Events
An ancient Roman town, Tarquinia is one of the most interesting and beautiful centers in Tuscia.
Each year this charming town hosts various festivals and events celebrating their traditions and cuisine.
Here is a list of the main events held in Tarquinia, from January to December:
January:
-“Itinerario Presepistico”(Nativity Itinerary): a beautiful and traditional tour through the streets of the town to appreciate the numerous elegant nativities that have been set up.
-“Festa dell’Epifania”(Epiphany Festival): traditional festivities in honour of 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), with lovely gospel chorals and entertaining shows.
- “Festa di Sant’Antonio Abate”(St. Antonio Abate Festival): festivities in honour of the saint with an animal benediction and a cart parade celebrating the unique traditional customs of the area.
February:
-“Carnevale”(Carnival): traditional festivities in honour of carnival time, filled with colour and music.
-“Maratonina città Tarquinia”(Maratonina City Tarquinia): an annual sports event held in the delightful town of Tarquinia that never fails to draw a great deal of attention and visitors.
March:
-“Festa della Donna”(Festival of the Woman): a fantastic and innovative art exhibition of works made only by women.
March-April:
-“Processione del Cristo Morto”(Procession of the Dead Christ): held on Holy Friday.
-“Processione del Cristo Risorto”(Procession of the Risen Christ): held on Easter Sunday.
April:
-“Festa della Merca”(Market Festival): traditional cattle market accompanied by open air games and various entertainment, great for families and a fantastic example of the country culture of the area.
-“Giostra delle Contrade”(District Joust): traditional local festival celebrating the unique medieval customs and history of the area, transporting the town back to the Middle Ages.
-”Fiera”(Fair): with traditional and beautiful markets and stalls in the historic centre.
May:
-“Mostra Mercato Macchine Agricole”(Agricultural Machinery Display Market): an exhibition of agricultural machinery used in the Tarquinia Lido area. A great insight into the farming practice and customs of the town
-“Tarquinia in Festa”(Tarquinia in Festival): a beautiful local fair in the historic centre of the town.
June:
-“Medio Fondo del Corniolo”: mountain bike sports festival.
July:
-“Etruria Musical Festival”: traditional musical event on the streets of the town, celebrating the ancient music history.
-“Etruria Triathlon Cup”: an internationally renowned sports meet that draws hundreds of visitors and tourists from all over Europe.
-“Notturno”(Night): an ethnic musical event.
-“Manifestazioni estive” (Summer Events): entertainment, shows and a chance to experience the unique culture of Tarquinia.
-“Butteri Sotto le Stelle”(Butteri Under the Stars): a traditional event recreating the interesting ancient lifestyle of the legendary Butteri (Maremman cowboys).
August:
-“Manifestazioni estive”(Summer Events): another chance to experience the culture of Tarquinia with shows and music
-“Notturno”(Night): ethnic music festival
-“Teatro sotto le stelle”(Theatre Under the Stars): the main event of the high quality and brilliant theatre season in Tarquinia.
-“Regate di Vela”(Sail Boat Regattas): held in Tarquinia Lido.
-“Percorsi storici”(Historic Route): a lovely and informative guided tour of the most interesting sites in Tarquinia on a beautiful summers evening.
-“Giostra degli Sponsali e cena Medievale”(Joust of the Nuptials and medieval Dinner)
-“Festa di Ferragosto”(Ferragosto Festival): a celebration of the fascinating sea culture with a pyrotechnic show, held on the 15th
-“Festa dell’Ortolano”(Ortolan Festival): traditional festivities in honour of the Madonna dell’Olivo.
September:
-“Un Museo nella Città”(A Museum in the City): a guided tour to the most beautiful sites in Tarquinia to discover its medieval beauty, with concerts and various shows.
October:
-“Festa di San Francesco”(St. Francesco Festival): traditional celebrations in honour of the saint.
December:
-“Itinerario Presepistico”(Nativity Itinerary): a visit to the various elegant nativities in the city.
-“Concerto di Natale”(Christmas Concert)
-“Collettiva di Natale”(Christmas Collective): traditional art show
-“Festeggiamenti per il Natale” (Joust of the Districts): with musical shows, art and theatre.
Must see events:
“Giostra delle Contrade”(District Joust): One of the most beautiful and most interesting events held in Tarquinia, this festival takes place on the second Sunday of May and is a popular event of great importance to the town.
Absolutely charming, the joust is an evocative and realistic historic reenactment of the famous expulsion of people from the coast of Mori Lazio around the tenth century.
On the first day of the festival is a historical parade in medieval clothing, involving representatives of the seven districts of Tarquinia.
The procession follows special rules: ensuring that the Gonfalonier are always first, followed by the Nobility on horseback, the bridesmaids, the infantrymen, the drummers and finally the remaining citizens.
The festival continues with a delightful flag-waving and sword show and a traditional equestrian spectacle during which knights, five for each district town, compete in a skill contest to bring victory to their district. At the end of the evening there is a wonderfully unique Costume Dinner, a medieval banquet serving food and entertainment of the age.