Italy has many festivals and celebrations all year round. Here's our list of the top six festivals that you sh

1. Six Italian
Festivals You
Wouldn’t Want
to Miss

2. Italy loves celebrations. No matter what time of the year
you are visiting Italy, you are sure to find a feste or sagre.

3. Despite the numerous festivals in different cities and towns,
these are six Italian festivals you wouldn’t want to miss.

4. Befana in Piazza Navona

5. From the beginning of December until the evening of
January 6, the fountain-filled Piazza Navona in Rome is
transformed into a festive Christmas wonderland.

6. There are carnival games and a colorful carousel. Market
stalls sell nativity figurines, gifts and plenty of sweet treats.

7. Feast of Saint Anthony

8. January 17 marks the Feast of
Saint Anthony the Abbot and is
traditionally celebrated with a
papal blessing of the animals.

9. Saint Peter’s Square fills with sheep, horses, pigs, even an
elegant white peacock! In smaller towns, people bring their
beribboned pets for the annual blessing by the parish
priest.
photo credit: http://www.sunjournal.com/city/story/1096986

10. Carnevale in Venice

11. You will find the streets and piazzas filled with numerous
masked revelers during this festive event.

12. There are daily parades in Saint Mark’s Square and
evening musical performances. The celebrations end with
a midnight silent water parade along the Grand Canal.

13. Umbria Jazz

14. Twice a year, the towns and cities across the Umbrian
countryside host an internationally acclaimed Jazz Festival.

15. The Winter festival in the town of Orvieto runs from
December 28 to January 1 while the Summer festival, with
main events in Perugia, runs from July 11 to 20.

16. You can hear funk, New Orleans-style and classic jazz on
stages set up in the main piazzas, in theaters and in small
clubs and restaurants.

17. Natale di Roma

18. The founding of the Eternal City is celebrated on April 21.

19. The day is filled with historical re-enactments in the Circo
Massimo and a parade in front of the Colosseum complete
with centurions, gladiators and Roman maidens.

20. In the evening, there is usually a light show and music and
sometimes fireworks along the via Fori Imperiali.

21. Ferragosto

22. With ancient roots dating
back to the emperor
Augustus and religious
significance celebrating the
Assumption of the Virgin
Mary, August 15 is one of
the most important Italian
holidays.

23. Ferragosto is mostly celebrated at the beach with friends
and family.

24. There are crowds and festivities in resort areas and the day
will end with a fireworks show.

25. For more information
about travel to Italy,
visit our website
www.touritalynow.com
or call our travel experts
at 800.955.4418.