FESTIVALS in ITALY in MAY

Emilia Romagna

Modena - Balsamic Vinega Festival

An event exclusively dedicated to balsamic vinegar, one of the city’s famous products.

Sicily

Noto
Ifiorata or Flower Festival. The residents of Noto in the south-east prepare a magnificent carpet of flowers along Via Nicolaci in the historic centre. Themes are taken from religion and mythology. The festival features craft shows, performances of sacred music and tours of religious sites. Antique carriages are bedecked in flowers and paraded in the streets while the locals dance along behind.

Rome

Rome Literature Festival - Last week in May

Veneto

Venice

Vogalonga - Laguna di Venezia

The Vogalonga is the Regatta and Venetian Rowing festival. Thousands of boats sail in front of San Marco through the most important islands of the lagoon.

Festa della Sensa - The feast of Sensa celebrates the "marriage with the sea". During a special ceremony on the water the ring of the bond with the sea is thrown from Bucintoro in front of the port of S. Andrea, water door of Venice.

Umbria

Gubbio - May 15 – Corso dei Ceri – Three huge wooden towers called ceri (candles), weighing 400 kg each are raced around town by changing teams of young men in a fevered atmosphere similar to Pamplona’s Running of the Bulls. This is one of Italy’s most ancient celebrations loaded with pagan implications. Each tower is topped by the small statue of a saint, one of them the town’s beloved 12th century patron, St Ubaldo, who always wins.

Piemonte

Asti

There are also many other events during the year: guided tours to castles from May to October; antique markets at Asti, Nizza Monferrato, Canelli and Moncalvo; winter theatrical events, not only in the towns but also in small provincial theatres and musical events in many churches.

-Palio San Secondo is a 700 year old ceremony with a procession in 13th century costume.

Sardegna

Sassari

Cavalcata Sarda (Sardinian Cavalcade) is a pageant that brings people from all over the island together.

During this event, the town of Sassari bursts into life with colourful costumes and decorations, horse shows, poetry competitions, chants and traditional dances.