how to get around and what you can resolve at train ticket station windows.

Italian Festivals from May to July

*DATE*	*HOLIDAY*
May 1st	Labor Day is a day that most of the country shuts down.
First Thursday, Friday, and Saturday of May	Calendimaggio is a Festival filled with games, songs, events and citizens in period costumes. Festivals in Italy such as Calendimaggio are extremely fun to watch.
Mid May	The Annual Cricket Festival in Florence provides entertainment, food and music. You will see even crickets being sold in cages.
Forty days after Easter	Christian feast day known as Ascension is a religious holiday.
Throughout June	The Annual Flower Display and the Florence Music Festival are celebrated in Florence.
June 2nd	This is the Anniversary of the Republic in Italy.
June 17th	Pisa’s Festival of St. Ranieri includes boat races.
Sixty days after Easter	Corpus Domini is a procession on a carpet of flowers.
Mid June through the end of August	Verona’s Outdoor Opera is celebrated in the Roman Arena.
June 24th	St. John the Baptist Day is celebrated mostly in Rome, Florence, Monterosso, and Riomaggiore.
Late June to early September	Outdoor Cinema Season is celebrated in Florence.
July through August	This period is known as Opera Season in Verona.
Early July	The Feast of the Redeemer if one of the most appealing Italian festivals with beautifully decorated boats and fireworks.
July 2nd	This day reveals the Palio horse race in Siena along with medieval parades.
July 15th	The Festival of Madonna del Carmine is held in Naples.

Cruise Packing Tips
Follow these cruise packing tips to avoid ruining your vacation. A pre-departure cruise check list is essential. So is scanning important documents and emailing them to yourself before you board.

First Time Cruise Tips
Learn vital strategies when going on that cruise vacation including what you must bring in your carry-on and how to choose your cabin.

CHEAP EUROPEAN TRAVEL RESOURCES

Affordable Travel
Use simple strategies for Cheap travel abroad such as staying at hostels or bed and breakfast inns. They are cheaper and very common in Europe and South America. And remember to pocket plenty of extra passport pictures for obtaining visas when crossing borders.

Budget European Travel Tips
Europe is a magical place. But it can get quite expensive. Unless you know all the things to do in Europe for free...from a stunning view of Paris to free concerts in Amsterdam.

Backpack through Europe
Backpacking through Europe is an affordable way to discover what this magical continent has to offer. Find out what to pack, how to get around, and what size your backpack should be.

When to Travel Europe by Car
It's relatively simple to travel Europe by car nowadays. You can drop off your rental in a different city and even in a different country. Just make sure to ask your European car rental agency about any fees beforehand.

Italian Festivals from August to December

*DATE*	*HOLIDAY*
On or around August 15th	The Feast of the Assumption of Mary is a religious holiday held throughout Italy.
End of August	International Film Festivalis is celebrated in Venice.
First Saturday and Sunday of September	The Historical Regatta in Florence includes old time boats and pageantry.
September 19	San Gennaro is held twice a year in Naples to celebrate the patron saint of Naples.
All through October	Musica dei Popoli Festival in Florence includes folk music and dance.
November 1st	All Saints’ Day is a highly celebrated religious holiday for which there are closures.
November 21st	Feast of Our Lady of Good Health is a Thanksgiving festival held in Venice.
December 8th	The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a religious holiday for which there are closures.
December 25th	Christmas
December 26th	St. Stephen’s Day festival is a religious holiday.
All through December	Christmas Market is held in Rome on Piazza Navona.

These are only a few of the many Italian festivals and celebrations. Be sure to check for precise dates if you are planning a trip around a specific festival in Italy.

Return to Living in Italy

Italian festivals are held throughout the country including regional and local holidays which are specific to cities and regions.

It is important to remember that religious holidays may start unexpectedly.

This may include crowds and closures in many regions of Italy.

Although extremely fun to be a part of, check the dates first before heading out to any festivals in Italy.

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