Events

Numerous events and local festival are held in the charming town of Castell’Azzara throughout the year.

Always extremely exciting and enjoyable, these events definitely deserve to appreciated and visited.

Here is a list of the best festivals organized in Castell’Azzara, from January to December:

January:

- “Canti per la Befana” (Chorals for the Befana): with no literal English translation, the Befana is much like Santa Claus for the Italians and is depicted as an old lady who brings gifts on the day of the Epiphany. This traditional manifestation celebrates this figure with chorals and dances organized throughout the streets of Castell’Azzara.

- “Festa di Sant’Antonio” (Festival for St. Antonio): with a traditional blessing of animals in the town square.

February:

- “Carnevale” (Carnival): festivities to celebrate carnival with stalls and parades organized throughout the streets of the historic centre.

April:
- “Festeggiamenti per il Corpus Domini” (Festivities for the Corpus Domini): with wonderful flower arrangements scattered through the streets of this Tuscan town.

- “Il Risveglio dell’Orso” (The Wakening of the Bear): a traditional festival that recreates the customs of the past and the history of the town and the surrounding district.

May:

-“Giornata Europea Parchi e Riserve Naturali” (European Day of Parks and Natural Reserves): during which there are guided tours into the Natural Reserve of the area to discover the wonderful local flora and fauna.

July:

- “Spettacoli Teatrali” (Theatre Shows): an interesting cultural and artistic gala that is of great importance and pride to the citizens of Castell’Azzara.

August:

- “Festa della Trebbiatura di Montagna” (Festival of the Threshing of the Mountain): an event of great cultural relevance, representing a significant historic moment for the countryside by recreating an event that took place in the area many years ago.

- “Festa della Madonna delle Nevi” (Festival of the Madonna delle Nevi): a traditional religious event that celebrates the Madonna with markets offering the typical sweets of the mountain and a wonderful fireworks show.

October:

- “Festa della Madonna della Maestà” (Festival of the Madonna of the Maestà): with a distinctive and certainly impressive balloon launch.

- “Zucche in festa” (Pumpkin party): a traditional local manifestation that celebrates and remembers the ancient culture of the pumpkin in the mountains.

December:

- “Festa di Santa Barbara” (Festival of St. Barbara): patron saint of miners.

- “Festa di San Nicola” (Festival of St. Nicola): patron saint of the town.

-“Festeggiamenti per il Natale” (Festivities for Christmas): with a musical show and artistic events.

Must see events:

“Zucche in festa” (Pumpkin party): One of the most characteristic events held in the lovely city of Castell’Azzara, it is like any typical autumn festival and is held on the evenings of October 31 and November 1, 2 and 3.

Organized each year by the town’s pro-loco, it always draws a great deal of attention and interest for its uniqueness and charm.

The festival was founded to revive the ancient traditions of the mountain-related pumpkin custom, that has an unmistakable flavor and served as a major food source for the countryside during the winter.

During the festival there are markets and stalls offering pumpkin based dishes and products local to the area.

Visitors also have the opportunity to try the traditional and delicious autumn cuisine of Castell’Azzara, which is unlike any other.

The festival is capped off by performances by street artists, musical entertainment and art events that are always captivating entertaining, making the event even more enjoyable.

The highlight of the celebration however, is the traditional pumpkin show, promoting the local product and awarding the best pumpkin with a prize.