Ferragosto - August 15 Holiday in Italy

August 15, Ferragosto or Assumption Day, is a holiday in Italy. Italians tend to leave town on Ferragosto, often going to the beach, so there's likely to be lots of traffic along the coasts. Most shops and businesses will be closed but there are some good festivals that often include a parade, food, music, or fireworks.

Here are a few Ferragosto Festivals:

• Rome: Gran Ballo di Ferragosto presents live dance performances in Rome's square.
• Diano Marina in Liguria: Festival of the sea has a good fireworks display.
• Montepulciano in Tuscany: Historical pageant and games.
• Cappelle sul Tavo near Pescara: Palio of the Pupe, huge effigies are paraded through the streets at night and eventually explode with fireworks.

Festivals on August 16:

• Siena in Tuscany: runs their second Palio in the central square.
• Sassari in Sardinia: Festa dei Candelieri, dating back to the 16th century, is an exciting race with teams of men bearing huge and very heavy candles.

Find out more about Ferragosto in Buon Ferragosto on our Italian Cuisine site and find out more about festivals in our August Festivals in Italy and Italian Festivals by month.