Calendar of Italian Cultural, Religious, and Food Festivals

January

• Epiphany (La Befana) – January 6
  • Celebrations throughout Italy with parades, sweets, and gifts for children.

February

• Carnevale
  • Famous in Venice with elaborate masks, costumes, and parades. Celebrations also take place in Viareggio, Ivrea, and many other cities.

March

• St. Joseph’s Day (Festa di San Giuseppe) – March 19
  • Celebrations with traditional pastries like zeppole and frittelle, especially in Southern Italy.

April

• Easter (Pasqua)
  • Celebrated with processions, feasts, and traditional foods like lamb and Colomba cake. Major celebrations in Rome, Florence, and Sicily.

May

• May Day (Festa dei Lavoratori) – May 1
  • A national holiday with concerts, parades, and picnics across Italy.
• Infiorata Festivals
  • Held in various towns like Spello and Noto, featuring elaborate flower carpets.

June

• Republic Day (Festa della Repubblica) – June 2
  • Military parades in Rome and celebrations nationwide.
• Festa di San Giovanni – June 24
  • Celebrated in Florence, Genoa, and Turin with fireworks, feasts, and historical reenactments.

July

• Palio di Siena – July 2
  • Historic horse race in Siena with medieval pageantry.
• Umbria Jazz Festival
  • Renowned jazz festival in Perugia featuring international artists.

August

• Ferragosto – August 15
  • A national holiday marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, celebrated with feasts, fireworks, and beach trips.

September

• Regata Storica – First Sunday of September
  • A historic boat race and parade in Venice.
• Festa di San Gennaro – September 19
  • Celebrated in Naples with religious processions and street festivals.

October

• Eurochocolate Festival
  • A chocolate festival in Perugia with tastings, workshops, and chocolate sculptures.

November

• All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti) – November 1
  • A day to honor all saints, marked by church services and visits to cemeteries.
• Truffle Festivals
  • Held in Alba and other towns in Piedmont and Tuscany, featuring truffle tastings and markets.

December

• Christmas Markets
  • Festive markets throughout Italy, with notable ones in Bolzano, Florence, and Rome.
• Feast of the Immaculate Conception – December 8
  • Religious processions and celebrations, especially in Rome.