Events in Tuscany
Events in Tuscany
By booking a vacation at Torre Prima Holidays in San Gimignano (Siena), you can participate in the most interesting events in Tuscany between Siena and Florence, and beyond.
Events not to be missed
SIENA - Palio - July 2 (preceded by 2 days of trials). Since 1147 race of jockeys and horses from the city's different contrade; run in Piazza del Campo.
SIENA - Palio - August 16 (preceded by 3 days of trials). Since 1147 race of jockeys and horses from the city's different contrade; run in Piazza del Campo.
POGGIBONSI [Siena] - Feast of the patron saint San Lucchese with fireworks - April 28. Saint Lucchese met Saint Francis of Assisi and decided to live like him. Thus he became blessed and now his body rests in the Basilica that bears his name; for his feast day he is carried in procession. Stand with typical products.
CASOLE D'ELSA [Siena] - Palio - Second Sunday in July. Horse and jockey race more than a century old with festivities.
POGGIBONSI [Siena] - Cantine Aperte - Last Sunday in May. Wine producers open their cellars to the public.
MONTEPULCIANO [Siena] - Bravio delle botti - Last Sunday in August. Historical procession in 14th-century costumes enlivened by a unique battle.
MONTALCINO [Siena] - Festival of the Thrush - Last Sunday in October. Re-enacts the jousts and tournaments organized at the conclusion of the hunting season. Game dishes and local wine, dancing and singing in 19th-century costumes.
PIENZA [Siena] - Pecorino Cheese Fair - First Sunday in September. The "capital" of pecorino cheese is dressed in the scents and colors of traditional cheese.
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena] - Ferie delle Messi - June 19-20-21. Historical reenactment in the streets and squares with medieval stands, costumed parades and a knightly tournament called "Joust of the Wands."
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena] - Concerts of classical music and opera. The Accademia dei Leggieri, an ancient theater association founded in the 16th century, organizes classical music concerts throughout the summer.
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena] - Thanksgiving Festival - First Monday in August.
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena] - Santa Fina Fair - First Sunday of August.
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena] - Religious Feast - August 28.
SAN GIMIGNANO [Siena] - Feast of Saint Augustine, Fair - August 29.
MONTERIGGIONI [Siena] - Medieval Festival - First and second weekend of July. Representation within the walls of scenes of medieval life with stalls, workshops inspired by ancient trades, performances by theatrists, storytellers and musicians.
MONTERIGGIONI [Siena] - Autumn Festival - First Saturday and first Sunday in October. Festival in honor of the grape harvest.
COLLE VAL D'ELSA [Siena] - Festival of Misery - Second Saturday to third Sunday in June. Tasty food festival to discover the less refined but more typical dishes of the area.
COLLE VAL D'ELSA [Siena] - Crystal Exhibition - Mid-September. The village is transformed into an open-air factory with expert artisans grappling with crystal work; exhibition and sale of crystal objects.
FLORENCE - Bursting of the cart - Easter Sunday morning. The cart is transported by white oxen to the Duomo; here it is joined by a wire to the Duomo's High Altar. Along the wire walks a little dove carrying an olive branch in its beak, which must glide toward the cart with the lit fuse to ignite. If everything goes off without a hitch, it promises to be a good year for Florence.
CERTALDO ALTO [Florence] - Mercantia - All third week of July. Entertainment in the medieval village enlivened by jugglers, clowns, puppeteers, equilibrists, magicians and musicians from all over and artisans working live.
CERTALDO ALTO [Florence] - Boccaccesca - Second week of October.
MONTAIONE [Florence] - Chestnut and Truffle Festival - Last weekend of October. The event is celebrated in the park of Villa Serena where you can taste various gastronomic specialties and also buy typical products. Multiple shows and entertainment take place around the festival.
GREVE IN CHIANTI [Florence] - Chianti Classico Wine Fair - Second weekend of September. Held in the beautiful square of Greve, featuring wine and typical products from one of the most famous wine areas in the world.
GREVE IN CHIANTI [Florence] - Feast of the Bona Season - April 25. The festival takes place on April 25 amid memories and hopes; it re-enacts a popular insurrection of the 16th century with a parade of costumed characters. There are numerous stands at which to sample excellent Chianti dishes.
MONTESPERTOLI [Florence] - 53rd Mostra del Chianti - May 23 to 31. Exhibition entirely dedicated to wine, which in the continuity of tradition and through the events connected to it wants to reaffirm the deep connection with the Tuscan territory.
PISA - Feast of San Ranieri, patron saint of Pisa, Luminaria - June 16-17. Pisa is illuminated with lights that adorn the facades of buildings, churches, towers.
PISA - Gioco del Ponte - Last Sunday in June. Historical-revival event dating back to classical antiquity that consists of two phases: the Historical Procession on the Lungarni (a sort of imposing military parade) and the battle set on the Ponte di Mezzo.
MASSA MARITTIMA [Grosseto] - Balestro of the Girifalco - Fourth Sunday in May. Medieval spectacle in honor of San Bernardino to re-enact the art of the crossbow, with parade and historical tournament.
MASSA MARITTIMA [Grosseto] - Balestro del Girifalco - Second Sunday of August. Folkloric event with an impressive tournament historical tournament and impressive display of flag-waving; archers dressed in medieval costume must hit a target 36 meters away.
AREZZO - Joust of the Saracen - Third Saturday in June. Ancient chivalric and spectacular game with impressive historical procession.
AREZZO - Joust of the Saracen - First Sunday in September. Ancient chivalric and spectacular game of chivalry, with imposing historical procession.
CORTONA [Arezzo] - Steak Festival - August 14-15. Outdoor barbecue where Florentine steaks (Chianina meat), sausages, ribs are prepared on a 14-meter grill. Gastronomic products of Aretine agriculture.
Markets to visit
Siena - THE COLLECTOR'S CORNER, every 3rd Sunday of the month, Piazza del Mercato.
Montepulciano - FAIR OF ARTS AND CRAFTSMANSHIP, every 2nd weekend of the month, Piazza Grande.
Florence - MERCATINO DELL'ARTIGIANATO E DEL PICCOLO ANTIQUARIATO : every 2nd Sunday of the month, Piazza Santo Spirito.
Florence - FORTEZZA ANTIQUARIA : every 3rd weekend of the month, Fortezza da Basso.
Certaldo (FI) - ANTIQUARIATO MARKET , every 3rd Sunday of the month.
Arezzo - ANTIQUARIES FAIR: every 1st weekend of the month, Piazza Grande, Centro Storico.
Lucca - ANTIQUE MARKET, every 3rd weekend of the month, Piazza Antelminelli, San Giusto and San Giovanni.
Monday : San Casciano Val di Pesa.
Tuesday : Poggibonsi, Firenze.
Wednsesday : Siena, Certaldo.
Thursday : San Gimignano.
Friday : Colle Val D’Elsa, Pienza.
Saturday : Greve in Chianti, Volterra, Castelfiorentino.