Day and night: whatever your preferences are, you always have something interesting to see or do. In Tuscany every day and every night are plenty of things to do, no way to get bored!

Most of the events take place in summertime, although a lot of them cover the rest of the year. This is why many tourists come to Tuscany throughout the whole year, there is always something to see or do. Food festivals are very appreciated because they express the taste of the genuine food and authentic local life, giving to the visitor the real taste of this colourful region. Music festivals, theatre show, representations are the scenery of interesting events, such as the well known Palio of Siena, or the Calcio Fiorentino in Costume.

Calcio Storico Fiorentino

Santa Croce is one of the most beautiful districts of central Florence. In the  homonymous square, where the beautiful Santa Croce Church stands, every 24th June (in occasion of the celebration of the city’s patron saint) you can see a funny parade in historical costumes (the parade starts from Santa Maria Novella Square). In this square the Calcio Storico is played by football players dressed in 16th century costumes.

Giostra del Saracino

The Saracen tournament takes place in Arezzo’s most famous and principal square: Piazza Grande. The tournament is held twice a year (June and September) and dates back to the 16th century; it represented (in its origin) the Christian effort to hold back the Islam tide in 14th century.

Palio of Siena

The Palio is a horse race representing the old quarters of the town linked to the old jobs in past times. It is held twice a year (2nd July and 16th August), and it draws tourists from every Nation. The “contrada” who wins the Palio receives the “palio” (a banner) and starts the party till next Palio is run.

Maggio Musicale Fiorentino

From late April through June Florence hosts the Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, a traditional festival that counts classical music concerts, operas and ballets.

Bravio delle Botti

During the last Sunday in August Montepulciano attracts people from every corner to see the Bravio delle Botti, a barrel rolling race between the divisions of the village. Each division has to roll up the barrel along the main street of Montepulciano.

Palio della Balestra

In May Sansepolcro hosts the Palio dellla Balestra, a crossbow contest between Sansepolcro and Gubbio. In September Gubbio rematches Sansepolcro.

Versiliana Festival

The park La Versiliana is situated between Marina di Pietrasanta and Forte dei Marmi, along the Versilia riviera. Culture is not only theatre, it is also the place where you can enjoy artistic meetings and cultural afternoons, all in a magic frame, the places where the famous poet Gabriele d’Annunzio used to entertain with his “colleagues”. The Versiliana Festival is also known for its space dedicated to children, with active works, paintings, readings and competitions.

Viareggio Carnaval

Probably one of the most famous carnavals in the world, and of course the most famous in Italy, together with Venice.

Vendemmia (grapes harvest)

Harvesting the grapes in Tuscany is a wonderful experience. Once the harvest is ended, many villages have a communal feast to celebrate the new wine “novello”.

Chestnuts
Together with the new wine production, it is a popular habit to eat chestnuts, and you will often see people in the woods to collect them.

Mushrooms
People also goes into the woods not only for chestnuts, but also for mushrooms, and especially for the famous and delicious porcini, used in the Tuscan cooking with many recipes.

Olive harvest
In November and december you can participate to the olive harvest (done by hand for the majority). Once all the olives have been collected, they are taken to the nearest mill to have the new oil. The new oil (it is a local tradition) is fantastic on a roasted slice of bread with salt and garlic.

Truffles
November is a “rich” month from the nature and food point of view: in addition to the local mushrooms, you can also taste the local truffles. The most famous festival is in San Giovanni d’Asso, not far from Siena, here you can taste fantastic dishes with this delicious ingredient.

If you are a night lover, you can enjoy nice evenings and nights in the most beautiful places of Tuscany, such as the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, or the Medici Fortress in Siena. You can just ask the local tourist office to get the right information on where to go. You will discover special places that will make your holiday unique!

Pistoia Blues

During the first half of July Pistoia hosts this international festival with artists from all over the world. The Pistoia Blues Festival is a huge performance and you can see the biggest blues artists (in the main square).

Italia Wave

This festival was initially born to promote the new artists, nowadays it is a prestigious stage for the most famous Italian and international singers to perform. Originally set in Arezzo downtown, now the festival takes place elsewhere outside the town, in some other Tuscan destination.

La Città Aromatica
August offers a calendar of events in the most beautiful corners of this little town. Shows, concerts and open-air theatre in the oldest places of Siena.

Siena Jazz
Siena boasts this important show which takes place in the beautiful frame of the old Fortress.

Puccini Festival
July and August are the scenery of the open air Puccini Festival in Torre del Lago near Viareggio.