December 8 is an Italian and Catholic holiday: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Cities throughout Italy celebrate with special masses, parades, and music. Many stores remain open for holiday shopping. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
Cities throughout Italy celebrate Santa Lucia Day on December 13. Sicily hosts an especially large parade on December 13, bringing Santa Lucia's coffin to the Church of Santa Lucia. Another parade is held on December 20 to bring her back to the church's crypt. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
The Pisa Marathon includes a full marathon and half marathon, and starts its course near the Leaning Tower. Note: 2016 dates have not been announced yet. Please check the event website for updates. Dream of Italy's Tuscany Travel Advice Event photo: www.flickr.com/photos/88018410@N04/8056095814/
This 1000-year-old festival in Abbadia San Salvatore is a procession of candles and torches on Christmas Eve, commemorating the shepherds who followed the star to the site of Jesus's birth. Get your FREE copy of Dream of Italy's Christmas in Italy Guide
Every year since 1688, the evening of June 16 has been reserved for a remarkable spectacle in Pisa, the Luminara di Saint Ranieri. Held in honor of Saint Ranieri, whose remains are housed inside the Cathedral of Pisa, the event leads up to the Regatta of Saint Ranieri on June 17. During the Luminara, buildings and bridges along the Arno River are lit with more than 70,000 candles, while thousands ...
Though the origin of this colorful celebration is disputed, many believe Rificolona began as a celebration on the eve of the Feast of the Madonna, the nativity of the virgin. It is said that villagers would start their pilgrimage before the break of dawn to the city of Florence on the eve of her birthday. They relied on their lanterns, ...
It's the summer and in August many Italians are looking forward to Ferragosto which starts on August 15th. It's known as a two-week vacation period with roots in ancient Rome. When Emperor Augustus invented the feriae Augusti to mark the end harvest he also made it a moment that signified a period of well-deserved rest. Later, during the fascist regime, this ...
Chianti drinkers, rejoice: Your festival is here! In September, the Tuscan city of Impruneta becomes intoxicated with celebrations of the garnet gem of Tuscany -- the Chianti grape. In this Festa dell'Uva, wine-lovers can wander from booth to booth, tasting Chianti varieties as well as regional delicacies. There are also historical processions with incredible costumes (and some mischievous antics, due ...
Under the Vasari Portico in the main piazza of Arezzo, the first Sunday and preceding Saturday of every month you will find the largest antique market in Italy. From dressers to comic books to old military uniforms, this market holds a variety of treasures. Arezzo, located in the region of Tuscany, is one of the twelve Etruscan cities that was conquered ...
The Gelato Festival is on tour just in time for the summer heat, stopping in 12 Italian cities between now and October. Guests will be able to watch gelato makers at work, taste and vote for their favorite flavors, and sample a special flavor in each city, including Nutella and a mango-kiwi-strawberry combination. There will also be opportunities to learn ...
