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 the saint 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. Fireworks display from the terraced gardens overlooking the city, June 24th.

Foligno

GIOSTRA della QUINTANA (Joust of the Quintana) - Second Sunday in September - Revival

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 witch 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 - Second 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 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 masked 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 Pisa

CELEBRATION of the EPIPHANY from the BYZANTINE RITE - January 6
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 price.

Roma

EPIPHANY FAIR at PIAZZA NAVONA - January 5th - A fair of toys, sweets and others presents takes place in the open air among the beautiful Bernini fountains.
FESTA DE' NOANTRI - July 19th to 26th - Folklore of Old Rome in Trastevere, including 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 horserace. 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.

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