The hospitality of the Italians is only surpassed by their sociability. Accordingly, no opportunity is missed around the year to celebrate, experience and enjoy together. Our calendar of events is intended to give you an overview of the annual village festivals, concerts and markets in and around Panzano - you are cordially invited to join in the celebrations:
Weekly market in Panzano
Every Sunday morning there is a market in the main square of Panzano and in the adjoining alleys until about 13:00. There is a colorful smorgasbord of fresh fruits, vegetables, roasts, excellent cheeses, flowers, accessories, shoes and much more. By the way, on market day the adjacent stores are also open until 13.00.
Weekly market in Greve
Every Saturday morning there is a market in Greve's main square, Piazza Matteotti. Here, too, you can get fresh farm produce straight from the field. Cheese specialties, clothes, accessories, shoes and flowers are available. It ends at about 13.00.
Carnival in Viareggio
During the Carnival season and especially on Shrove Tuesday, the Carnival in Viareggio is celebrated in a colorful and imaginative way, including great parades all over the city.
Fritelle Festival - Montefioralle
The weekend after St. Joseph's Day, in 2007 on March 17 and 18, the medieval village of Montefioralle (birthplace of Vespucci) above Greve hosts the Fritelle Festival - walk up to the castle and enjoy fresh rice cakes !
Antiques and collectors market in Greve
Twice a year Greve hosts a huge antiques and collectibles market: on Easter Monday and the second Sunday in October. We recommend you get there early to haggle for the best pieces - early in Italy means 9:00 am.
Antiques and collectibles market in Arezzo
Every first weekend of the month, the entire historic center of Arezzo hosts the famous antiques market, which attracts buyers and sellers from all over Europe. If you want to grab some really nice things, you should get out early here too....
Festa della Stagion Buona in Panzano
April 25 (national holiday in Italy) - Festa della Stagion Bona, the beginning of the "good season", is celebrated with a parade in historical costumes from the Renaissance, a medieval market, fire-eaters and gastronomic stands.
Flower festival in Greve
On the first weekend of May, the Flower Festival takes place in the square of Greve, transforming Piazza Matteotti into a single sea of flowers.
Mille Miglia - Italy
The Mille Miglia is a spectacular road race in Italy specifically for sports cars built between 1927 and 1957. The circuit is 1000 miles long - which is why the race is called the "Mille Miglia" - and passes through several provinces of Italy. The race takes place every year in mid-May and regularly passes also through Chianti. In 2007, racers passed through Siena, Poggibonsi and Florence on May 19.
Radda nel Bicchiere
On June 2 and 3, a wine festival is held throughout the village of Radda. This annual event is intended to give the residents and visitors of Radda the opportunity to taste the excellent quality of its wines - while enjoying the beautiful surroundings. A special event is among others the blind tasting: all participants of the wine festival are invited to choose their personal favorite wine without knowing their winery!
Corsa del Palio in Siena
On July 2 and August 16, this world-famous horse race takes place in Siena. The race is held between 10 of the 17 districts ("contrade") of the city and is held in the central Piazza del Campo. The winning prize is the so-called "Palio", a long banner on which is typically depicted the Madonna blessing the city and the districts. For each race a new banner is created, usually by an important Italian artist. Not surprisingly, there are always discussions about the artistic values of the banners: the "Palio" of August 1999, for example, drew the criticism of conservatives for being too modern - but nevertheless it was very valuable for the district (Chiocciola) that won it!
The race has been held since the 19th century in almost the same way even today, but its origins go back even further. Rightly, the race is famous for the wild fierceness of the rivalry between the competitors. Death and serious injuries are not uncommon both for the riders ("fantini") and for the horses, even if today more and more measures are taken to improve the safety of the race. Some condemn the spectacle as cruel to the horses, but the Sienese counter that the horses receive the most careful care before and after the race and that, even if the riders are equipped with whips, they are used only against the other riders - beating a horse, on the other hand, leads to a disqualification.
Summer concerts in Lamole
In the period from July to September, classical concerts are played in the church of Lamole every Sunday evening at 20:00. The entrance fee is 10 euros. As the program changes every year, we will be happy to send you the current events on request.
Concert weeks in Panzano and Greve
During the three weeks of the second half of July and the first week of August, concerts are held every year in the churches in and around Panzano and Greve. They start at 21.00 and are regularly free of charge. As the program changes every year, we will be happy to send you the current events on request.
Settimana Musicale Senese - Siena
In the last week of July concerts of the Academia Musicale Chigiana take place in Siena.
Festa del Nocciolo - Hazelnut Festival in Panzano
Regional specialties are served in the streets of Panzano. The festival is a relatively recent invention promoted by the tireless Dario Cecchini, butcher in Panzano and avowed lover of traditional cuisine. The festival takes place on August 14, and thus on the eve of Ferragosto (Assumption Day). Feragosto is the most important holiday in Italy and is traditionally celebrated with the family. Don't be surprised if the streets and highways are downright empty on this day.
Rassegna del Chianti Classico - Chianti Classico wine festival in Greve
This wine festival - the biggest in Chianti - is celebrated every year on the second weekend of September from Friday to Sunday in the main square of Greve. On Friday the wine festival starts at about 17.00, on Saturday and Sunday at 11.00. The stalls close at 20.00 each day. According to the idea of the festival, you buy a wine glass at the "Segretaria" and then you can taste all the wines at the stands without paying anything else. It is said that it has already happened that Greve has run out of glasses....
Vino al Vino - Panzano
This wine festival takes place on the third weekend of September in the main square.
Here you can taste wine from most of the wineries in Panzano. Music and cheerful atmosphere.
Wine harvest : Vendemmia
The exact dates vary from year to year, but the harvest usually takes place in late September or early October. An extremely interesting time to visit the area.
Il Baccanale - Montepulciano
On the second to last Sunday in October, Montepulciano celebrates the Vino Nobile festival with wine, food and music.
Sagra del Tordo - Montalcino
On the last Sunday in October, Motalcino hosts a medieval archery event in period costume.
Olive harvest
In November the olives are harvested by the farm workers. But also the landowners help here energetically, because the olives and their liquid gold are of special importance for an Italian landowner.
