Visiting Italy in August? Or perhaps thinking about it? Then you’ve probably heard of Ferragosto, possibly the country’s most important holiday of the year. Taking place each year on August 15th, it represents the peak, or at the very least the beginning, of vacation time for many Italians. It also means that the beaches and mountains are crowded, prices are higher than usual, and the summer heat doesn’t help if you don’t find yourself at either a beach or a mountain.
Then, should you even bother traveling to Italy for Ferragosto?!
In my mind, a trip to Italy is always a good idea. On occasions such as Ferragosto, you only need to prepare well, and in good time. It also depends on what you’re after during your holiday. Which is why we tried to have a little something for everyone in this article!
Processions
For instance: there are many Italian cities, big and small, which on Ferragosto traditionally host Processions. These are usually followed by some spectacular fireworks. Great examples include Naples and Lago di Garda, pretty much anywhere on the lake. The downside? If it’s a touristy place, it will get crowded. If it’s a big city like Milan, it will probably be empty, on the other hand! Everyone will flock to the beach or the mountain, as you can guess, meaning that restaurants, museums and pretty much everything else will close for a couple weeks.
It’s a matter of preference though. If you would actually like to walk around Milan or Turin when no one else is there, then Ferragosto is your perfect opportunity! If you would love to experience making pasta on the beach surrounded by many, many happy Italians, here’s your chance! Just make sure you book your hotels and restaurants in advance, and expect some shocking numbers next to that € sign.
What we will list below are some of the more traditional, more unusual events you can attend during Ferragosto 2024 in Italy, a little bit off the beaten path. And you keep all of the things above in mind, you will surely have a good time!
Be sure to also check out our last year’s Ferragosto advice, as most of the festivities take place annually.
Ferragosto 2024 festivals in Italy
Il Palio delle Pupe at Cappelle sul Tavo
Although this event could use some feminism, Il Palio delle Pupe is an indispensable part of the Abruzzo culture and a regular summer event of the area. It is essentially a friendly battle of 14 neighboring towns.
Their “weapons”, you might ask? Men inside large, female papier-mâché puppet dolls. They perform a dance to folk music while fireworks simultaneously go off the puppets themselves! At the end of the battle, the winning puppet gets a prize, as well as those with the most beautiful pyrotechnics, best dance, and best aesthetics.
See a little preview of the Palio delle Pupe in Cappelle Sul Tavo for yourself below!
Il Concerto di Ferragosto 2024 in Frabosa Sottana
Every year, the Bartolomeo Bruni Symphonic Orchestra of Cuneo offers an outdoor concert on the occasion of Ferragosto. In 2024, you can find them in Frabosa Sottana, in the Piedmont region. The 44th annual show will take place at the small natural amphitheater in the Monregalese valleys on August 15th. You will also be able to watch it on the RAI national television!
Oh, and to get there, you can take the “La Rossa” panoramic cableway from Prato Nevoso, which will take you some 2,000 meters above sea level with some amazing views. No biggie.
Il Bruscello Poliziano in Montepulciano
Montepulciano becomes an open-air theater on August 15th, thanks to a theatrical event that has been taking place on its Piazza Grande since 1939. “Il Bruscello Poliziano” is a play that welcomes actors, musicians and all citizens of Montepulciano. Changing every year, the plot is however always based on the most heartfelt themes of the city, love stories, scenes of daily life, real events but also popular tradition.
Even if you don’t speak the language, this event definitely seems worth the trip to one of Italy’s most quaint towns in Tuscany!
Lo Sbarco dei Saraceni in Positano
Do I even need to convince you to go to the Amalfi Coast? In truth, this turn out to be one of the more crowded places during Ferragosto 2024. But I promise it would be worth your while if you do end up there!
But before your trip, get familiar with the story of “lo sbarco dei Saraceni”, or the Landing of the Saracens, a famous battle that took place off the coast in 1558.
According to legend, on the night of August 14th a band of Saracen pirates landed on the Spiaggia Grande of Positano. After raiding the town, the pirates stole the sacred image of the painting of the Black Madonna, a Byzantine icon from the 12th century. They were almost out to sea when a furious storm arose. Among the howling of the wind and the roars of the stormy sea, the voice of the Virgin was heard asking to be left on the ground: “Posa, Posa!”. From here, the name Positano was born. The sailors obeyed and, having converted to the Christian faith, managed to direct the sailing ship towards the inlet where the Madonna was disembarked. In the place where the sacred image was found, a church was built in honor of the Virgin and the town arose around it.
While the big re-enactment of the event is no longer taking place, a few locals still do it on a smaller scale, to keep the tradition alive. The fireworks shot up from the numerous boats during Ferragosto is still a great sight to see in any case.
Il Padellone in Civitavecchia
Live music, street dancing, fireworks, and an insane amount of freshly obtained and made seafood. What’s not to like? We’re talking about Il Padellone, an event taking place along viale Garibaldi in Civitavecchia during Ferragosto. Scheduled for 5-18 August this year, the event is bound to attract many, and not just the tourists visiting the town to embark on one of the big cruise ships on the regular. If you’re a fan of all sorts of fish in a street food festival style, Il Padellone is for you! Otherwise, Lazio has many other things to offer, including, well… Rome!
