An incomplete list of some of the many events that are run in Tuscany over the course of a year. The link under each title is a three-words link to the place, so you can choose which navigator you'd prefer to use.
January
Palio of Buti
Every year in January, on the first Sunday after the 17th, Buti holds its very own Palio horse race. The day starts with a Holy Mass, a feast, a parade that ends at the Cathedral where the horses are blessed. The races then take place in three heats plus a final. The whole event is surrounded by feasts and celebration, with every Contrada throwing a banquet.
It's a good idea not to just watch the race, but to take in the whole experience, starting a few days before with dinners in the contrade. These help bring the contradaioli together and get everyone excited. There's also a fantastic historical parade that brings the area's rich past to life, with ladies, knights, and important figures adding to the atmosphere.
February
Carnevale di Viareggio
The famous carneval - perhaps not quite as famous as the Carneval of Venice, but a big event. There will be giant allegorical carts with papier-maché figures, often of political events and personalities - it's a chance for the country to poke fun at their politicians and celebrities. There will be a series of events, on the 8th, 16th, 22nd and 27th of February, and on the 2nd and 4th of March.
Carnevale di Foiano della Chiana
A Carneval in Foiano della Chiana on the 9th, 16th, 23rd of February, and on the 2nd and 9th of March. Extravagant parades down the streets of Foiano della Chiana, a small town between Arezzo and Lake Trasimeno, west of Cortona.
March
New Year in Pisa
According to the Pisans, New Year begins on the 25th of March, and it's marked by a shaft of sunlight that comes through a small window in the Cathedral and hits an egg-shaped shelf, marking the start of the year. Until the middle of the eighteenth-century the city of Pisa had its own calendar and it differed from the Julian calendar that was generally in use - the Pisans considered that the New Year should start at the Annunciation, 9 months before Christmas. Though abolished in 1749 the city continues to celebrate the 25th of March.
Expect a historical cortege and city-wide celebrations, centred around the Duomo and the leaning tower in Piazza dei Miracoli.
Donkey Palio in Torrita di Siena
Usually running for a week from the second Saturday in March, this is a donkey race where the local 'contrade' compete for a Palio, just like in Siena. Unlike the race in Siena, donkeys very much have minds of their own and encouraging them to follow the route and keep moving can be very tricky indeed. Palio dei Somari a Torrita di Siena
April
Scoppio del Carro in Florence
On Easter Sunday, in Piazza del Duomo in Florence, crowds gather to watch the Scoppio del Carro, a popular event when a flying dove travels along a wire and sets off a cart filled with fireworks. This unique tradition started during the crusades when a brave captain, Pazzino de'Pazzi, was the first to climb the walls of Jerusalem and received in thanks three splinters of the Holy Sepulchre, today preserved in the Church of the Holy Apostles.
At 11 the “colombina” (a dove-shaped rocket) leaves the main altar of the Cathedral and, sliding along a wire, crosses the entire central nave to the Cart, where it lights hundreds of multicolored fireworks including a sparkling pinwheel placed on top. The dove is then “shot” along the wire again to return to the starting point. The success of its flight is traditionally a good omen for a rich and abundant harvest.
May
Maggio Musicale Fiorentino
This is a series of musical events that run from April to June iin Florence. Expect Opera, concerts, ballet and theatre. For the full programme have a look at the schedule on the website:
Maggiolata Lucignanese
A festival of flowers in Lucignano - a town near Cortona and Arezzo - when the whole town is covered in floral arrangements - there are parades, banquets and events.
Balestro del Girifalco
A crossbow competition in Massa Marittima, accompanied by historical processions, big outdoor meals and general festivities. The crossbows are rigorously medeival and the contest is fought between the main areas of the city. Balestro del Girifalco
June
Calcio Storico in Florence
Directions to Piazza Santa Croce for Calcio Storico
A startling competition, a little like rugby but far more violent, this is an amazing spectacle. The are four teams from different quarters of Florence and the matches are played for 50 minutes on sand that is laid down in Piazza Santa Croce. You can find out where to buy tickets for the Calcio Storico on our page.
Lucca Summer Festival
This is a music festival that spans June and July, a series of concerts in Lucca. Musicians who have played here in the past include the Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Gorillaz, Lenny Kravitz and many more. Have a look here to find a place to stay near Lucca.
Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo
A long standing jousting festival in Arezzo, this is held twice a year, once on the penultimate Saturday of June and then again on the first Sunday of September. It was mentioned by Dante Alighieri in his Divine Comedy and has been running continuously since then, barring a small pause during WWII. Find a place to stay near Arezzo
July
Medieval Festival in Monteriggioni
Called "Monteriggioni di Torri si corona" this is an event where the whole village dresses in medieval clothes, you change your money for ducats when entering the village and there are great evnts like big medieval banquets and similar. Guests are encouraged to also dress up, and the atmosphere, particularly in the early evening with torches lighting the streets, can be quite magical.
Mercantia in Certaldo
A festival of street music and street performers in the medieval centre of Certaldo. This is a magical experience, I've walked through the narrow medieval streets at night watching trapeze artists, jugglers, puppeteers and all sorts of street artists perform in the flickering light of the fire-eaters torches.
August
Palio di Siena
Directions to Siena and Piazza del Campo
The famous horse race round the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, this is run on the 2 July and on the 16 August. The celebrations last four days and it's worth seeing the 'prove' and squeezing yourself into the centre of the square for an exciting and primal spectacle of city-wide shared emotions. Find a villa near Siena
Volterra AD1398
The city of Volterra returns to its medieval period, with everybody in period costume. Knights prowl the streets, merchants, priests and elegant dames walk among the jugglers, musicians and jokers. A recreation of the middle ages that brings the architecture of the town to life. Villas near Volterra
Livorno Effetto Venezia
A festival centred around the canals of the Venezia quarter of Livorno, with street food, performers and markets. It has been running for over 40 years now and is a lovely way to explore the city. Livorno is a city worth exploring, have a look at our guide to Livorno. To find somewhere close near the city, have a look at our villas near Livorno.
September
Expo Chianti Classico
On the second weekend in September many of winemakers of Chianti come together in Piazza Matteotti in Greve in Chianti. Expect lots of winetastings, events and wine talks.
Blu Etrusco in Murlo
Murlo is a tiny village with an excellent museum of Etruscan finds, and one of the few places where finds related to everyday Etruscan life have been found: most of what we have of the Etruscans relates to their tombs and care of their dead. In September the village turns to re-enactments of all that's known of the Etruscans, with Etruscan wine and dishes recreated, everyday life re-enacted, and workshops galore.
Donkey Palio in Asciano
On the second Sunday in September Asciano has its own Palio but with donkeys. It was started as a gentle laugh at nearby Siena but has gained its own reputation and energy. Today it has a historic cortege, flag-throwers, great communal feasts and, of course, a donkey race.
Asciano Donkey Race (on facebook)
October
Eroica Bike Race in Chianti
Directions to Gaiole in Chianti
Every first Sunday in October the Eroica is a vintage bike race that starts from Gaiole in Chianti. It's raced on the 'strade bianche' (gravel roads) on vintage bikes, and is a nostalgic look at cycling and at Tuscany, not an all out competition.
There is now a permanent route that anybody can ride throughout the year - you'll find the GPX track here: GPX of permanent Eroica route. If you stayed in Docciole you could set off from your front door step to cycle the loop - though it might be handy to have somebody back at base in case your legs give out; the route is 207km, with around 3,800 metres of climbing.
Lucca Comics
An extraordinarily popular celebration of Comics in the city of Lucca, with plenty of Cosplay characters and events related to animation and comics. Normally held at the end of October.
November
White Truffle in San Miniato
On the last three weekends in November San Miniato holds a festival dedicated to white truffles - a gourmet's delight. San Miniato is a world-renowned centre for truffles, and the largest truffle in the world was discovered here in 1954, so it has a great tradition of finding, preparing and eating truffle dishes. White Truffle San Miniato
December
Open Wineries in Greve in Chianti
Directions to Greve in Chianti
This is actually an event that runs in other parts of the year too, a large group of Tuscan wineries that open their doors to visitors, and a chance to see places that are normally closed. In December wine tasting are linked to Christmas markets with wine-related gifts. List of open wineries
Find a Villa in Chianti as a base to visit the wineries.
Author: Dan Wrightson
Dan Wrightson grew up in Tuscany, Italy and has been writing about, sketching and exploring Tuscany and Italy since 1983.
12th Dec 2024 22nd Apr 2025