Events in Umbria
April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December
April
Calendimaggio, Assisi - April/May
More information coming soon www.calendimaggiodiassisi.it
May
Festa dei Ceri, Gubbio - Mid May
The Festa dei Ceri literally translates as the Festival of the Candles and is one of the oldest folklore festivals in Italy, starting in 1160. It involves three teams of men (ceraioli who represent the three Saints Ubaldo, George and Anthony) carrying 7m tall wooden structures, weighing 400kg and known as Ceri on their shoulders. The men make their way at speed over 4km through the streets of Gubbio up to the top of Mount Ingino, being careful not to drop the massive structures or slip and fall - something which has been known to happen often. The festival is one of the most famous in the world and thousands of people come every year from all over the world to watch this exciting and ancient race. www.ceri.it
Palio della Balestra, Gubbio - Late May
The Palio della Balestra is a crossbow shooting competition which takes place on the last Sunday in May in Gubbio. A sister competition happens in Sansepolcro in Tuscany. Another example of Umbria's strong medieval traditions, the tournament was first chronicled in 1461 and was a way of ensuring there were adequately trained young men should they be needed for battle. The winners of the tournament receive gold, silver and bronze crossbows respectively. www.balestrierigubbio.it
June
Infiorata, Spello - Mid June
In June each year, the streets of Spello are filled with colour as artists use "petals" to create beautiful pictures on the ground. The tradition started as an offering of petals to the procession of Corpus Domini, the sculptures now have a modern twist and no longer made with real flower petals, but with small brightly coloured pieces of an unknown material. The images created are quite spectacular in their colour and movement and portray many various images from religious scenes to wildlife. www.infioratespello.it
Mercato delle Gaite, Bevagna - Late June
For one week at the end of June, Bevagna goes back in time to re-create medieval markets and enjoy foods and entertainment of the time. There are crossbow competitions, many medieval arts and crafts stalls, Gregorian chant and numerous opportunities to sample traditional medieval food and drink. www.ilmercatodellegaite.it
Festival dei Due Mondi, Spoleto - Late June - Mid July 2009
The Festival of Two Worlds is one of the biggest and most important cultural events in Italy. Founded in 1958 by composer Gian Carlo Menotti, the festival includes drama, opera, dance and even open discussions on science! The name of the festival comes from Menotti's desire to see the festival as a bringing together of European and American culture. Spoleto is the perfect place for such a festival with two indoor theatres, a Roman theatre and many other indoor and outdoor spaces. www.festivaldispoleto.com
July
Umbria Film Festival, Montone - Early July
The Umbria Film Festival lasts for three days at the beginning of July and celebrates all things to do with the big screen. With outdoor cinemas, round tables, seminars, exhibitions, courses in screenplay writing and activities for children, there is something for every film buff. The festival takes place in the beautiful town of Montone in the north of Umbria. www.umbriafilmfestival.com
Umbria Jazz, Perugia - Mid July
The Umbria Jazz Festival was inaugurated in 1973 and since then has seen some of the biggest names in jazz visiting the area's capital. Previous artists include Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and Herbie Hancock. 2009 saw giants of jazz Steely Dan alongside Simply Red, James Taylor, Donna Summer and Umbria Jazz regulars like Paolo Conte. www.umbriajazz.com
August
Palio di San Rufino, Assisi - Late August
Similar to the Palio della Balestra which takes place in Gubbio earlier in the year, the Palio di San Rufino is based on the medieval art of crossbow shooting. There are also arts and crafts fairs and medieval theatre entertainment. The festival is traditionally held on the last weekend of August. www.paliodisanrufino.it
Festival of the Nations, Città di Castello – Late August - Early September
One of the most prestigious music festivals in Europe, the Festival of the Nations first took place in 1968 and each year, one European country presents music from its own history in the setting of Città di Castello, which is on the flood plain of the Tiber river, and its surrounding towns. www.festivalnazioni.com
September
Umbrian Festival of Sacred Music, throughout Umbria – Mid September
This musical festival is another of Europe’s most illustrious and includes many different genres of music performed by both Italian and international artists. It takes place at various locations across Umbria. www.perugiamusicaclassica.com
October
Eurochocolate, Perugia - Mid October
The Eurochocolate festival in Perugia has everything the chocoholic could desire – tastings, cooking classes and exhibitions. Exhibitors from all across Europe come together for the festival and you can also try Perugia’s very own Perugina chocolate, which is most famous in the form of a Bacio (“kiss”, see image), which is praline with a nut on top covered in chocolate. www.eurochocolate.com
November
Truffle and Woodland Fair, Città di Castello - Early November
2009 sees the 30th anniversary of the Truffle and Woodland Fair in the Renaissance town of Città di Castello in the north of Umbria. The town is filled with the heady scent of the elusive fungus and visitors can taste many typical products of the area including salami, cheeses, honey and, of course, the truffles. www.iltartufobianco.it
Frantoi Aperti, throughout Umbria - Early November
Taking place on the first weekend in November, the Frantoi Aperti (literally “open crushers”) is an exhibition in which the olive oil mills in Umbria open their doors to show the public how this essential Italian ingredient is made. The festival includes tours of the mills, talks on the art of making olive oil and tastings. www.frantoiaperti.net
December
Umbria Jazz Winter, Orvieto - Late December - Early January
A smaller version of its summer sister, Umbria Jazz Winter is based in Orvieto in the south of Umbria, a town famed for its wine. So if you couldn't make the festival earlier in the year, you get a second chance - although wrap up warm as Umbria gets very cold in the winter! www.umbriajazz.com