Italian Festivals and Traditions
Many of the festivals and traditions in Italy are religious festivals. Read about them below.
The Feast Day of San Sebastiano
The Fair of Sant'Orso
The Fair of Sant'Orso, a woodcarvers fair, has been around for about 1000 years. Woodworkers demonstrate their skills and sell their goods. Here are some examples of the of the items they sell:
The Fair of Sant'Orso, a woodcarvers fair, has been around for about 1000 years. Woodworkers demonstrate their skills and sell their goods. Here are some examples of the of the items they sell:
Click on the videos to see some dancing:
Almond Blossom Fair
The festival finishes with a cart parade and fireworks. The carts and the horses are decorated beautifully.
Saint Joseph's Eve
‘Sa Sartiglia’ in Oristano
San Remo Song Festival
Festa della Donna
Feast Day of San Giuseppe/Father's Day
The Feast Day of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary's husband), is celebrated on the 19th of March. Father's Day in Italy is also celebrated on this day. Children give their fathers presents. The day is traditionally celebrated with bonfires and sometimes pageants with scenes from the life of Saint Joseph.
The Feast Day of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph, the Virgin Mary's husband), is celebrated on the 19th of March. Father's Day in Italy is also celebrated on this day. Children give their fathers presents. The day is traditionally celebrated with bonfires and sometimes pageants with scenes from the life of Saint Joseph.
On the same day the Palio dei Somari is held. It is a donkey race between neighborhoods. It takes place in Torrita di Siena (a medieval village near Siena in Tuscany). The local people dress up in medieval costumes.
April Fool's Day
April Fool's Day is called Pesce d'aprile, or April fish, in Italy. People try to stick paper fish on to the backs of their friends without been seen. Sometimes there are even false stories in the newspapers.
April Fool's Day is called Pesce d'aprile, or April fish, in Italy. People try to stick paper fish on to the backs of their friends without been seen. Sometimes there are even false stories in the newspapers.
Easter (Pasqua )
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal arrival into Jerusalem. The people welcomed him by laying down cloaks and leaves on the ground. In Italy olive branches are often used instead palm fronds.
Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus' triumphal arrival into Jerusalem. The people welcomed him by laying down cloaks and leaves on the ground. In Italy olive branches are often used instead palm fronds.
Religious processions are held in many towns on Easter Saturday. Many churches have special statues of the Virgin and Jesus that are carried around the towns during the processions. The statues are sometimes displayed in the main squares of the town. The people are often dressed in traditional costumes.
Children are given hollow chocolate eggs that usually come with a surprise inside.
On Easter Monday (La Pasquetta) a very unusual event happens. In the town of Panicale a game called Ruzzolone is played by rolling huge wheels of cheese around the village walls. The aim is to get around the village by rolling the cheese as few times as possible.
Palio della Rana
Palio della Rana is a frog race, which usually usually takes place the weekend after Easter in the town of Fermignano. Frogs are put on top of small wheelbarrows and the contestants try to reach the finish line before the frog hops off!
Palio della Rana is a frog race, which usually usually takes place the weekend after Easter in the town of Fermignano. Frogs are put on top of small wheelbarrows and the contestants try to reach the finish line before the frog hops off!
The Snake Handlers' Procession
The Snake Handlers' Procession is on the first Thursday in May in Cocullo. A statue of St. Dominic, the town's patron saint, is carried through town covered with live snakes!
The Snake Handlers' Procession is on the first Thursday in May in Cocullo. A statue of St. Dominic, the town's patron saint, is carried through town covered with live snakes!
Giro d'Italia
The Festa dei Ceri
Locals form Gubbio get dressed up for Festa dei Ceri on the 15th of May. They also have a candle race and costumed parade.
Locals form Gubbio get dressed up for Festa dei Ceri on the 15th of May. They also have a candle race and costumed parade.
Pinocchio's Birthday
Il Palio di Ferrara
Il Palio di Ferrara is a historical horse race that dates from 1279. It is run on the last Sunday in May. On the eve of the race local people dress up in Renaissance costumes and hold a procession to the castle. There are also flag throwing contests and parades.
Il Palio di Ferrara is a historical horse race that dates from 1279. It is run on the last Sunday in May. On the eve of the race local people dress up in Renaissance costumes and hold a procession to the castle. There are also flag throwing contests and parades.
Click on the video to see a flag thrower:
Roman Fest
Roman Fest includes parades, feasts, gladiator fights and chariot races. It takes place in the town of Alesandria in the last weekend of May.
Roman Fest includes parades, feasts, gladiator fights and chariot races. It takes place in the town of Alesandria in the last weekend of May.
Medieval Parade and Jousting Tournament
The Daffodil Festival
Spello L'infiorita
This is a flower festival which takes place on Corpus Christi in Spello each year. Beautiful carpets of flower petals are placed on the pathways around the town. Below are some examples:
This is a flower festival which takes place on Corpus Christi in Spello each year. Beautiful carpets of flower petals are placed on the pathways around the town. Below are some examples:
Traditional Dancing
Traditional music and dancing can often be seen at these festivals. Click on the video to see some dancing. Here are some Friulan dancers from the north west of the country.
Traditional music and dancing can often be seen at these festivals. Click on the video to see some dancing. Here are some Friulan dancers from the north west of the country.
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These dancers are from Sardinia. Sardinia is an island in the Mediterranean sea which is located just south of the French island, Corsica.
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Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. It is a very interesting place with an interesting history. The tallest active volcano in Europe, Mount Etna, is located on the island.
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If you would like to see some more dancing click on the photograph below.
Christmas