The Best Events to Experience in Tuscany Year Round

January

January: The Epiphany and the Palio di Sant’Antonio Abate

Locations: Buti (Pisa), Piancastagnaio (Siena), Montepulciano (Siena)

Sant’Antonio Abate (Saint Anthony the Abbot) is a Christian saint revered as both protector of domestic animals and patron of skin diseases. Legend holds that he went to hell to steal the devil’s firebrand; while distracting the devil, his piglet sneaked in and stole one for Earthly use! As such his feast day is often celebrated on January 17th with processions, music performances, food offerings, and bonfires as symbols of fertility purification and renewal for the new year ahead.

Sant’Antonio Abate Festival is an ancient pagan ritual that has since been integrated into Christian practice, to commemorate and honor Sant’Antonio Abate while blessing animals, celebrating community spirit, and spreading cheer in one celebration after another.

Palio di Sant’Antonio Abate is an annual horse race honoring Saint Antony Abate held annually on the third Sunday in January at Buti, near Pisa. It is preceded by an extravagant procession featuring people dressed in medieval garb and flags.

February: Carnival

February: Viareggio (Lucca), Foiano della Chiana (Arezzo), San Gimignano (Siena)

February is Carnival month, a festive period leading up to Lent that features masks, costumes, parades and parties galore! Tuscany boasts some of Italy’s most stunning carnivals such as Viareggio’s paper-mâché float parade; Foiano della Chiana’s carnival, claimed as Italy’s oldest; and San Gimignano’s medieval-themed celebration.

Festa della Candelora, or Candlemas, is another event held each February commemorating Jesus’ presentation at the temple. Held annually on February 2, this religious holiday includes rituals and traditions such as lighting candles for blessing, eating crepes and forecasting weather forecasts. Tuscany offers unique ceremonies commemorating this holiday. In Piancastagnaio, people throw stones at an old oak tree while Montepulciano residents light torches and stroll around town with them.

March: The Explosion of the Cart

March: Florence, Arezzo, Piancastagnaio (Siena), Montepulciano (Siena)

Scoppio del Carro: Easter is a movable feast that can occur in March or April, and it is celebrated with various religious and folkloric events in Tuscany. One of the most famous and spectacular ones is the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart), which takes place in Florence on Easter Sunday. It consists of a huge wooden cart filled with fireworks that is pulled by oxen from Porta al Prato to Piazza del Duomo. There, it is ignited by a dove-shaped rocket that flies from the cathedral’s altar along a wire. The explosion is supposed to bring good luck and prosperity to the city.

Festa della donna: Another event that is fixed in March is the Festa delle Donne, or Women’s Day, a global celebration of women’s achievements and rights. It is celebrated on March 8 with various events, such as marches, rallies, concerts, exhibitions, and workshops. In Italy, it is also customary to give yellow mimosa flowers to women as a symbol of appreciation and solidarity. You can find mimosas everywhere in Tuscany on this day, from street vendors to shops to restaurants. 🌼

Festa di Santa Fina takes place in San Gimignano on March 12th. This is a solemn celebration of the city’s patron saint, who was a young girl who lived a life of piety and miracles. The event includes a historical parade, a fair, and a mass in the Basilica of Santa Maria Assunta.

April: The Easter Celebrations and the Scoppio del Carro

April: Florence

Scoppio del Carro: When Easter is in April, the Scoppio del Carro, or Explosion of the Cart, takes place in Florence on Easter Sunday. It is a folk tradition that involves a huge wooden cart filled with fireworks that is ignited by a dove-shaped rocket (see March description above).

May: Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

May: Florence, Arezzo

Maggio Fiorentino: May is the month of music in Tuscany, thanks to the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a two-month-long festival with opera, concerts, and ballet featuring international artists. It is the oldest music festival in Italy and one of the oldest in Europe. It takes place in the superb Teatro dell’Opera di Firenze between late April and June and features operas, concerts, ballets, and other cultural events. You can see this year’s program on the Maggio Fiorentino’s official site.

June: Pisa, Certaldo (Florence), Siena

Giostra del Saraceno: Another event that takes place in May is the Giostra del Saracino, or Joust of the Saracen, a medieval tournament that takes place in Arezzo on the last Sunday of May (and again on the first Sunday of September). It involves four knights representing four districts who have to hit a wooden target held by a rotating figure of a Saracen warrior. The event is accompanied by a colorful procession of people wearing historical costumes.

Luminara di San Ranieri: June is an illuminated month in Tuscany thanks to the magical event known as Luminara di San Ranieri or Candlemas of Saint Ranieri which takes place in Pisa on June 16th. On this night, thousands of candles are decorated across bridges, doors, windows, and boats along the Arno River as part of Luminara di San Ranieri; fireworks and music round out this wonderful experience!

July: Palio di Siena & Puccini Festival

July: Torre del Lago (Lucca), Certaldo (Florence), Siena

Palio di Siena: One of Tuscany’s most beloved and thrilling events takes place each June: the Palio di Siena or Horse Race of Siena is held twice annually on June 29 and August 13 in Piazza del Campo, Siena’s main square. Ten horses with riders wearing colors of their contrades (districts) compete to claim the palio (banner), preceded by a historical parade filled with people dressed up as medieval knights wearing medieval costumes and flags. It lasts only minutes but offers an incredible atmosphere that cannot be rivaled anywhere.

The Palio is held over four days; on the morning of day one, each participating Contrada (district) receives their horse in an assembly called Tratta and six trials occur between 9 AM and 7:45 PM (7 PM for August). Prova Generale and Provaccia are two trials held during Palio morning. Together, they comprise three laps around Piazza del Campo on an uneven track high above its shell and are called Palio races respectively. From the Mossa, bounded by two ropes, nine Contrades are assembled to form the race’s grid. A lottery determines their order as they line up against each other before entering for their turn at the rincorsa race. When their last Contrada enters for this round and triggers it, the front rope lowered indicating its start; whichever Contrada completes three laps first emerges as victor.

Puccini Festival: July is the month of opera and theater in Tuscany, thanks to the Puccini Festival and the Mercantia. The Puccini Festival is dedicated to the great Tuscan opera composer Giacomo Puccini and takes place in the open-air theater set on the Massaciuccoli lakefront, a truly striking location in Torre del Lago (Lucca). The program of events runs from late July to late August and features some of Puccini’s most famous operas, such as La Bohème, Tosca, Madama Butterfly, and Turandot.

Mercantia Festival: Certaldo Alto’s medieval hill town near Florence hosts an annual street theater festival called Mercantia that brings thousands of spectators each July for performances featuring actors, musicians, dancers, acrobats, clowns puppeteers, and fire eaters transforming Certaldo Alto into an amazing and vibrant stage where anything could happen! The annual celebration draws over 44,000 attendees.

August: The Palio Marinaro dell’Argentario and the Bravio delle Botti

August: Porto Santo Stefano (Grosseto), Montepulciano (Siena)

Palio Marinaro: August is an exciting month in Tuscany for both sea and wine enthusiasts, thanks to the Palio Marinaro dell’Argentario and Bravio delle Botti festivals. The Palio Marinaro dell’Argentario is an annual rowing race held in Porto Santo Stefano on the Argentario promontory (Grosseto). Held every August 15, this race celebrates the Ferragosto national holiday; four boats representing four districts compete for its palio or banner; before this race, a historical parade featuring maritime costumes is held.

The Bravio delle Botti barrel-rolling race takes place each year on the last Sunday in August in Montepulciano, an Italian hill town known for its wine. Eight teams representing eight districts race heavy wooden barrels uphill along a 1.8km course ending in Piazza Grande. A historical parade featuring people dressed in Renaissance attire precedes this event and the winner receives a cloth painted to honor San Giovanni Decollato as its patron saint.

September: Rificona Festival

September: Florence, Gaiole in Chianti (Siena)

Rificona Festival: September is the month of lanterns and bicycles in Tuscany thanks to two annual traditions: Rificolona and L’Eroica festivals. Rificolona takes place annually on September 7, the eve of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. Children parade through Florence streets with paper lanterns while singing folk songs and playing games together while their parents look on. This festival dates back centuries when farmers would come from surrounding counties to Florence to market their goods while paying their respects at Basilica Santissima Annunziata before returning home!

L’Eroica: Held annually at Gaiole in Chianti (Siena), L’Eroica is an international vintage bicycle race held on the first Sunday in October in Gaiole in Chianti (Siena). Attracting thousands of cyclists worldwide who ride vintage bicycles along dirt roads and scenic routes past vineyards, castles, and villages. Although not competitive per se, this event serves to celebrate cycling culture and history through various routes ranging from 35 km up to 209 km, perfect for cyclists of all abilities!

October: Wine and White Truffle Festivals

October: San Miniato (Pisa), Montalcino (Siena), Montepulciano (Siena), Asciano (Siena), Radda in Chianti (Florence)

Tuscany offers many events and festivals throughout the year, but especially during October when autumn’s colors and flavors shine brightest.

Some major festivities celebrated in Tuscany during this montharer: Festa del Vino Novello, held annually across Tuscany in such locations as San Miniato, Montalcino, Montepulciano, and Radda in Chianti. This festival of new wine allows participants to sample its inaugural vintage—usually fruity and light—accompanied by delectable local foods such as chestnuts, cheese and salami; music, art and cultural events that honor Tuscan wine history are also hallmarks of this Festa.🍷

Festa del Tartufo Bianco: A white truffle festival—known as the “diamond of the kitchen,” is held annually in San Miniato. It is one of Italy’s premier events of its kind, drawing thousands to experience its exquisite aroma and flavor; You will also enjoy guided tours, cooking shows, tastings concerts, and exhibitions featuring the finest of white truffle varieties available worldwide.

The Festival attracts over 1000 visitors annually who come to experience its unique fragrance and flavor that makes this event worth their while!

Festa della Vendemmia: Held annually throughout Tuscany at various locations such as Asciano, Montalcino, and Montepulciano, this festival honors every step of wine production from grape harvesting through pressing and fermentation with parades, contests, games, wine tasting events, and much more taking place during this celebration. Festa della Vendemmia serves to recognize both the hard work and dedication of Tuscan wine producers while celebrating their quality products.

November: The Festa di Ognissanti and the Fiera Antiquaria

November: Arezzo, San Miniato (Pisa)

November in Tuscany is known for being the month of saints and antiques thanks to two annual events—Festa di Ognissanti (All Saints’ Day) and Fiera Antiquaria. Festa di Ognissanti is a religious feast honoring all saints from Catholic tradition and takes place annually on November 1 with masses, processions, visits to cemeteries, as well as folkloric traditions associated with this feast, such as San Gimignano children collecting sweets or nuts door to door during this religious holiday celebration.

Fiera Antiquaria: Arezzo is home to one of Italy’s oldest and largest antique markets—Fiera Antiquaria or Antiques Fair, held every first weekend except August on Piazza Grande and surrounding streets, drawing hundreds of exhibitors as well as thousands of visitors in search of furniture, paintings, books, jewelry or other rare and valuable objects such as furniture. It attracts hundreds of exhibitors as well as thousands of shoppers searching for rare or valuable objects like furniture, paintings books jewelry, etc.

December: The Christmas Markets and the Fiaccole di Natale

December: Florence, Pisa, Arezzo, San Gimignano (Siena), Lucca

Tuscany comes alive during December with festive events celebrating both holiday traditions and local customs.

Christmas Markets: Florence hosts one of its largest Christmas markets at Basilica di Santa Croce piazza. The Santa Croce Weihnachtsmarkt continues the traditions established in Germany during the 12th century and spread across neighboring countries, offering all the charm and excitement associated with historic markets. Since 1494, Florence’s Weihnachtsmarkt market has been an annual tradition worth visiting during the holiday season. Running from November 28th until December 20th (10 am-10 pm), enjoy strolling amongst festive German-style wooden stalls offering local and international products for sale.

The Santa Croce market serves traditional, delicious foods such as bratwurst and pretzels. They make a tasty, hearty meal with kraut or a beer. A must-try treat is Kürtőskalács, also known as chimney cake, topped with your choice of yummy toppings such as cinnamon and chocolate. A hot cup of mulled wine is the ideal holiday drink to warm you up on a cold winter’s day, and some stalls even let you keep the mug as a souvenir! Other fun international treats are available at the Dutch crepes and waffles stall and the Austrian booths filled with enticing pastries.

Other popular markets are the Mercato nel Campo in Piazza del Campo in Siena, and the Mercatino di Natale in Piazza Cisterna in San Gimignano. 🎁

Siena’s Christmas Illuminations: Siena is famous for its incredible Christmas lights and decorations. The city transforms into a festive wonderland, with festive displays adorning the iconic Piazza del Campo. A huge Christmas tree that stands in front of Palazzo Pubblico illuminates every evening between December 8th and January 6th as part of this spectacular spectacle.

Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo: Although most jousting events take place during summer, Arezzo hosts a unique Christmas edition of Giostra del Saracino—an ancient medieval jousting tournament—every December. Four knights representing different quarters compete to hit wooden targets using lances as part of this medieval tournament; its winner receives a golden lance as a prize.

San Gimignano Winter Events: San Gimignano is known for its medieval charm and is home to various winter events throughout December, such as Christmas concerts, markets, and market stalls as well as festive street fairs. One unique event held here each year is Presepe Vivente or Living Nativity which recreates Jesus’ birth with real people and animals on December 24-25 and attracts many people looking for that Christmas feel in medieval surroundings.

Celebrate New Year’s Eve: Join lively New Year’s Eve celebrations in major Tuscan cities such as Florence and Pisa. Enjoy fireworks, live music performances, and an enjoyable atmosphere while Tuscans usher in the new year. Some of the best spots include Piazzale Michelangelo in Florence, offering breathtaking panoramic views over Florence and Arno River, as well as Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa where the Leaning Tower and Cathedral illuminated by fireworks can be admired. 🎆

Lucca hosts an amazing Festival of Lights that illuminates its historic architecture creating a magical atmosphere for residents and visitors alike. Running from December 8th until January 6th, this festive light installation includes various light installations and projections that enhance its beauty and charm; one such light installation is the Luminaria di Santa Croce on December 13th which illuminates the Basilica San Frediano facade.

These festivities capture the spirit of December by mixing Tuscan traditions with its joyful festivities. 💡

Conclusion

As this post has shown, Tuscany boasts an astoundingly varied calendar of events each year that cater to many interests, ranging from historical festivals and religious celebrations to music, art, and gastronomy events. Be it the medieval charm of Palio di Siena or Puccini Festival opera performances or wine & truffle festivals: Tuscany offers unforgettable cultural experiences.

Pick your favorite events and plan your trip accordingly to maximize impactful and lasting memories! Have you attended any of these events? Comment below!