Interesting ancient usages, customs and local folklore festivals still survive in present-day Italy, although inevitably, with the passage of time, some part of this picturesque legacy has been lost. Even so, a pride in traditions has kept much of it alive. Traditional festivals are celebrated in most Italian towns and villages in commemoration of local historical or religious events. The most notable are listed here. The dates of many traditional festivals may vary from year to year.

Agrigento

ALMOND BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
First half of February
Folk festival of song, dance, costumes, fireworks.

Arezzo

GIOSTRA del SARACINO (Joust of the Saracen)
First Sunday in September
Tilting contest of the 13th century with knights in armor.

Assisi

CALENDIMAGGIO (Celebration of Holy Week)
Easter Week
Celebration of spring according to rites dating back to medieval times.

Ascoli-Piceno

TORNEO della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana)
First Sunday in August
Historical pageant with people in 15th century costumes.

Asti

PALIO - San Secondo
May 2
A 700 year old ceremony with procession in 13th century costume. Flag Throwing Palio.
Third Sunday in September
Ancient festival with 800 costumed participants.

Bari

SAGRA di San NICOLA
May 7
Historic procession in costume.

Cagliari

SAGRA di Sant' EFISIO
May 1 to 4
One of the biggest and most colorful processions in the world. Several thousand pilgrims (wearing costumes dating back to 1657) accompany the statue of Sant'Efisio on foot, carts and horses.

Firenze

SCOPPIO DEL CARRO (Explosion of the Cart)
Easter Sunday
A pyramid of fireworks in the Cathedral Square is set off by a mechanical dove driven from the Altar during High Mass.
CALCIO FIORENTINO (Soccer Match)
June 24 to 28
Revival of a 16th century football match in medieval costumes.
June 24th
Fireworks display from the terraced gardens overlooking the city.

Foligno

GIOSTRA della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana)
Second Sunday in September
Revival of a 17th century joust with 600 knights in costume, historical procession.

Genova

PALIO MARINARO dei RIONI
June 29th
Rowing race in ancient dress.

Genzano

INFIORATA (Flower festival)
Corpus Domini
A religious procession along the streets carpeted with flowers in magnificent designs.

Gubbio

FESTA dei CERI (Race of the Candles)
May 15
A procession in local costume in which tall shrines are carried to the church on the top of Mount Ingino.
PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers)
Last Sunday in May
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.

La Spezia

PALIO del GOLFO
First Sunday of August
Rowing contest.

Marostica (Vicenza)

PARTITA a SCACCHI con PERSONAGGI VIVENTI
(Living Chess Game)
Second weekend of September in even-numbered years
Chess game is played in the town square by living pawns in period costume.

Napoli

FESTIVAL of San GENNARO
September 19
A religious ceremony honoring the patron saint of the city.

Nola

FESTA del GIGLIO (The Lily Festival)
Sunday following June 22nd
Allegorical towers are carried in a colorful procession in costume.

Nuoro

SAGRA del REDENTORE (Feast of the Redeemer)
August 27 to 30
Colorful procession in Sardinian costumes.

Oristano

SA SARTIGLIA
February 24 to 26
Medieval procession and jousting of masking knights.

Palermo

FEAST of Santa ROSALIA
July 10 to 15
Procession, bands, fireworks in honor of the patron saint of the city.

Piana degli Albanesi

CELEBRATION of the EPIPHANY from the BYZANTINE RITE
January 6

Pisa

GIOCO del PONTE (Battle of the Bridge)
First Sunday in June
Medieval parade and contest.
REGATTA of the GREAT MARITIME REPUBLICS
The friendly contest and historic regatta in which each of the former maritime republics (Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa and Venice) race for a prize.

Roma

EPIPHANY FAIR at PIAZZA NAVONA
January 5th
A fair with toys, sweets and other presents, held in the open air among the beautiful Bernini fountains.
FESTA DE' NOANTRI
July 19th to 26th
Folklore of Old Rome in Trastevere, including a colorful procession for the Vergine del Carmine, folk dances and songs, carnival floats and fireworks.

Sansepolcro

PALIO dei BALESTRIERI (The Palio of the Archers)
Last Sunday in May
Medieval crossbow contest between Gubbio and Sansepolcro with medieval costumes and arms.

Sassari

CAVALCATA SARDA (Sardinian Cavalcade)
Next to last Sunday in May
Traditional procession of more than 3,000 people in Sardinian costumes.

Siena

PALIO - in Siena
July 2nd and August 16th
Procession and horse race. Participants are members of ancient city districts, competing for the banner (Palio). Colorful medieval pageantry.

Taranto

PROCESSION of the MYSTERIES
Good Friday
Renowned for its costumes and solemnity.

Venezia

CARNIVAL in VENICE
February/March
Celebrations in costumes and masks, entertainment in streets and squares. Music, mimes and fireworks.
IL REDENTORE (The Feast of the Redeemer)
Third Sunday in July
Procession of gondolas commemorating the end of the epidemic of 1575.
HISTORICAL REGATTA
First Sunday in September
Traditional competition between two-oar racing gondolas and procession of ceremonial boats.

Viareggio

CARNEVALE (Carnival)
February/March
Highlight of the Carnival festivities is the procession of spectacular and colorful floats.