Are you looking for some unique Italian festivals and events to partake in during your visit to Italy?
Weird festivals are found all over the world and you can’t expect Italy to be an exception. There are a number of unique Italian festivals to enjoy in the country.
Italians have a lot of own traditions, conventions, and obsessions. Some foreigners find Italian idiosyncrasies rather weird, some are fascinated by them. But whatever visitors may think, Italian festivals are always fun and interesting.
Just as Italian cuisine and other fabulous Italian attractions are delightful, so are the unique festivals that occur across the country. Some of these unique Italian festivals may seem like mere excuses for a celebration, which is a pretty cool Italian thing. La dolce vita, indeed!
9 Unique Italian Festivals and Events
Head to one or all of these unique Italian festivals and events that you will want to tell your friends for sure!
1. La Festa dei Serpari di Cocullo (The Festival of the Snake Catchers)
When: 1st of May
Where: Cocullo, Abruzzo
This is easily among the most interesting in the list because of the presence of snakes. If you have a passion for these reptiles or are simply looking for something exciting to partake in, then come to Cocullo on the first day of May and join in the fun at the Festival of the Snake Catchers.
Taking place in the mountainous village of Cocullo in the region of Abruzzo, La Festa dei Serpari di Cocullo (The Festival of the Snake Catchers) is definitely one of the most bizarre festivals ever.
The festival is held among the Majella Mountains, where serperi (snake handlers) carry hundreds of specially caught wild snakes and paraded through the medieval streets of Cocullo.
Some of these snakes are wrapped around a statue of San Domenico di Sora, the patron saint against snakebite and tooth. The Festival of the Snake Catchers is an annual celebration in his honor, a token of gratitude for ridding the local fields of snakes in the 11th century.
For your peace of mind – these snakes are the non-venomous grass and green whip kinds, and they are released back into the wild after the parade.
2. Battaglia delle Arance (Battle of the Oranges)
When: around the Christian feasts of the Epiphany and Ash Wednesday
Where: Ivrea, Piedmont
Definitely one of the craziest and most widely-anticipated festivals in Italy, the Battle of the Oranges is the largest food fight in the country and its neighbors. Established in 1808, this three-day long festival is also the oldest of its kind.
A highlight of the Carnival of Ivrea, the origin of Battaglia delle Arance dates back to medieval times. It’s tradition of throwing oranges between organized groups, a historical reenactment of the day the city was liberated from the harsh rule of its tyrant.
Legend has it that in the 13th century, an evil marquis who starved the city tried to rape a miller’s daughter called Violetta. He failed, however, and ended decapitated by Violetta instead. This ignited the uprising that has been recalled since as The Battle of Oranges.
Today, thousands of townspeople join in the historic reenactment during the Carnival of Ivrea. They violently throw oranges at each other, consuming hundreds to nearly a thousand tons of the fruit.
3. Calcio Fiorentino / Calcio Storico (Historic Football)
When: 3rd week of June
Where: Florence, Tuscany
This one makes it to the list for its sheer brutality.
We know that Italians are some of the greatest football fans in the world. But do you know their passion for the sport dates back to the Middle Ages?
Also known as Calcio Fiorentino, calcio storico (“historic football”) is said to have originated from the Roman harpastum that dates back to the 16th-century Florence. It involved body combat, so it was very popular among the legionary soldiers.
Calcio storico is actually a combination of soccer, rugby, and hardcore wrestling. It is by far the most brutal way to play football, using handmade balls of cloth or animal skin. The brutal match has, for decades, resulted in major injuries and even death.
The final match is always played on June 24, the feast day of San Giovanni, patron saint of Florence. It takes place at around 5 PM.
The festival is culminated in a spectacular fireworks display over the River Amo. A lively atmosphere in Florentine bars and pubs are sure to follow. However, also make sure to sample some great Florentine street food; it’s a good time to do it!
- Also read: 13 Most Popular Sports in Italy
4. The Rite of the Vattienti (Self-flagellation)
When: Holy Week
Where: Nocera Terinese, Calabria
This one’s not for the faint of heart.
In the town of Nocera Terinese in the region of Calabria, a unique ritual takes place every year during Easter. It’s an ancient Spanish influence found in Southern Italy, a testimony to the strength of the Roman Catholic religion in the area.
The rite of the Vattienti (self-flagellation) involves the “faithful penitents” and a lot of gore.
The penitents go on a ritual procession where they rhythmically hit their legs with a glass-spintered cork disc over and over. This is literally a bloody event, with wines poured by bystanders and onlookers serving as sort of disinfectant. The procession concludes at the feet of the statue of Virgin Mary.
This religious tradition has been observed by the Nocera people since the 15th century. It is riddled with controversy, however, as it’s viewed by some – the Holy See, most particularly – as a fanatical sadomasochistic ritual. This led to the event’s prohibition imposed by the Italian government which lasted until 1997.
The Vattienti tradition has been passed down from fathers to sons in Nocera Terinese. You may want to witness this event so you can tell your friends.
5. Palio della Rana (Race of the Frog)
When: on the Sunday after Easter
Where: Fermignano, Marche
This is perhaps the most entertaining in the list.
This one is the Le Marche town of Fermignano’s answer to the world-famous Palio di Sienna. No doubt, Palio della Rana is the most famous frog race in the world.
The Palio della Rana is considered a historical tournament, starting in 1607, at the time of Fermignano’s independence from the rulers of Urbino. This marvelous event warranted great celebrations and new traditions. The Palio della Rana festival was among the new traditions spawned by this milestone in Fermignano’s history and the only one to have survived.
Every year, on the Sunday after Easter, the town is filled with historical costumes, street performances, and huge displays of local arts and crafts. And did I mention wicked local food? A solemn mass is also held where Palio of the Putti (the blessing of the frogs) happens.
A participant in the wacky tournament is called scarrolliante. He must rush to the finish line, carrying his rana (frog) on a carriola (pushcart), as spectators cheer and laugh on the sidelines. If the frog jumps off the carriola, the scarrolliante stops to put it back on. The course is 170m. long and runs over bumpy terrain, so you can expect this to be an exciting race. The first one to reach the finish line with the frog still on the pushcart wins.
6. Festa del Cornuto (Feast of the Horned)
When: around 11 November
Where: Rocca Canterano, Lazio
Here’s for all the cuckolds of the world. On the weekend around 11 November, you’ve got your special day! It takes place in the Lazio town of Rocca Canterano, which is about an hour from the center of Rome.
Festa del Cornuto or the Feast of the Horned, otherwise known as the Cuckold Feast, is a crazy feast that pays homage to the betrayed husbands. It was invented by goliards in the Middle Ages to make Sagra della Rola – the “feast of the roasted chestnut” which fell around 11 November – a fun event.
Apart from making fun of these cuckolds, this comic show involves a simulated hunting, in which they must play the role of deer to bring the symbols of marital betrayal.
The Italian expression “portare le corna” or “essere cornuti” – which translates as “to carry horns” – implies that the betrayed husband is almost always the last to learn of the adultery. The horns are seen by everyone except the one who has them on his head.
Another common Italian expression is “sbatterci le corna,” which is literally translated as “to crush one’s horns against something.” It means that only when one gets hurt does he realize his error or oversight.
So, going back. The poor cornuti must parade through the streets of Rocca Canterano wearing deer horns, starting from the Piazza di Corte, which is the highest point of Rocca Canterano. Here the cuckolds, dressed in white habits and pairs of horns on their heads, hide in blind alleys.
During this event, a poet pokes fun at the poor participants with his stinging verses. The cuckold of the year is seated on a throne and holds a beautiful flask of new wine in his hand.
Like every Italian festival, Festa del Cornuto also involves a lot of gastronomic delights. You can sample local specialties like cecamariti (handmade pasta), role (roasted chestnuts), and loads of wine. There are also lots of singing and dancing so every visitor is sure to be always entertained.
7. Palio dei Somari (Donkey Race Festival)
When: 19 March if it falls on a Sunday, otherwise the Sunday after 19 March
Where: Torrita di Siena, Tuscany
The Tuscan province of Siena has more than Palio di Siena to offer.
In the town of Torrita di Siena, some 80 km. southeast of Florence, you can partake in a donkey race festival they call the Palio dei Somari.
This event is held in honor of San Giuseppe (Saint Joseph), the patron saint of carpenters, due to the fact that woodworking has always been a part of life in Torrita di Siena.
They chose the donkey to represent the event because it’s a hardworking and humble animal.
The Palio dei Somari has been around since 1966. The festival is participated by the townspeople from Torrita di Siena’s eight districts, clad in medieval costumes.
The donkey race competition is held in the open space outside the walls of Torrita di Siena. There are eight competing donkeys, representing the eight districts, with jockeys aiming to be the first to reach the finish line after four rounds.
The winning contrada (district) is given the year’s banner, which they will victoriously display in their headquarters.
8. Plodar Vosenòcht (Carnival of Sapadda)
When: the three Sundays preceding Lent
Where: Sapadda, Friuli-Venezia Giulia
On the northern slopes of the Dolomites, the Friuli-Venezia Giulia comune of Sapadda celebrates the Carnival during the three Sundays preceding Lent.
Each Sunday is dedicated to a category of Sappada inhabitants that lived in the village: Paurn Suntacch (peasants’ Sunday), Pèttlar Suntacch (the Sunday of the paupers), and Hearn Suntacch (the lords’ Sunday). During the Carnevale di Sapadda, the inhabitants are teased by some masks that symbolize them in a comical way.
All parades involve the presence of that mask that is the symbol of Sappada. It’s called Rollate, a sort-of great man-bear with a wooden mask and two big bells. Rollate is the protagonist in the event. He is challenged by children whom he chases and catches. He then punishes them by wielding a broom on their bottoms in a playful way.
The Carnival of Sapadda is a feast of fun, merriment, and jokes, as well as an intense moment of folklore and tradition.
9. Luminara di San Ranieri (Candle Light Festival)
When: 16 June
Where: Pisa, Tuscany
When dusk falls on the 16th of June every year, 70,000 wax candles are lit, illuminating the Tuscan city of Pisa.
It’s that night of the year that the magic of the Luminara of San Ranieri comes alive.
The wax candles are placed in transparent glasses and hung on white frames made of wood. Floating candles are also put into the Arno and swept away by its current.
This fabulous light display is a celebration in honor of San Ranieri, the city’s patron saint whose feast day is June 17th.
This unique Pisani tradition originated in 1688, when the urn that kept the body of Ranieri degli Scaccieri, who died in 1161, was placed in the Duomo of Pisa’s chapel. To commemorate the event, the city started hosting the Luminara of San Ranieri festival.