Festivals in Italy

The Italians are passionate and creative, so it's hardly surprising that the country has many festivals and events celebrating everything from food to history.

Never forget that Italy was only united in 1870 and that local society is based on campanelismo: a fierce love of one's own paese, which means an equally fierce hatred of everyone else's.

Take your choice between the Carnival in Venice, where the most beautiful of all Italian cities turns into a bacchanalian scene in fancy dress, and the Palio in Siena, a horse race in the exquisite, shell-shaped Campo taken straight out of the Middle Ages. Other highlights include the crossbow contests in San Sepolcro and Arezzo which are equally picturesque but slightly less violent.

The most notable festivals are listed here. The dates of many traditional festivals may vary from year to year.

Almond Blossom Festival
Calendimaggio
Carnevale
Festa de Noantri
Epiphany Fair
Palio in Siena
Santa Rosalia