The Best Cultural Festivals in Italy

If you're planning a trip to Italy and want to soak up some true Italian tradition, make sure you check out my top 3 Italian festivals before you go. Each offers a small insight into the history of Italy in completely different ways. Read on to find out more.

Umbria Jazz Festival

For ten days in July, from morning until late at night, there will be musical throughout most of old Perugia, as the Umbria Jazz festival takes over the city. The pastry shops make cakes in the shape of musical instruments, the museums exhibit iconic jazz paintings and photography. Everywhere you turn you sample jazz. During the day cafes, bars and shops can be heard playing their choice of jazz, soul, R&B, blues, gospel, pop and salsa. There are also free daily open air concerts for the younger audience. Santa Giuliana Arena is the place where the most famous names appear, artists such as Stan Getz, Miles Davis and BB King have all performed here in the past. Perugia's town squares, gardens, theatres, together with its restaurants and clubs all make a spectacular historic setting in which you can enjoy the Umbrian atmosphere to a soundtrack of Jazz.

Luminara of Saint Ranieri

Every year at about 9.30 on June the 16th, the Arno River and all the buildings that surround it become illuminated with the flames of over 70,000 small candles. The river is sprinkled with even more floating candles and the whole area is transformed into a magical delight. The reason for this event is to celebrate the patron saint of Pisa, Saint Ranieri. The tradition has been celebrated each year since Saint Ramieri's death in 1688. Be sure to stick around in the evening because the town centre is enlivened by numerous parties, music and fun. All this plus a fantastic fireworks display at midnight - what more could you ask for!

Battle of the Oranges

The medieval town of Ivrea, near Turin in Piedmont, comes alive in February. Its historic carnival commemorates the rebellion of the people against the tyrant, Raineri di Biandrate, who ruled the town in the middle ages with his cruel regime. Imagine about 10,000 people dressed with colourful costumes, with a large blouse with a deep V opening in front: that's where their oranges are kept. The trick is to keep a regular amount of oranges being thrown and to protect yourself from incoming oranges with your non-throwing arm. Make sure you keep your energy up throughout the day with free helpings of fagioli grassi - a mix of beans, sausages and pork rinds.