Most Celebrated May Festivals in Italy

By: Nadine Sedillo

May is a good time in Italy to find spring festivals. Most hackneyed May festivals in Italy are flower festivals, wine and food festivals, events celebrating rituals of spring and medieval re-enactments. The following festivities in Italy are celebrated grandly. May festivals in Italy from 1st to 5th: Workers Day (May 1). May 1st is declared as a public holiday on account of worker's day all over Italy. To celebrate this day interesting festivals and parades can be seen. Big crowds can be seen in Italian tourist destinations. Sagra di SantEfisio (May 1). Sagra di SantEfisio is another festival celebrated on May 1st in Italy. It is one of the most ponderous festivities in Italy, celebrated in Sardinia. A colourful four day parade leads from Cagliari to church of Saint Efisio at Nora. Horseman and decorated oxcarts convoy the saint's statue in a procession followed by dance performances and food. Ring Race and Procession (End of April to May 12th). Ring Race and procession, one of the kinds of May Figure 1: Sagra di Sant'Efisio / Image courtesy of cristianocani / festivals in Italy is re-enactment of Flickr.com 14th century contest and procession continues in Narni in Umbria through May 12th (starts in April end). Calendimaggio (early May). Calendimaggio is celebrated in Assisi, Umbria in early May. This is one of the celebrated festivals in Italy with theatre shows, songs and choruses, concerts, dances, archery, processions, flag waving displays and crossbows. The various districts compete in a singing competition among the astounding floral decorations, torches, flags and candles. Risotto Festival (1st Sunday of May). The Risotto Festival is celebrated on the first Sunday of May in Sessame, with huge feast consisting of special rice that dates back to 13th century. Snake Handlers Procession (1st Thursday of May). The Snake Handler's Procession is celebrated on the first Thursday of May in Cocullo. The St. Dominic's statue is carried through the town covered with serpents.

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May Festivals in Italy from May 6th to 15th: Wedding of the Trees (May 8th). One of the most common May festivals in Italy is wedding of the trees celebrated on May 8th in the Lazio town of Vetralla. Horsemen offer bouquets of first spring flowers; a couple of oak tree is decorated with garlands. Fish Festival of Saint Fortunato (2nd Sunday of May). Fish festival of Saint Fortunato is celebrated on 2nd Sunday of May in Camogli. Night of Museums (Saturday in mid-May). Night of Museums is one of the celebrated festivals held on a Saturday in mid May. Museums are generally opened late in many Italian cities often with special events and free admission. Polenta Festival (2nd Sunday of May). Other May festivals in Italy are Polenta Festival celebrated on the second Sunday of May in main square of Piedmont town. La Barabbata (May 14th). La Barabbata is celebrated on May 14th on the shores of Lake Bolsena. Men wear costumes that represent the old trades in a procession and carry their tools. The white buffalo pull the floats that carry the fruits of the trades. Festa dei Ceri (May 15th). Festa dei Ceri is a costumed parade and candle race in Gubbio celebrated on May 15th.

Figure 2: Festa dei Ceri / Image courtesy of Simone & Pino Berettoni / Flickr.com

Other Festivities in Italy from May 16th-30th: Infiorata di Noto (3rd week of May). Infiorata di Noto is a huge may festivals in Italy celebrated with flower petals art displays and a procession in the 3rd week of May. Ritas Candle Festival (May 2122nd). Rita's Candle Festival and procession is celebrated on May 2122th in Cascia.
Figure 3: Infiorata di Noto / Image courtesy of Alex Lo Piccolo / Flickr.com

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Pinocchios Birthday (May 25th). Pinocchio's Birthday is celebrated on May 25th in the Tuscan town of the Pescia. Daffodil Festival (last Sunday of May). The Daffodil Festival is celebrated in the Abruzzo town with parade and folk dancing on the last Sunday of May. With all those list of festivals happening in Italy this May, who wouldnt want to have a vacation in Italy this spring? Plan your holiday now and spend time with your family or loved one this spring season in this beautiful place. Meet new people, explore new culture, have fun with your family and enjoy the festivities. Find the best hotel accommodation for your trip to Italy now! Visit www.goowai.com for a wide variety list of hotels and restaurants in the country.

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