Festivals in Italy:
in undiscovered Maremma

Festivals in Italy: Food Festivals

Maremman food festivals comprise "degustazione" and "le sagre". The former normally form part of a towns festivals, with local food and wine stalls from which you may taste and purchase "prodotti tipici della Maremma" (typical Maremman produce).

The latter, "le sagre", also often an integral part of the aforementioned events, are a highlight of summer and autumn evenings throughout Maremma.

Held in many towns and villages, they are a place - usually outdoors (but covered) - where friends, families, visitors, holidaymakers, the lot, gather in a great atmosphere to eat home-cooked - "cucina casalinga" - local Maremman food.

And it is good food, but then we are talking about a food event in Italy!

Click here for more information about Le Sagre.

The "degustazione" events are included in each towns festival listings.

Festivals in Italy: Wine Festivals

When the grapes have been harvested and the first new wine pressed, many of the towns in Maremma open their doors and "cantinas" (cellars) for a celebration. Here you can sip the local wine, try the speciality "dolce" pastries, and generally pass an enjoyable afternoon relaxing with the local Maremmani population and visitors alike. These festivals often have street musicians, barbecues, and activities and play areas for children.

A visit to the cantinas themselves is quiet something. Some of them, for example in Caldana, are three or more stories deep from ground level: not for the claustrophobic.

If you manage to visit the town of Scansano during its late September "Feste dell'Uva" (Morellino wine festival), try the Osteria Il Rifrullo for a refreshment or light lunch and, if you are lucky, the owner will share with you his own homemade strawberry wine... gorgeous. Click the Scansano link below to read more.

Or click here for a listing and information for all of the wine festivals in Maremma.

Have a great time!

Festivals in Italy: Medieval Festivals

Maremma has a rich and colourful medieval past, in which cities and towns changed hands many times between rival provinces and families... This history is well preserved in the many medieval festivals and re-inactments throughout the year.

Costumed prosessions, incredible flag throwing displays, races and competitions, fill a town with colour, music, tension and excitement. It is a great time to experience a medieval hill town and imagine what it was like centuries ago.

Wonderful: don't miss them if you can help it. You will return home with memories that last a lifetime.

For one such spectacle full of colour, paegeant and fierce rivalry, plan a trip to Massa Marittima to coincide with the twice-yearly medieval Balestro del Girifalco - the Gerfalcon Crossbow competition.

Click here for all of the medieval festivals throughout the year in Maremma.

Music and Opera Festivals

Such as the Grey Cat Jazz Festival held from the middle of July to the end of August each year.

The latin, strings and brass bands of the Santa Fiora in Musica.

The Toscana della Culture singers and quartets.

And the Lirica in Piazza opera festival held in cathedral square - Piazza garibaldi - in Massa Marittima during the fisrt week in August.

Or the Parco Centrale Follonica Estate programme packed every summer with concerts, musicals, recitals, film and beach parties.

There are more... Click here for the full list.

Theatre Festivals

Check out the programme of the Festival Teatro delle Rocce in Gavorrano.

For example, on San. Lorenzo night - the 10th August - the Calci de Stelle (Star Goblets) is celebrated in many towns and the Teatro delle Rocce usually has a free music show.

Click here for more.

Easter and Christmas Festivals

"Pasqua" and "Natale" - Easter and Christmas - in Maremma have their own festivals and festivities, especially involving the children.

Find out about "La Befana". For many households this is considered more important than Christmas day for the children, and is the cause of further preparations, costumes, shows and town festivities.

Click here for more information.

Maremma, Italy Festivals by Month

Planning a vacation in Maremma and know which month you will be here? Then take a look at the festivals on offer by clicking on the links below:

January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December

Maremma, Italy Festivals by city, town, village or hamlet

Do you already know where you will be staying for your holiday? Then browse here the festivals on offer by each town and village in that locality.

Caldana
Follonica
Ghirlanda
Massa Marittima

Click here to view a map of Maremma cities, towns, villages and hamlets.