June is one of the busiest months on the Italian cultural calendar. Between centuries-old religious festivals, open-air music festivals, historic races, and civic celebrations, the country offers a packed schedule for those living in Italy or planning to visit during the European summer.
Check out the main events of the month.
June 1st and 2nd — Sagra delle Ciliegie, Lari (Pisa)
The small village of Lari, in the Pisan hills, celebrates the local cherry — cultivated in the region for centuries in up to 14 native varieties, with IGP certification — with tastings, culinary demonstrations, live music and DJs. The festival is repeated on June 6th and 7th.
June 2 — Festa della Repubblica
National holiday commemorating the end of the monarchy and the birth of Italian Republic In 1946, in Rome, the date is marked by an official ceremony at the Altare della Patria, a military parade along the Via dei Fori Imperiali, and a flyover by the Frecce Tricolori. Public offices and schools close; shops may have reduced hours. Many Italians will take Monday off for a four-day weekend.
June 2nd — Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics, Pisa
Venice, Amalfi, Genoa, and Pisa compete in the traditional rowing regatta that revives the historical rivalry between the four medieval maritime republics of Italy.
June 7 — Final of the Women's Giro d'Italia, Saluzzo (Piedmont)
The women's edition of the prestigious Giro d'Italia concludes its nearly 1.200-kilometer race with a lap around the town of Saluzzo in Piedmont.
June 7 — Infiorate of Corpus Christi
Several Italian cities display elaborate floral carpets for the Corpus Christi festival. In Spello, south of Perugia, the tradition dates back to the early 17th century. Similar infiorate (flower carpets) take place in Diano Marina and Brugnato, in Liguria.
June 7th — Sunday of free museums
Dozens of state-run museums and archaeological sites are opening their doors for free as part of the Domenica al Museo program.
June 9th — Rock in Roma
The outdoor music festival in the Italian capital welcomes names like The Offspring and Mumford & Sons on dates spread between June 9 and July 16.
June 9th to 13th — Mille Miglia, Brescia–Rome–Brescia
Hundreds of vintage cars will travel a five-day circuit between Brescia and Rome, passing through Vicenza, Padua, Ferrara, Modena, Siena, Assisi, Rimini, Mantua and other historic cities.
June 12th — Verona Opera Festival
The Arena di Verona hosts the 103rd edition of its summer opera festival. The season begins with Verdi's "La Traviata" on June 12, followed by "Aida" from June 19 and "Nabucco" on June 26. Tickets range from €28 to over €300.
June 12-14 — Firenze Rocks, Florence
Florence's biggest open-air rock festival features names like Lenny Kravitz and The Cure. Day tickets are around €100; three-day passes are between €250 and €300.
June 13 and 14 — Rose Festival, Busalla (Genoa)
The enchanting Scrivia Valley hosts its annual rose festival, featuring handcrafted rose-based products, including the region's famous rose syrup.
June 13th to 15th — Infiorata di Genzano, Rome
Italy's oldest flower festival reaches its 248th edition. Around 400 flowers cover 2.000 square meters in homage to the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic.
June 16 and 17 — Luminara di San Ranieri, Pisa
In a tradition dating back to the 14th century, Pisa illuminates its historic buildings with over 70,000 wax candles and launches floating lanterns into the Arno River. The following day, the Palio di San Ranieri brings together rowers from the city's four districts in a race along the river.
June 20 — Giostra del Saracino, Arezzo
The famous medieval joust in Arezzo pits the city's neighborhoods against each other for the golden lance, with processions, parades in historical costumes, and the main joust in Piazza Grande starting at 21:30 pm. Tickets range from €10 to €100.
June 23 and 24 — Festa di San Giovanni, Turin and Florence
Turin celebrates its patron saint with a historic procession, a monumental bonfire in Piazza Castello, and a fireworks display over the Po River. In Florence, the festivities include a concert on the banks of the Arno and fireworks at 10 pm. The 24th also marks the final of the Calcio Storico—the historic football of the 16th century—in Piazza Santa Croce, starting around 5 pm. Tickets range from €30 to €80.
June 25th — I-Days Milano, Milan
The international summer festival opens with Maroon 5 at the Snai San Siro Hippodrome. Florence and the Machine, Foo Fighters, and David Guetta will perform in July and September.
June 25th — Lucca Summer Festival, Lucca
David Byrne and Ludovico Einaudi open the Tuscan festival on June 25th. In July, John Legend, Katy Perry, and Alabama Shakes take the stage. Tickets range from €35 to €100 per show.
June 26th — Festival dei Due Mondi, Spoleto
The 69th edition of the Spoleto festival in Umbria blends music, dance, opera, poetry, and theater until July 12th.
June 29th — Feast of Saints Peter and Paul, Rome
A municipal holiday in Rome to celebrate the city's two patron saints. The date includes religious ceremonies, the infiorata from St. Peter's Square to the Tiber River, and a fireworks display at the Pincio.
June 29th — Caracalla Opera Festival, Rome
Moved from the Baths of Caracalla to the Circus Maximus for restoration work, the festival opens with “Francesco: Un santo scomodo” and closes on July 31 with Carl Orff's “Carmina Burana”. The highlight of the season is Verdi's “Aida”. Tickets range from €10 to €170.
FOLLOW ITALIANISM
