August 15, Ferragosto (Assumption Day), is a national holiday and a time of vacation for many Italians. Although most shops are closed, you'll find festivals and celebrations, often including music, food, and fireworks.
August is a top month for festivals in Italy. August festivals include the second race for the palio of Siena, the Tuscan Sun Festival in Cortona, and La Quintana, a historic jousting event and medieval procession in Ascoli Piceno. Many small towns hold medieval festivals and palio competitions, too.
Chiuso per ferie, closed for vacation, is a sign you'll see often in August as many Italians go on vacation. Along the coast, however, everything is likely to be open and crowded with locals and tourists trying to escape the heat.
Hi martha! Thought I might add this piece on August in Rome specifically. It’s hot as an oven already, but here are some tips on keeping
cool in Rome
Caution – August 15 is one of the heaviest driving days in Italy, especially along the coast roads. If you’re driving in Italy, you’ll probably want to steer clear of the coast on the August 15 weekend.