Summer Events 2014

June 2014

Pentecoste

This is a festival completely dedicated to wine. The wine growers of Castellina will present their products which include wines, olive oils, cheeses and cold meats. You can buy a glass and then proceed to taste the various wines.
On the 29th and 30th there are also small musical events and other small shows.
Location: Castellina in Chianti

Glass Radda

(First weekend in June)
Wine tasting along the street through the town of Radda in Chianti. The town offers its wine tourists and ethnographers an opportunity to discover its wines.
www.raddanelbicchiere.com
Location: Radda in Chianti

Sagra della Ranocchia (frog festival)

(First Sunday of June)
There are other things to eat here apart from frogs legs, so if you want to try frogs but are not too sure about it, you won't starve as you can always choose something else.
Location: Castelnuovo Scalo (Near Siena)

Sagra della pastaciuta (Pasta festival)

June
At this sagra there are many types of pasta with different sauces that you can try. A good idea would be to take a 'Tris' where you can choose 3 different types to try in one portion.
Location: Volte basse (South of Siena)

Pienza in musica

June
A choral concert held in the town of Pienza. It starts at 17.00 at the church of San Francesco. While in the town make sure to taste the sheeps cheese that the town is famous for.
Location: Pienza

Treno Natura

(Several weekends of June)
Enjoy an interesting train ride in a vintage train around Tuscany with stops in several Tuscan towns. This is an ideal way to view the spectacular landscape of Tuscany. Tickets must be booked in advance.
For more info see www.ferrovieturistiche.it
Location: Departing from Siena Station

Giostra cavalleresca

(First weekend of June)
A traditional joust in historical costume.
Location: Figline valdarno (Florence)

Fest della ciliegia

(First two weekends of June)
A cherry festival.
Location: Carmignano (near Prato)

Regata storica

(First Sunday of June)
A traditional boat race in historical costume.
Location: Calcinaia (near Pisa)

Antichi mestieri

(First Sunday of June)
Old trades.
Location: Marina di Grosseto

Fiera antiquariata

(First Sunday of June)
Antiques fair.
Location: Pietrasanta (near Lucca)

Sagra della pizza

(Second weekend of June)
A sagra of various types of pizza.
Location: Buti (near Pisa)

Fiera arti e antiquariato

(Second Sunday of June)
Antiques market and fair.
Location: Montepulciano

Mercatino dell'antiquariato

(Second Sunday of June)
Antique and used items fair and market.
Location: Altopascio (near Lucca)

Stella e Mercanti

(Third Sunday of June)
Evening market of handicrafts with music and animation
Location: Greve in Chianti

Fiera di Giugno

(Third Saturday of June)
Festival with gastrinomical products and local handicrafts.
Location: Castelnuovo Berardenga

Trofeo Isabella de' Medici

(Third Sunday of June)
A competition with the balestra.
Location: Cerreto Guidi (near Florence)

Palio della rana

(Fourth Sunday of June)
A traditional frog race which includes a parade in historical costume.
Location: Laterina (near Arezzo)

Rappresentazione del Bruscello

(Last weekend of June)
Il Bruscello, a traditional form of song and theater typical of the peasants and farm workers.
Location: Castelnuovo berardenga

Sagra degli strozzapreti

(From Thursday to Sunday of the last week of June)
Typical cuisine of the Maremma area of Tuscany accompanied by music, dance and exhibitions. There is also a small amusement park for children.
Location: Roccastrada (Grosseto)

Leaning Tower of Pisa night-time opening

14 June - 15 September
For the summer the leaning tower of Pisa will be opened also during the evening from 20.30 to 23.00.
Location: Pisa

La Giostra del Saracino (The Saracino Joust)

(Penultimate Saturday of June)
The four doors of Arezzo divide the city centre into 4 parts. Each zone has its own colours and competes against the others in this traditional event that has its origins in 1200.
The event lasts the whole day but the joust itself occurs at about 17.00. From 15.30 there is a parade of all the participants and their horses.
For tickets contact: giostradelsaracino@comune.arezzo.it
Location: Arezzo

Giostra dei Bastoni

(third weekend of June)
The remaking of an historical event. It takes place in the streets of San Gimignano where there will also be stands with various items of medieval times. During the event there will be a historical procession and a tornamento held on horseback.
There is an entrance fee.
For more information contact prolocsg@tin.it
Location: San Gimignano

Calcio Storico (historic soccer)

24 June
This is a brutal traditional game of Florence. The 4 teams play to win a 'Palio' and a white heifer. Each team represents a zone of the city. This is a no rules game and everything is allowed, there is a large feast in the winning part of the city after the game.
The game begins at 17.00 in Piazza Santa Croce.
Location: Florence

Calcio Storico (historic soccer)

26 June
This is a brutal traditional game of Florence. The 4 teams play to win a 'Palio' and a white heifer. Each team represents a zone of the city. This is a no rules game and everything is allowed, there is a large feast in the winning part of the city after the game.
This is the second game and begins at 17.00 in Piazza Santa Croce. Location: Florence

Corrida del Maiale (pig race)

(Last Sunday of June)
Pigs are raced in the village streets for a prize.
Location: Petroio, Trequanda

The Palio preparations

29 June 9.30 Heats to select the horses that will run on the 2 July.
13.00 Horses are allocated to the contradas
19.30 The first trial run.
for more information on the Palio click here
Location: Piazza del Campo - Siena

Palio preprarations

30 June
9.30 Second trial run
19.30 Third trial run
Location: Piazza del Campo - Siena