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We have compiled a list of feasts and festivals that
can be incorporated into your itinerary: |
January |
| - throughout Tuscany, Epiphany, January 6th
The "Befana" festivities that celebrate the arrival of the Magi are almost as important to Tuscans as
Christmas. |
| - Volterra Festa di Sant'Antonio Abate, January 17th
This early morning blessing of the animals in front of the Oratorio of Saint Anthony Abbot is a touching
tradition. |
February |
| - Viareggio and throughout Tuscany Carnevale, 10 days before Shrove Tuesday
Most towns, the most famous of which is Viareggio, hold elaborate parades and costume parties
that last until the wee hours -- a sort of Mardi Gras with Italian ingenuity and class added in. |
March |
| - Pisa New Year's Celebrations (Capodanno Pisano),
March 24th & 25th
On the 25th of March the Pisans celebrated the New Year (until 1749 when their calendar was unified with the Gregorian calendar used in the rest of Tuscany).
On the evening of the 24th the festivities begin, with medieval flag-wavers (sbandieratori) and itinerant musicians filling the city streets. At 11 pm people gather under the Loggia di Banchi (near the main bridge, Ponte di Mezzo) where you can view the citys fireworks and toast to the New Year.
On the morning of the 25th there is a historic parade which begins at the Church of San Giorgio (in Via Santa Maria) and leads to the Cathedral where mass is held at 12 pm: at this moment a ray of light filters through the Cathedral windows, illuminating the marble sculpture above Giovanni Pisanos pulpit. |
| - All towns in Tuscany.
Holy Week Celebrations (the week preceding Easter, which is on March 27th)
In Tuscany Easter is celebrated with beautiful religious processions, many in traditional costume. The most interesting reenactments are held on Good Friday.
(The reinactments are rather mild in nature, not like the fervent celebrations in Southern Italy or Spain). |
| - Florence. Scoppio del Carro, Easter Sunday (March 27th)
An ancient ritual that dates back to the 12th century (also one of the most important Florentine
holidays), the event is a sort of welcome to spring -- a wooden cart is led by four white oxen laden
with garlands of flowers through the town. |
| - Pisa. Exhibition on Cimabue.
March 25th- June 25th.
This exhibition will be the most important show ever held on the early-Renaissance painter Cimabue. A once in a life-time opportunity.
Museum of San Matteo, Pisa.
Entrance fee: 8 Euro. |
| - Pomarance. Marzuolo Truffle Festival.
March 12th -13th.
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May |
| - All towns in Tuscany.
May Day Festivities, May 1st.
On this day Tuscany stands still. In almost any town in the countryside you will find festivities
and feasts in the mornings (Tripe is the standard breakfast served on this day in Volterra) while in the
afternoon everyone goes into the countryside to lie in the sun or take a leisurely stroll. |
| - Lari. Cherry Festival, last Sunday in May (May 29th).
In this small town between Volterra and Pisa, you can savor the 13 varieties of cherries grown in
this area --try them fresh or in the form of liqueurs, jams, cakes and ice cream. |
| - Terricciola. Strawberry Festival.
May 15th.
This strawberry festival is held in the town center of Terricciolla, which is famous for its strawberries here you can try them in every form imaginable!
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June |
| - Volterra. Festivities of San Giusto, June 5th.
To celebrate the saint's day of Volterra's patron saint, the city holds a parade, a city-wide "tug of
war" and a foot race held at night in which the participants carry large candles while the run through the city center. |
| - Pisa. Luminara di San Ranieri.
June 16th.
On the evening of the 16th of June, the eve of the day dedicated to Saint Ranier, patron saint of Pisa, over 70,000 candles are placed in all of the windows of the buildings that line the Arno River, all around the colonnades of the leaning tower, and also put afloat in the Arno River; the evenings festivities culminate with a show of fireworks. This is perhaps the most heart-felt and suggestive of all Pisan festivities, first held in 1688 when the saints remains were placed inside the Cathedral where they can still be found today. |
| - Pisa. Palio di San Ranieri.
June 17th.
A rowing race is held on the Arno River between the four historic districts of Pisa, with all participants dressed in Medieval garb; the history of the event is tied to the Order of the Knights of Saint Steven, created by the Medicis in the 1500s. |
| - Pisa. Gioco del Ponte.
June 26th.
A Pisan tradition since the time of the Medicis (who instated this competition to replace a quite
violent precursor), various neighborhoods participate in a sort of "tug of war" across a bridge.
The historic parade begins at 4:30 pm and leads to the Ponte di Mezzo (the main bridge over the Arno River).
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July |
| - Siena Palio, July 2nd
The first of the twice-yearly horse races is pageantry at its best -- the actual race is can be difficult to see, but it is worth a trip to Siena on the morning of the race (or even on the two days preceding the race) to see the somber preparations, such as the trial runs or the blessing of the horses. |
| - Volterra. VolterraTeatro.
Two weeks in July (exact dates not yet determined).
An experimental theater festival in which groups come from around the world to give performances
throughout the city in this celebrated festival. |
August |
| - Volterra. Volterra Jazz.
August 1st - 15th
Music festival with open-air concerts throughout the city. |
| - Mazzolla. Feast of San Lorenzo.
August 15th
A local feast with lots of local color in this small hill-top town near Volterra; with raffles and
dancing at night. |
| - Siena Palio, August 16th
The famous Sienese horse race. |
| - Volterra. 1398 A.D. Medieval Festival.
August 21st - 28th.
The city center is closed off on the weekends (August 21st, 27th & 28th) and visitors can enjoy medieval reenactments, musicians, jugglers and artisans who bring to life ancient traditions and crafts.
Entrance fee: 8 Euro. |
| - Montescudaio. Vino Estate.
August 15th.
A wine festival in this charming Eastern-Tuscan town known for its excellent local wines, most of which are SuperTuscans. |
September |
| - Volterra. Flag-waving Competition (Astiludio).
September 4th (1st Sunday in September).
An awe-inspiring national competition between four groups of medieval flag wavers, a Tuscan tradition since 1406 instated to celebrate the Florentine conquest of the rival city Pisa-- Not to be missed! |
| - Volterra City Fair.
September 19th (the Monday following the 3rd Sunday of September)
A veritable Tuscan bazaar which is held at this time to celebrate Saint Sebastian - you must try the
ubiquitous nut brittle which they call "adormenta suocere", which translates literally as "makes your mother-in-law fall asleep!" |
| - Pisa. Anima Mundi Sacred Music Series.
September and October (dates to be announced).
This is a fantastic concert series held in the Pisa Cathedral with musicians of international fame. |
| - Terricciola. Grape and Wine Festival.
September 9th-18th.
Concentrated on the weekends, this grape and wine festival is one of the areas best. The city center comes alive with music, dancing, folklore and wine tastings, of course!
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October |
| - Volterra Truffle Festival and Feast, last weekend in October
Nightly truffle feasts and demonstrations of truffle-hunting techniques and tastings of products
made with truffles. |
| - Montescudaio. Mostra Vino DOC.
October 2nd.
A wine-lover's dream come true: the picturesque town of Montescudaio opens up its winecellars for this festival to celebrate the end of the harvest. |
| - Volterra. White Truffle Festival.
October 29th-30th and November 1st, 5th and 6th.
Volterra's white truffle is quickly becoming one of the most prized truffles in the world. During the festival stands are set up to explain the mystery of this rare culinary-delight - and of course to taste and purchase truffle products. |
November |
| - San Minato. National White Truffle Festival.
November 12th & 13th, 19th & 20th, 26th & 27th (the last 3 weekends of November).
One of the most important truffle festivals in the world, the city center is filled with stands selling truffles, truffle products and artisinal handicrafts. The restaurants of the area also offer delicious truffle-based culinary creations during this period.
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