May Events in UMBRIA
May Day, the Festa dei Lavoratori (Day of the Worker)
Date:
May 1
Where:throughout Italy
This is a very popular holiday in Umbria, with its strong Communist roots. Young and old alike celebrate the cause of the common working man and woman, showing their support by wearing red scarves. There are plentiful parades and public speeches (usually fiery and Communist in nature) and the emblems and pins of the refounded Communist Party are everywhere.
Cantamaggio
Date:May 1
Where:Fabbro
This passage into spring is celebrated with events
and parades of young people in regional costume.
Cantamaggio
Date:May 1
Where:Gualdo Tadino
Spring festival and celebration of Saint Michele
Arcangelo's palio (includes archers, sling-shooters
and crossbowmen).
Antiques and Flea Market
Date:first weekend of the month
Where:Arezzo
An antiques and flea market is held in the main piazza
Lamb Competition
Date:second Sunday in May
Where:Narni
Lamb competition and historical re-enactment of a
medieval competition (which goes on through May).
Web Link: www.feditgiochistorici.it/enarni.html
Calendimaggio
Date:first Saturday and Sunday after the first of May
Where:Assisi
The Middle Ages come to life on picturesque stone streets as Assisi celebrates the rites of spring with the Calendimaggio festival. Houses are decked with flowers and bunting. Men, women and children in traditional costumes make merry, playing the music and games of many centuries ago. This weeklong celebration features various competitions and events between the city's quarters, rekindling good-natured rivalries, while the people compete for prizes and bragging rights.
Web Link: www.calendimaggio.com/calendimaggio.htm
Web Link: www.feditgiochistorici.it/eassisi.html
Antiques and Flea Market
Date:every second Sunday of the month
Where:Todi
An antiques and flea market is held in the Piazza del Popolo
Saint Crispolto's festival
Date:May 11th
Where:Bettona
Bettona celebrates the festival of their patron saint with a traditional parade, popular traditions and local dishes.
Antiques and Flea Market
Date:every second Sunday of the month
Where:Spoleto
An antiques and flea market is held in the Piazza del Mercato
Antiques and Flea Market
Date:second weekend of the month with an annual fair in the spring
Where:Assisi
An antiques and flea market is held in the main piazza
Saint Pancrazio's festival
Date:May 13th
Where:Castelgiorgio
Patron Saint Pancrazio's festival is celebrated with the traditional rancata del maggio (climbing of the greased pole) as well as local foods.
Palombella Festival and Palio
Date:Pentecost Sunday (the Sunday after a "week's worth of weeks" (7 x 7 = 49) from Easter Sunday)
Where:Orvieto
At midnight, in the famous Cathedral of 13th century, fire crackers explode and a flaming mechanical dove descends (via a cable) to lights little flames on the Virgin and Apostles' heads, commemorating the Holy Spirit's descent on the Apostles (and good or ill omen depending on the result). Orvieto's Palombella festival also features the Palombella Palio, horses and bareback riders at full gallop on the Orvieto Scalo.
Web Link: www.cittadiorvieto.com/index.html
Web Link: www.slowfood.com/
Corsa dei Ceri
Date:May 15
Where:Gubbio
The traditional Corsa dei Ceri is one of the most remarkable celebrations in Italy. The festival starts in the morning when 3 teams assemble the Ceri (candlesticks) for an elaborate and colorful costumed march through the town. The Ceri are three huge, beautifully decorated wooden constructions (reaching 20 feet and weighing up to 900 pounds) consisting of two octagonal prisms laid one on top of the other, topped with statues of Saint Ubaldo (patron saint of the town and masons), Saint Giorgio (patron saint of traders) and Saint Antonio (patron saint of peasants). Carried by men who train for the honor from childhood (ceraioli), these athletic teams race with the towering Ceri over a 2.5-mile course, through the town and up the steep Mount Ingino to the sanctuary of San Ubaldo. Traditionally costumed (yellow for Saint Ubaldo, light blue for Saint Giorgio and black for Saint Antonio) they are heartily cheered on by groups of neighbors, family and supporters that line the entire course. This celebration is one of the few truly authentic and unique celebrations that has remained true to its roots. It will give you goosebumps to watch and you'll find yourself being swept into the experience as if you were living in the middle ages. Don't even think of missing this event if you are anywhere near it!
Web Link: www.gubbio.com/ceri/index.html
Web Link: www.bellaumbria.net/Gubbio/festa_ceri_eng.htm
Saint Isidoro's Folk Festival
Date:May 15
Where:Allerona
Saint Isidoro's folk festival with traditional Pugnaloni Parade in 19th century costume.
Saint Pasquale's festival
Date:3rd Sunday
Where:Citta di Castello
Saint Pasquale's festival features folk and religious celebrations in Casella District.
Web Link: www.argoweb.it/tifernate/tifernate.uk.html
Palio of the Crossbow
Date:3rd Sunday of May
Where:Gubbio
Traditionally every year in May, in an age-old rivalry, the Crossbowmen of Sansepolcro go to the town of Gubbio to compete with their archrivals in honor of Saint Ubaldo. Then, on the second Sunday of September, the crossbowmen of Gubbio exchange the favor and head Sansepolcro to challenge them in honor of Saint Egidio (Patron Saint of Sansepolcro). The crossbowmen perform in medieval costumes. The costumes worn by Sansepolcro are based on the design originally painted by Piero della Francesca centuries ago. The distance of the target (called a corniolo) from the crossbowmen is over 100 feet.
Web Link: www.bellaumbria.net/Gubbio/palio_balestra_eng.htm
Web Link: www.feditgiochistorici.it/egubbio.html
Antiques and Flea Market
Date:third weekend of the month with an annual fair in the spring
Where:Gubbio
An antiques and flea market is held in the main piazza
Antique Furniture Market
Date:third weekend of the month, with an annual fair at the end of August
Where:Cortona
An antiques and furniture is held in the main piazza
Antiques Market
Date:third weekend of the month
Where:Citta di Castello
An antiques and flea market is held in the main piazza
Festa of Saint Rita
Date:May 22nd
Where:Cascia
Folk Parade and traditional celebrations in honor of Saint Rita.
Corsa dei Ceri (redux)
Date:3rd Sunday of May
Where:Gubbio
This is a repeat of the traditional Corsa dei Ceri (the first being more of a practice course) in which local men of exceptional physical strength race up an almost vertical incline to the Church of Saint Ubaldo at the top of Monte Ingino holding very heavy wooden structures called Ceri. It is a remarkable sight that is not soon forgotten. This is held the weekend of the Palio of the Crossbow.
Web Link: www.gubbio.com/ceri/index.html
Web Link: www.bellaumbria.net/Gubbio/festa_ceri_eng.htm
Processione di Corpus Christi
Date:Corpus Domini, which is which falls 60 days after Easter
Where:Orvieto
The story is that a wandering priest (Peter of Prague) was on a pilgrimage to Rome in 1263, burdened with doubts of the true Christ. He was asked to celebrate mass in the crypt of Santa Christina, Bolsena, and during that mass his doubts were abolished when a few drops of blood from a wound an a statue of Christ fell on the altar cloth. This miracle was eventually the basis of the beginning in 1290, of the construction of one of Italy's most beautiful Gothic cathedrals. The cathedral remains to this day a masterpiece of craftsmanship and stunning beauty. The blood stained altar cloth has a place of deep reverence in the Cathedral and leads the annual Corpus Christi procession through the narrow streets of Orvieto. The celebration and world-renown parade starts at the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo and terminates at the Cathedral. The magnificent period costumes are all hand made to authentic historical specifications by local seamstresses and the medieval streets jump to life with banners, drummers, flag throwers, orchestras, bands and stalls of food. An event not to be missed!
Web Link: www.italyfarmhousesrental.com/eventscorpus.htm
Open Cantinas
Date:last Sunday of May
Where:throughout Italy
The Opening of the Wine Cellars is an initiative started in 1993, which has seen steadily increasing participation every year. There are wine cantinas open in most parts of Italy on this day (from 10 AM to 6PM). The event attracts local residents, tourists and curious wine connoisseurs who can taste the various products of the local vineyards for free. The web link below (in Italian) lists the participating cantinas but most vineyards, participating officially or not, will open their doors to smiling visitors on this day.
Web Link: www.movimentoturismovino.it/cantine_aperte.php
Serenate di Calendimaggio
Date:May 30th
Where:Assisi
A competition in 14th century costumes among singers belonging to the north and south districts; they are accompanied on mandolins and guitars and sing love songs related to Saint Francesco's life before conversion.
