Six Italian Festivals You Wouldn’t Want

to Miss

Italy loves celebrations. No matter what time of the year you are visiting Italy, you are sure to find a feste or sagre.

Despite the numerous festivals in different cities and towns, these are six Italian festivals you wouldn’t want to miss.

Befana in Piazza Navona

From the beginning of December until the evening of January 6, the fountain-filled Piazza Navona in Rome is transformed into a festive Christmas wonderland.

There are carnival games and a colorful carousel. Market stalls sell nativity figurines, gifts and plenty of sweet treats.

Feast of Saint Anthony

January 17 marks the Feast of

Saint Anthony the Abbot and is

traditionally celebrated with a

papal blessing of the animals.

Saint Peter’s Square fills with sheep, horses, pigs, even an elegant white peacock! In smaller towns, people bring their beribboned pets for the annual blessing by the parish priest.

photo credit: http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/1096986

Carnevale in Venice

You will find the streets and piazzas filled with numerous masked revelers during this festive event.

There are daily parades in Saint Mark’s Square and evening musical performances. The celebrations end with a midnight silent water parade along the Grand Canal.

Umbria Jazz

Twice a year, the towns and cities across the Umbrian countryside host an internationally acclaimed Jazz Festival.

The Winter festival in the town of Orvieto runs from December 28 to January 1 while the Summer festival, with main events in Perugia, runs from July 11 to 20.

You can hear funk, New Orleans-style and classic jazz on stages set up in the main piazzas, in theaters and in small clubs and restaurants.

Natale di Roma

The founding of the Eternal City is celebrated on April 21.

The day is filled with historical re-enactments in the Circo Massimo and a parade in front of the Colosseum complete with centurions, gladiators and Roman maidens.

In the evening, there is usually a light show and music and sometimes fireworks along the via Fori Imperiali.

Ferragosto

With ancient roots dating

back to the emperor

Augustus and religious

significance celebrating the

Assumption of the Virgin

Mary, August 15 is one of

the most important Italian

holidays.

Ferragosto is mostly celebrated at the beach with friends and family.

There are crowds and festivities in resort areas and the day will end with a fireworks show.

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