Planning your vacation or just a short getaway in September?
The month of September is rich in events and festivals all across the region. September in Tuscany offers the bright colors medieval festival in Lucca and Arezzo, the deep-seated competition between Pescia and Asciano, and sweet aromas from Prato.
Here is our roundup the main events taking place across Tuscany throughout the month of September. This is also the month when you can find lots of exciting things happening in vineyards throughout the region, read here to find out some of the more popular events in wine this month.
When possible we add an official website or Facebook page and we encourage you to always double check the dates with an official source. We are constantly updating the dates for the new year, if they have not yet been posted by official sites then we write in TBA (to be announced) - so keep checking in with us...or write us on the Forum.
With so much to choose from, we have divided this month into a few separate calendars so we could list more activities and so you can focus on what interest you the most:
Author's Note: This article was last updated on September 9, 2019, to make sure we're giving you up-to-date info, if the dates have not yet been announced then we indicate TBA (to be announced). If they have not yet been posted keep checking in with us...or better yet, write us on the Forum
No matter what corner of Tuscany you are visiting this September, you will find fantastic possibilities to enjoy genuine food and colorful events.
ANNUAL EVENTS
repeating every year in the same period
Lucca | SEPTEMBER LUCCHESE | September
Amusements, traditional festivals & celebrations
Besides food stands, agricultural fairs, traditional markets, handicrafts expositions, this manifestation brings to town, one of the greatest amusement parks in Tuscany which is hosted in Piazzale Don Baroni just outside the city walls. A place that every year draws thousands and thousands of people of all ages as they await the arrival of the warm apple, roller coaster, dodgems and the "tunnel of fear" to take a thrilling ride! September Lucchese is also synonymous with the sweet specialty that defines this manifestation (and has gradually become one of the most characteristic aspects of the local culinary tradition): the frati (sugar covered fried doughnuts)
Arezzo | FIERA ANTIQUARIA | 1° Sunday & preceding Saturday (Aug. 31 - Sept 1)
The oldest and the biggest antique fair
Many years ago, Ivan Bruschi gave life to one of the oldest and biggest antique fairs in Tuscany...maybe even all of Italy. He transformed his love for the old, unique and precious into an event that fills the streets of Arezzo every first Sunday of the month and the Saturday that precedes it that month.
Pitigliano | SETTEMBREdiVINO | 1° weekend (August 29, 30, 31 & Sept 1, 2019)
and the Festa delle Cantine in southern Tuscany
Takes place over 4 days starting on the Thursday before the first weekend in September. This fun little play on words - a Divine September - or a September filled with wine. Either way, it is a fascinating way to get to know the wine cellars of this town carved from stone.
Panzano in Chianti | APRILANTE | 1° Sunday (Sept 1)
Handcrafts & Vintage
We know they call the fair "April"ante, but it really goes all year round! This monthly market in the streets of this charming town in Chianti is where you will find handcrafts, vintage and delicious typical foods and all of it this is just outside in the countryside surrounding Florence.
Arezzo | GIOSTRA DEL SARACINO | 1° Sunday (Sept 1)
Medieval games deeply rooted in the city's history
It’s one of the most eagerly awaited events that Tuscans love to celebrate, during which the whole city turns back into a medieval town to recreate the atmosphere of yesteryear. Festivities start a week earlier, giving life to a rich calendar of daily events and culinary meet-ups that end with the Joust on Sunday. A competition between the 4 quarters of the city to win the Golden Lance, with a parade in historical costumes, drummers, and flag-throwers.
Read here for More Info More Info
Pescia | PALIO DEGLI ARCIERI | 1° Sunday (Aug 25 - Sept 1)
Festivities start a week earlier (August 27) with authentic reenactments of the old games and culinary competitions among the districts of the town, historical parades, drummers and flag-throwers exhibitions. The town is covered into the bright colors of the rival rioni, creating a lively atmosphere throughout the week. On the first Sunday of the month, the grand finale plays out, the Archery Palio: 4 archers per district will be competing against each other to win the treasured banner.
Nozzano | IL CASTELLO RIVIVE | 1° weekend (Aug 30-31 & Sept 1)
Nozzano, a quaint village in the province of Lucca, where you can live between reality and fantasy (August 21 & Sept 1 - 2, 2019 :: Discover Tuscany Events Calendar), in a historical reenactment in medieval style offering traditional markets, street artists, acrobats and jugglers, jesters and innkeepers ready to delight you with their medieval delicacies.
Asciano | PALIO DEI CIUCHI | 2° Sunday (Sept 8)
Traditional donkey races
A recurring tradition throughout all of Tuscany but no one does it quite like Asciano. The donkey race between the 7 districts of the town is held in the stadium. Before the competition takes place, a wonderful parade winds its way through the historical center to get to the stadium, where visitors can enjoy an amazing show by the city's flag-throwers. Festivities, with gastronomic events, wine & food as well as a lot of music, will start a week earlier.
Greve in Chianti | IL PAGLIAIO | 4° Sunday (22 Sept)
Organic and Artisan Market
Piazza Matteotti is filled with locals who feature goods from their gardens, their kitchens, and their workshops. Often you will find not only great bargains but music and opportunities to do some taste testing.
Florence | CARRO MATTO | last Sunday in Sept
a wine tradition in Florence
An event deeply rooted in the Florentine tradition and culture, aimed at celebrating one of the most representative aspects of the city and its surroundings, the Carro Matto puts wine production in the spotlight. This event is accompanied by a wonderful historical parade, musicians, drummers, and flag-throwers: something you should get to experience if you are nearby around the end of the month.
Scansano | FESTA DELL’UVA | Last weekend in September
over 50 years of Morellino wine tastings
Heading into the Grosseto area, it is possible to start tasting the wine especially the protagonist of this event: DOCG Morellino di Scansano! A festival filled with food, wine, and activities not to mention over 60 local artisans and their handmade products. The Festival is the last weekend, but all the weekend before that you will find many special opportunities to go wine tasting in the area.
Lucignano | MEMORIE DAL PASSATO | TBA - normally the last weekend of Sept
Memories of the past, with traditions & food
A jump back in time in Lucignano in the province of Arezzo. But only as far as the last century offering scenes of daily life from the 1800-early 1900’s. History is brought back to life exhibiting traditional crafts and trades in the dress of the last century. Stroll along the city center streets and enjoy the magic of this 20th-century atmosphere, while breathing in the aromas of the typical recipes of yesteryear.
ANNUAL EVENTS
repeating every year on the same date
Florence | RIFICOLONA | Sept 7
celebrates the pilgrimage of hundreds of peasants & farmers
The festive atmosphere of Summer continues filling the air in September with contagious magic and folkloristic style. The origins of the pilgrimage of hundreds of peasants and farmers from the countryside into the city of Florence is to celebrate the birth of the Virgin Mary on September 8th.
---> More events in and around Florence
Prato | SACRA CINTOLA | Sept 8
a treasured relic inspires fun in the city
September 8 is a very important day for Prato's religious tradition since it is one of the very few rare occasions when the Virgin Mary’s Girdle is displayed amid much religious pomp and drummers in cathedral's square (another is on December 25 and 26). The relic is, in fact, kept under heavy lock and key year-round in a chapel of the Duomo where an enchanting Agnolo Gaddi's fresco cycle "The Legend of the Holy Girdle (1392-95)" recounts the arrival of the girdle in Prato
Scarperia | DIOTTO | Sept 8
the city of knives just outside of Florence
This too is another important event that many eagerly await! Celebrating the foundation of the town Scarperia over 600 years ago, the manifestation consists of several contests between the rioni (or districts), an enchanting parade in historical costumes and flag-throwers. The festivities are preceded by a beautiful Renaissance fair (the so-called Renaissance Days) spread out all over the charming village.
Lucca | FESTIVITA’ DELLA SANTA CROCE | Sept 13 & 14
An age-old ritual that celebrates the Holy Wooden Cross
The festival consists of a procession that leaves from the Basilica of San Frediano on the evening of the 13th and runs through the town to the Cathedral, to pay homage to the Holy Wooden Cross. The most interesting aspect, of what can be considered one of the most important annual event of the town, is the “luminara”, which creates a truly spectacular effect with candles everywhere in the town. If you are interested in knowing more about the Holy Cross Celebrations.
Take a look at our article
GREAT EVENTS
Check these events while in Tuscany this September
Fucecchio | SALAMARZANA | Sept 7 -8
Medieval Festival takes over the town
Set in the city center of Fucecchio this fair revisits the historic games, entertainment, and foods found along the via Francigena. In the streets, courtyards, gardens and town squares lend themselves to recreate a special ambiance in costume including visits to the churches, towers, and palazzos. You will find stands with artisans, military camps, music, magicians and dancers and more which will drag you back into yesteryear. Read our blog post with more details on the Medieval Festival.
Venturina Terme | BEER FEST | Aug. 23 - Sept 8
a mix of cultures
Towards Livorno, on the coast of Tuscany, the festival (Bavaria Fest) has brought Bavarian culture and gastronomy to Tuscany. As you enjoy the delights of a Bavarian-style restaurant, sipping a beer mug, you can enjoy a bit of the magic of the Oktoberfest tradition: every night Bavarian music alternates with international music, a typical German original orchestra will perform at the Beer Festival and will entertain you with cheerful Bavarian music, prosit and fun gags
Cortona | CORTONATIQUARIA | Aug. 24 - Sept 8
57th Edition
Cortonantiquaria returns, the oldest in Italy, and you will find the city of Cortona immerses itself in an atmosphere of other centuries. The show gives everyone the dream of going back in time by doing strictly vintage shopping. An event of great value for the Italian antique market, and extraordinary longevity that places it among the most prestigious events in Italy.
Sansepolcro | PALIO DELLA BALESTRA | Aug 31 & Sept 1, 3, 4 & 8
just east of Arezzo, rich with historical celebrations
A crossbow contest between the men of Gubbio and Sansepolcro who dress in medieval costumes and use antique weapons (on the last Sunday in May, in fact, the crossbowmen of Sansepolcro travel to Gubbio in Umbria for the first match of the Palio). But that's not all there is to do at this event. You will find food, games and crafts.
Radicofani | PALIO DEI BIGONZI | September 8
A new tradition in southern Tuscany
Though a recent addition to the annual calendar of events, this palio promises fun and excitement. It consists of two athletes racing a barrel, much like that which was used to carry wine...but carrying an empty barrel would be too easy between the contrade, so they start with an archery competition which establishes the handicap...exactly how many kilos are to be added to the barrel and carried across the finish line.
Check out the event page on the city website
Vicopisano | FESTA MEDIEVALE DI VICOPISANO | Aug 31 & Sept 1
Adults and kids join in the fun in the province of Pisa
At the Rocca del Brunelleschi, the fun is on! Including many events especially aimed at kids plus an authentic medieval-style dinner, organized in the square in front of the Palazzo Pretorio, surrounded by the rare beauty of the historical center of Vicopisano, with its massive Fortress designed by Brunelleschi as the backdrop.
Bacchereto | SAGRA DEL FICO | Sept 7 -15
You have to be a fan of this fig food festival
Every day of this sagra features a different dish including penne pasta with figs! They are bringing out the fall flavors and their figs are one of the best not to be missed.
Greve in Chianti | CHIANTI EXPO | Sept 5-8
wine, wine, and more wine
If you want to celebrate the finished product of the gran vendemmia, then you need to head to Chianti and the wine EXPO. Local producers will have bottles to sample with the purchase of a souvenir glass, you can then stroll through the small town with the stands showcasing their finished products and inhaling the atmosphere of Greve in Chianti and the vendemmia (grape harvest).
Lucca | MURABILIA | Sept 6-8
high-quality gardening expositions
The marvelous backdrop of Lucca's Renaissance city walls will host Murabilia, which offers more than 200 specialized stands, conferences, workshops, lessons with the participation of special guests and uncommon plants and flowers species from all around the world. If you love flowers and plants, you should not miss this!
Official Website for the program
San Gimignano | MEDIOEVO IN ROCCA | Sept 7-8
Middle Ages at the Fortress
At the top of September's events in the province of Siena, there’s San Gimignano with its Medioevo in Rocca: visitors will be totally immersed in a surreal atmosphere, with historical parades, drummers and jugglers exhibitions, musicians and offering a lot of fun occasions for both children and grown-ups. Free entrance.
Buonconvento | VILLAGGIO DELLA BIRRA | Sept 6 - 7 - 8
International Festival of Small Breweries
The first edition dates back to 2006 and for years it was just a small deal where a few hundred people gathered to sample Belgian beers. Then it moved to overlook the hills of Val d'Arbia and 8,000 visitors year, enthusiasts from all over Europe come to enjoy Siena, Val d’Orcia, and Tuscany as well as the many local micro-breweries as well as international brews.
Official Website for the program
Montalcino | SETTIMANA DEL MIELE | Sept 6 - 7 - 8
the sweet varieties of honey
Revel in the sweet flavor of honey at this week-long celebration with talks, demonstrations and even taste-testing local honey while in Montalcino.
San Gimignano | XI EDIZIONE DEL FESTIVAL BAROCCO | Sept 15 - 22 - 26 at 6 pm
Baroque Music in the most charming setting
During the hour-long concerts, you will be regaled with pieces from the best-known repertoire of Opera (Mozart, Bellini, Donizetti, Puccini, Verdi, etc), Italian Baroque (Monteverdi, Scarlatti, Pergolesi, etc) and Sacred Music (Bach, Pergolesi, Mozart, "Ave Maria" by Schubert). The performers are all virtuoso Italian and international singers and musicians.
Poggio a Caiano | ASSEDIO ALLA VILLA | Sept 13 - 14 - 15
just outside of Florence near Prato, a siege takes place
Stepping out to the province, Poggio a Caiano, famous for being home to one of the most beautiful Medici villas in Tuscany, will be home to Assedio alla Villa which consists of a historical play that will turn the whole town into a Renaissance village. Visitors will feel like traveling back in time, with itinerant performances, handicraft markets, and fairs, enjoying the old arts and crafts. An incredible firework concludes the manifestation on the last day.
Arezzo | STREETFOOD ITALIA | September 13-15
A Collection of Flavors from across Italy
One of the largest displays of flavors and finger food from all over Italy. Join the crowds in savoring fried specialties, hamburgers made with quality meat and artisan desserts and beers.
Check out the StreetFood Italy official site
Lucca | FOOTSTEPS of ELISA BONAPARTE | Sept 15 from 10 am to 7 pm
Relive Villa Reale as it was in the 1800s
The beautiful Marlia, was a place of love and passion, of pleasure, music, good conversation, and the royal palace of Elisa Bonaparte, Princess of Lucca and Piombino. The amazing Villa Reale Marila and gardens, just outside of Lucca, once belonged to Elisa Bonaparte, and this event will have you experiencing the magical beauty of the 1800s.
Monteriggioni | SLOW TRAVEL FEST | Sept 27 - 28 - 29
three days of slowing down to enjoy the landscape
The colorful area of Monteriggioni, Abbadia an Isola and the antique roads of the Via Francigena are the setting for the Slow Travel Fest, an event totally dedicated to the culture of traveling at a slow and easy pace by foot or bike. The festival proposes something different every day: meeting travel authors themed excursions - following the antique railway tracks on the 23rd, nature walks, and shows, as well as concerts in the evening.
Carmignano | FESTA DI SAN MICHELE | Sept 27 - 28 - 29
Not just a donkey race, but true art
Carmignano, located just outside of Florence and Prato, will be home to Saint Michael's Feast, with folkloristic parades and the Palio of Donkey, a race on a donkey all around the historical center of Carmignano, during which the local rioni (districts) will compete against each other to win the Palio banner. A fascinating twist combines this traditional race with a “Street Theatre”, where all four quarters work hard over the year to perfect their performance with suggestive choreographies, dances each boasting a unique and personal theme.
Author's Note: This article was last updated on September 9, 2019, to make sure we're giving you up-to-date info, if the dates have not yet been announced then we indicate TBA (to be announced). If they have not yet been posted keep checking in with us...or better yet, write us on the Forum
