Summer Festivals and Music in Italy

Summer is a big time for festivals in Italy. The famous palio competition in Siena, a horse race around the central piazza, is run July 2. My first Italian festival experience was in Sardinia at L'Ardia di San Costantino, another spectacular July horse race, and I've been a follower of Italian festivals since.

Festivals can be an inexpensive or free source of entertainment. Even small festivals often include inexpensive local food, flag throwers or bands, and parades with participants in medieval costume and many festivals end with grand fireworks displays. The most amazing fireworks display I've ever witnessed was the one following the Festa della Madonna Bruna. The festival takes place every July 2 in the fascinating town of Matera, in southern Italy's Basilicata region, where you can stay in a cave hotel.

• July Festivals in Italy
• August Festivals in Italy
• Palio Definition
• Medieval Costume Pictures on Europe Travel

Summer is also a great time for music in Italy. The region of Umbria holds two world famous festivals - Festival Dei Due Mondi starting June 27 in Spoleto and the Perugia Jazz Festival, later in July. But if you want to save money, head to a local concert in a church, castle, or piazza.

• July Performing Arts Festivals
• Piazza Definition
• Umbria Travel Map on Europe Travel

_{Picture of Disfida degli Arceri di Terra e di Corte in Fivizzano © James Martin, Europe for Visitors, licensed to about.com}