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Festival Information Mostra Internazionale dell'Artigianato - Firenze A prestigious annual craft fair which shows a wide range of Tuscan, regional and foreign craftsmanship. Takes place between the end of April and the beginning of March. Il Palio - Siena A horse race held twice each year (July 2 and August 16) in the 13th century town square. Festival dei Popoli - Florence Important European film festival. In November. Festa di San Romolo - Fiesole The patron Saint's day. A big outdoor market in the main square, and at night a fantastic fireworks display, with the town hall decked with Roman candles and whirlers, and rockets staged from both ends of the square. To get to Fiesole from Florence take the #7 bus. Festa della Rificolona - Florence Children carry lanterns, there's a traditional fair in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, and everybody has a great time. Estate in Palazo Pitti - Florence Concerts in Ammannati's Courtyard, in July and August. Estate Fiesolana A series of concerts, ballets and operas held in the Roman Amphitheatre. Beautiful setting and inspiring performances. The performances take place between June and September. Carnevale - San Gimignano To celebrate the end of Lent the town organises a Renaissance tournament in the main square. Il Carnevale di Venezia - Venice The city becomes an enormous costume ball. La Rievocazione Storica del Venerdi Santo- Grassina (just outside Florence) Christ's life and passion; a spectacular display of religious sentiment that culminates with His crucifixion. Artigiano e Palazzo - Florence A fascinating annual craft fair, held in Florence in mid-May. Accademia Chigiana - Siena Series of concerts held by the world's greatest classical musicians and their students. The concerts take place in July, in Mediaeval courtyards and palaces, in the heart of Siena. La Luminara di Santa Croce - Lucca As in Pisa, the Luminara di Santa Croce involves lots of candles. The centre of Lucca is lit by torch and candlelight and there is an enormous procession, largely in period costume, with music and flag-juggling. La Luminara di San Daniele - Pisa In honour of Pisa's Patron Saint all the buildings on both banks of the Arno are outlined with candles. Calcio Storico - Florence Football matches in costume that dates back to the 1500's. The matches themselves are proceeded by a historic procession with figures in period costume. Ends on 24th June, day of San Giovanni. Festa di San Giovanni - Florence In honour of the Patron Saint of the city. Celebrations throughout the day in the streets of the city, including the historic regatta which takes place by the Ponte Vecchio. At 10pm there is a fireworks display. La Giostra dell'Orso - Pistoia To celebrate San Jacopo, Pistoia's Patron Saint, San Jacopo, the city's four neighbourhoods (Golden Bear, Dragon, White Stag and Griffon) hold a joust in Piazza del Duomo. In pairs, the knights race twice around the square and then try to strike the target, a bear, with their lances. Laying out the Carpets - Camaiore, Corpus Domini The Town of Camaiore, near Lucca, covers the streets with carpets of flower petals with religious themes. Il Gioco del Ponte - Pisa The city's neighbourhoods compete over the bridge in the heart of town. Bravio delle Botti The town's neighbourhoods compete, rolling barrels through the streets and up to the Cathedral. Maggio Musicale Fiorentino - Florence Operas and classical concerts given by many of the best performers in the world in Florence's Teatro Comunale, and in the more intimate Teatro della pergola. Performances run from April to June. Rassegna del Jazz - Siena A series of open-air concerts held in the Medici Fortress, during July and August and other things year round. La Nativita Vivente - Barga A Christmas pageant with Mary, Joseph, the Magi and (at midnight) Baby Jesus. A Crib Down Under - Pescaglia A unique creche not far from Barga. Share |