Here is a list of the 5 Festivals in Italy worth a visit. Depending on what time of year you are visiting Italy, mark these festivals down in your agenda.

5 Festivals in Italy

1 CARNEVALE, VENICE
Date: February 11th-28th
The Carnevale in Venice is one of the biggest celebrations in Italy. It takes place every year and attended by over 3 million people each year, it last up to two weeks. The carnival of Venice was started from a victory of the Venice Republic. They have a tradition of wearing mask during the carnevale events. People with different occupations wore different masks. There are many events that takes place during these two weeks such as masquerade balls, parades, concerts and more.

2 PALIO DELL’ASSUNTA, SIENA
Date: July 2 and August 16
Palio dell’Assunta is an event that takes place twice a year in Tuscany. It’s a major horse race held in the town’s central piazza. The first festival is in honor of a famous painting Madonna of Provenzano which was known for having mysterious powers. The second festival is in honor of the Virgin Mary it is the day after the feast of assumption.  After the race there is a major pageant the Corteo Storico, so everyone at the race are dressed up in medieval costumes and have flags they wave around.

3 EASTER SUNDAY
Date: Easter Sunday
Easter is one of the most sacred and celebrated holidays in Italy. It is celebrated by having various parades and events throughout all of Italy, but more so in Southern Italy. They have a tradition to have large wagons filled with fireworks hauled by a team of white oxen with soldiers, musicians, and others following in 15th-century costumes. They usually have a firework show that could last up to around half an hour.

4 ROME’S BIRTHDAY
Date: April 21
On this day Italians celebrate the day Rome was founded. There are many different events that take place on this day for example, historical re-enactments like gladiator fights. The main event is a costumed parade, featuring more than 2,000 gladiators, senators, vestal virgins and priestesses.

5 GELATO FESTIVAL
Date: April (start date varies)
Everyone knows Italy is well known for there gelato making. The gelato festival goes through 12 Italian cities. You’ll have the opportunity to watch gelato makers at work, taste and vote for their favorite flavors, and sample a special flavor. The Event usually last around 6 hours for about 3 days in each city.