Folklore

If you are lovers of local customs and traditions of Italy, then you should not miss out on the local Tuscany festival throughout its territory and at various times of the year. The food festivals in Italy are special occasions when the love of good food is shared: there are outdoor shows, where one can dance and children can play freely.

The historical re-enactments of Italy Tuscany folklore boast exciting medieval games and races, religious devotion and rich parades which will make you want to return to the time of dames and noble knights!
The history of Tuscany is rooted in the memory of the people who take to heart the Italian folklore and the customs and traditions of Italy in each town. The Italy folklore festivals, in fact, are events that draw cities and affect the divisions between neighbourhoods even today.

The fairs and festivals in Tuscany are often organized by volunteers citizens who are committed to revitalizing smaller towns or with less or even no tourists, you will find the excellence of local seasonal products: from steak to ravioli, wild boar or cherries. There is always something for every taste! 
The Culture and traditions of Italy can be appreciated during the sagra festivals in Italy. Tuscan folklore and traditions are a way of gaining a rapid access to understanding the culture and customs of the places where you stay during your tour. Try to get into the Tuscan folklore, if only for one evening, to have fun and get involved. You will see that after a glass of wine and a cut of Chianina everything will be so much easier!

FAIRS AND FESTIVALS. In Tuscany, especially during the summer months, fairs and festivals proliferate in every small village and town - evenings dedicated to food and local crafts. It is not uncommon that the best restaurants to go to for dinner may just be the one at the famous festival of Tuscany. You will long remember that steak done on the grill and as high as a Latin dictionary ! Ah , the old flavours are those that take us back to childhood ... and that will make you want to explore other festivals scattered in the area where you are!
What are today the most memorable and appreciated festivals in Tuscany? The first one is the Truffle Festival in Certaldo, near Florence; it takes place in March, for those who appreciate this noble product, it is an event not to be missed! In the same period in Casentino, in the area of Corsalone, there is the festival of St. Joseph to celebrate Pancake Day.

The Italy sagra calendar of events and festivals in Tuscany also continues during the following month, during Easter Monday, with the beautiful Sagra del Cedro and the Palio dei Botti in Bibbona (Livorno) along the coast. In late April the musical events of the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino begin in Florence.
Mugello (Florence) boasts an ancient Tuscan folklore tradition in May, featuring popular games and music to celebrate the arrival of summer.
June is the month that opens the actual start of summer and outdoor parties where you can spend the warm evenings of Tuscany outside. Traditions and food festivals in Italy come together in a perfect combination where fun is the only rule to follow! We suggest the Cherry Festival in Lari (Pisa), the Mushroom Festival Blackthorn in Firenzuola (Florence) and the Tortelli Festival in Borgo San Lorenzo (Florence), and the Sagra della Miseria in Colle Val d'Elsa.
Lovers of the sea and its fruits will instead opt for the Fish Festival in Caletta of Castiglioncello (Livorno)! Or in June the Vegetarian festivals in Tuscany in the hamlet of Impruneta in Florence! You will see the seitan proposed in many variations and imaginative recipes from which you can get ideas for your dinners with friends!

During the month of July events and festivals in Tuscany increase, so that you will struggle to choose your favourite: Sagra of the frog, Strawberry Sagra, festival of the sea ... each province is unleashed to satisfy the desires of its citizens and to offer their own customs and traditions to visitors and locals!
We strongly recommend you, however, in the midst of food and glasses of wine, not miss two summer events of Tuscany folklore: the Medieval Festival Bianco Azzurra in Castiglione Fiorentino (Arezzo) in June and the wonderful Mercantia Festival in Certaldo (Florence) in July.

In August, in Orbetello (Grosseto), there is the Festival of Fish and Cacciucco that lasts 20 days…is that enough for you?
The end of the summer is not the end of the festivals in Tuscany! In September, look out for the various Grape festivals (Feste dell’Uva) in the medieval villages and in autumn many fetes are dedicated to wine and polenta!

HISTORICAL REENACTMENTS. Tuscany is a land of commemoration, simulation and ancient customs and traditions of Italy still alive to this day. An example of one of the best Tuscan folklore festivals in Tuscany is the legendary Palio di Siena, which takes place on 2 July and 16 August. On the same wavelength, in the style of medieval knights jousting, we also suggest the Giostra del Saracino in Arezzo, between the months of June and September. And the Lesser well known, Tuscany festivals of Giostra dell'Orso in Pistoia in July and the Palio dei Somari at Torrita di Siena in March, a donkey horserace!

Among the popular customs and traditions of Tuscany there are also the historical regattas like the Palio Marinaro of Argentario, which takes place in August in Porto Santo Stefano (Grosseto) and the famous Historical Regatta of San Ranieri in Pisa on 17 June. In Pisa, the patron of the festival anticipates the race with a spectacular illumination of the city that is called Luminara which takes place on 16 June each year. In this month, Pisa also sees the presence of an ancient race called the Gioco del Ponte that wraps up the celebrations of the so-called 'Pisa June'. Y could also pay a visit to the Leaning Tower while you are here!

Also on the Italy sagra calendar and the folklore of Tuscany do not miss out on the Calcio Storico Fiorentino, an event which takes place every year in the historic centre of Florence at the end of June and the Carnival of Viareggio loved by children of all ages. On a carnival theme the are other little-known events such as the Foiano Carnival, the Carnevale dei Figli di Bocco (Carnival of the Sons of Bocco) in Castiglion Fibocchi and the historical Carnival of Bibbiena (linked to the legend of Mea) all in the province of Arezzo.

FAIRS. Customs and traditions of Italy also reside in the antique fairs in Tuscany and its towns. In particular, the most famous events include: the antique fair that takes place in the historic centre of Arezzo the first weekend of each month, the market exhibition of flowers 'Verdemura' in Lucca in March and the Venice Crafts in Florence between April and May.

FOLKLORE. Tuscany is a land of ancient traditions and Italy folklore festivals are often attached to small events that now are confined to smaller areas or on national religious holidays. If you are curious about this hidden reality you will find them on 7 September for the ancient Rificolona Festival mostly dedicated to children or taking part in the Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart) at Easter, always in the Tuscan capital of Florence.
In the religious sphere we suggest the Festival of the Cross in Lucca on 13 September. Finally, other interesting events on the Italy sagra calendar take place in Abbadia San Salvatore in the province of Siena, the Crossbow of Girifalco in Massa Marittima (Grosseto) in May and August and the Festival of St Lucia in Siena on 13 December.

The festivals in Tuscany, today, have been revitalized in order to create a more caring and responsible tourism. They are moments of pure sharing with the desire to share the cultural traditions of Italy and to celebrate and remember certain historical periods, first of all the Middle Ages.
If you are holidaying with children the Italy folklore festivals will be delicious opportunities to entertain them with small animation games, sweet stalls and live music. For you they will be an opportunity to get into closer contact with the customs and traditions of Tuscany!
As for the larger events and more famous festivals, read our page dedicated to major events in Tuscany: we suggest you arrive in good time and arrange your tickets so you do not miss the shows! We have warned you and a word is enough to the wise!