Calendar of events and Festivals in Abruzzo
JANUARY
Feast of St Anthony: This annual festival concludes with bonfires and fireworks on 16th January in the village
of Fara Filorum Petri, and celibrates the legend of how St Anthony turned an oak wood into defending troops and saved the village
from the invading French army in 1799. Chieti province.
MARCH/APRIL
Easter is celibrated in many of the towns and villages
of the Abruzzo region, here are a few of them
Procession of the Dead Christ: This takes place on Good Friday and starts
at the cathedral of San Giustino in the town of Chieti. As befitting this is a solemn event with musicians and lanterns winding
their way through the streets of Chieti. Chieti province.
I Talami : A procession and performance of biblical scenes that
takes place in the village of Orsogna over the Easter period. Chieti province.
The Running Madonna: Sulmona religious festival celebrating
the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ, concluding in a statue of the Madonna ‘running’ to meet the newly risen Christ on Easter
Sunday. L'Aquila province.
MAY
Snake festival: Taking place in Cocullo this festival takes place every year on the first Thursday
in May. The highlight of the festival is when a statue of the town’s patron saint, San Dominico, is paraded through the village draped
with snakes. L'Aquila province.
Daffodil Festival: This pagan inspired spring festival that takes place in Rocca di Mezzo on the last
Sunday in May. L'Aquila province.
Festival of the Madonna della Libera: This festival takes place in Pratola Peligna in early
May, and includes 10 days of celebration, entertainment, music and food! Concluding with a spectacular firework display on the last
Saturday of the festival. L'Aquila province.
JUNE
Cherry Festival: This one-day festival takes place in Raiano in June. L'Aquila
province.
JULY
Festa of Santa Margherita, Villa Magna: Taking place on 13th July, this annual festival celebrates the miracle of Santa
Margherita, when the Saint in the form of a young girl saved the village from the attacking Saracens. Chieti province.
Jousting Tournament
(Giostra Cavalleresca): This festival takes place at the end of July in the town of Sulmona, when the massive Piazza Garibaldi is
given over to an arena where horsemen compete in a game of skill and balance. The festival includes parades in period costume and
armour and great displays of flag throwing. Link:
www.arc.it/giostra. L'Aquila province.
AUGUST
International Jazz Festival:
This massive, annual event takes place in Pescara every August and plays host to biggest names in the jazz world. Link:
www.pescarajazz.com
Trout
& Shrimp Festival: An Abruzzo celebration of this food takes place in Popoli in August. Pescara province.
SEPTEMBER
Mastogiurato
re-enactment: There is a great deal of activity in Lanciano from mid August through into September, the highlight is the Mastogiurato
re-enactment, which we are reliably informed will take place on Sunday 7th September 2008 at 5pm.
Italy is rightly famous for it's wonderful specticles and festivals - and Abruzzo is no exeption boasting literally dozens of events
throughout the year. Here is just a selection, please check dates/timings with the local
tourist board before your visit, and
if you know of an event in Abruzzo, let us know at
info@abruzzoinitaly.co.uk and we'll add it to the Calendar.
