May

• Crossbow Tournament – Gubbio
  (28th May)
  This target shooting contest using medieval fixed crossbows is referred to in a document as early as 1410. Taking part are the Crossbow Societies of Gubbio and   San Sepolcro, two cities that for centuries have engaged in this sport. The bowmen wear ancient historical costumes and flag-wavers engage in feats of great skill. The winner is awarded the palio (banner). At the end of the contest a historical procession winds through the torch-lit streets.
• Paolo D'Aloja Memorial International Rowing Regatta
  (19th – 21st May)
  The Paolo D'Aloja Memorial International Rowing Regatta is held every year in the splendid, natural setting of Lake Piediluco, dominated by the ruins of the medieval  fortress and its walls, signalling the classic opening of the international rowing season. The regatta features top level competition, with the participation of many world and Olympic champions and over 30 representatives from all over the world. Lots of small side events spectators too.
• Festival of the Cricket – Florence
  (end of May)
  Festa del Grillo (the Cricket Festival) is held on the Day of Ascension in Florence's Parco delle Cascine. This busy market is a celebration of the cricket (not the game), thousands of them are sold every year and you can acquire your very own "lucky singing cricket in a cage" which is supposed to bring good luck. The market also has  dozens of stalls selling food and sweets of various kinds. There are musical shows and entertainment throughout the day.
• Cantamaggio – Terni
  (15th April – 20th May)
  A popular festival, dating back to the end of the nineteenth century, which celebrates the return of spring and the re-awakening of nature. Groups are formed in each district of the town and each prepare floats for a procession   through the crowded streets. The event is also held in conjunction with cultural associations and theatre groups who organise performances, exhibitions and various shows.

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June / July

• Corpus Christi Festival - Orvieto
  (25th June)
  A historical procession in which 400 costumed participants take part. The variety and richness of the costumes evokes the era in which Orvieto was a magnificent papal residence. On the eve of the festival there is a parade with ladies in 13th-century costumes and medieval music, songs and dances.
• Water Festival - Terni
  (end of June)
  This event harks back to an extremely ancient tradition. Since very remote times Piediluco has always celebrated the summer solstice with rites, purification ceremonies, the lighting of fires and a water-parade of allegorical craft. As time passed the festival retained its original features while gradually expanding to include other events. Today it offers an illuminated procession of decorated boats by night, firework displays, theatrical performances and concerts of classical music.
• Festival of the two worlds - Spoleto
  (29th June - 15th July)
  Each year the Spoleto Festival is becoming an internationally renowned centre for performances of dance, prose and lyrics. Established by Maestro Gian Carlo whose aim was to bring together artists from among the most talented professionals in the arts but also promising young and up coming talents. The Festival includes famous names such as Wally Toscanini, Franco Zeffirelli, Patroni Griffi, Mario Soldati, Dino Buzzati, Indro Montanelli, Pablo Neruda, Pier Paolo Pasolini, Salvatore Quasimodo, Ezra Pound, Eugenj Evtuschenko, Luca Ronconi, Al Pacino and Mariangela Melato. Visit www.spoletofestival.it for dates and listings.
• Jousting of the Saracens - Arezzo
  (June - various dates)
  The Giostra del Saracino sees contestants from the respective quartiers of Arezzo assembling in the historic Piazza San Francesco for the annual jousting tournament, to compete for the coveted prize of the Golden Lance. The streets of this beautiful town are filled with gallant knights on battle horses, flag-bearers, trumpeters and people in medieval costume.


• Umbria Jazz Festival - Perugia
  (6th - 15th July)
  Launched in 1973, today it is one of the most important jazz events in Europe. It has in its time hosted the greatest modern jazz musicians. The event lasts ten full days: a hundred or so concerts take place from morning to night within the historic centre of Perugia. The events draws thousands of people from all over Europe and the United States, who come to meet the most famous contemporary jazz artists. Besides the concerts, the festival also includes seminars. Visit the website www.umbriajazz.com.
• Umbria Jazz - Castiglione del Lago
  (19th - 29th July)
  Music from some of the most prestigious jazz musicians in the world. Festival based is more locally based in Castiglione del Lago but also events in Passignano, Tuoro, Piegaro and Città della Pieve. Visit the web site www.trasimenoblues.net for listings.


• Palio del Barche - Passignano sul Trasimeno
  (24th - 30th July)
  This is the commemoration of the last act of civil war in Perugia, when a small army of the Oddi family had to flee, boats on their shoulders, from the castle in Passignano, chased by the militias of the Baglioni and Della Corgna families. The "Palio" of the boats involves approximately 160 contestants (40 from each district) in a gruelling race in three separate stages: the first stage rowing from the lake to the shore; the second on foot, carrying the boat on their shoulders through the steep tiny streets and stairs of the historic centre; and finally, the third stage with the boat in the water for a last furious effort by the rowers. The highly spectacular Palio is the only one of its kind in the world, and draws enormous crowds each year.
• Palio of Siena - Piazza del Campo, Siena
  (2nd July and 16th August)
  Activity in square begins mid-morning, the race is in the afternoon. For the Siennese, the Palio horse-race around the Piazza del Campo is a matter of life and death. Daring, bravado, lunacy, bribery, poisoning and death-threats have all played their parts in the event since its inauguration in 1310. The race consists of bareback riders making three circuits of the main square and is over in 90 seconds, but it is preceded by five hours of flag-throwing acrobatics. For the locals, it is the exciting culmination of an entire year's planning.

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August

• Palio of the Terzieri Pageant - Citta della Pieve
  (22nd August)
  An old medieval festival involving over 800 costumed participants parading through the streets. Inspired by the work of Il Perugino (Pietro Vannucci) who was born in Citta della Pieve. Members of the three boroughs of the town - Borgo Dentro, Casalino and Castello lead the procession which is made up of acrobats, jugglers, fire-eaters, cannons (soft cannon balls I must add), catapults and ox drawn carts. An archery contest takes place and the winning district is awarded the "Palio."
• Montefalco Festival - Montefalco
  (5th - 20th August)
  Every year for the past thirty years small ensembles of strings and wind instruments have filled the streets and squares of the historic centre with melodies. There are lots of events and shows for adults and children, including the choreographic "Flight of the Ox".


• Battle of Trasimeno ­ Tuoro
  (End of July - August)
  ŒMission Hannibal is a theatrical reconstruction of the great battle where spectators are invited to be involved as the facts are narrated and played out.
• AMELIA Historical commemoration of Amelia - Amelia
  (1st - 15th August)
  The historic commemoration of the Amelia Charters, created in 1346, recreates medieval life in the historic centre. The Palio of the Doves traces back to rules set down by the Charters, by which shooting at pigeons, one of the most popular games at the time, was strictly forbidden. The Palio is a contest between the crossbowmen and the knights of the five quarters of the town. The object is to free a group of doves enclosed in a dovecote by shooting with a crossbow at a mechanism that opens the cage, without causing harm to the birds. A sumptuous procession in 14th-century costumes closes the festivities.