All the most important events taking place in Calabria, month after month.

January

Saint Sebastian Day. It takes place every year at Cropani, near Catanzaro, to celebrate the patron saint of the town: food and wine stands, music and dancing.

Floats parade at Castrovillari

Castrovillari Carnival. An event that has been going on for 50 years and is by now part of the local tradition. Every year, a rich programme featuring parades of masks, floats and cultural events, first of all the International Folklore Festival. Last week of the month.

Carnival of Amantea. Some of the best masks of the region march on parade floats along the village streets, near Cosenza. Last week of the month.

Tropea Onion Festival. A fair to celebrate the famous Calabrian red onion. In the gastronomic stands you can taste thousands of delicatessen made with this lovable product: a sweet onion with a large red bulb and white internal tunics. An opportunity to celebrate also the traditions of the peasant world and to re-discover the local cuisine where onions have always been very common. It takes place at Tropea, near Vibo Valentia.

February

The ancient icon of Mary of the Pilerio goes back to the 12th century

Saint Biagio Day. Every year the festival celebrating Saint Biagio, patron saint of the town, are held in Cassano Jonio. A traditional fair which is also a perfect chance to enjoy good food, characterised by genuine folk fun.

Festival of Mary of the Pilerio. It takes place every year in Cosenza on February 12th. According to tradition, in 1576, Mary would have saved the city from plague drawing the pestilence on herself. Since then, every year, the statue of Mary is carried around the city. An event attracting thousands of believers.

Carnival of Paola. Performances in the town’s square: culture, music and great fun with parade floats, masked groups and flag-wavers livening up every street.

March

Saint Leoluca Day. At Vibo Valentia, on March 1st, the day of the patron saint of the town is celebrated. During this day, the prize of Testimony is awarded to somebody who has distinguished himself socially.

Frassie of Carnival. Frassie are improvised satirical compositions against famous people of politics and culture. The event takes place during the annual carnival at San Giovanni in Fiore.

The typical Calabrian Fileja

Filejata. A kermes at Vibo Valentia to taste and spread the gastronomic traditions of the land. King of the fair is the Fileja, a traditional type of home-made pasta seasoned with the most delicious specialities of the local tradition.

The parade of the Battenti. At Verbicaro, near Cosenza, an ancient and typical parade takes place every year. The battenti are people that hit themselves with a cork cylinder supplied with 5 acuminated glass points (called cardillo) to prove their religious belief.

Saint Nicodemo Day. On March 12th, Mammola celebrates the patron Nicodemo Abate who died on that day, back in 990, in the monastery of mount Kellerano. The fair begins early in the morning with fireworks and the Mass. Then, like every year, the sacred parade goes through the streets of the village along with the local band. On the same occasion, people organise the traditional fair during which local typical products are sold, e.g. the Stocco of Mammola, an excellent stockfish accompanied by a delicious Cirò wine.

The procession of the Affrontata at Vibo Valentia

Procession of the Vattienti. The night between the 21st and 22nd of March, the procession of the Vattienti takes place in Nocera Terinese. It is the procession of the people who mortify their own flesh inflicting painful punishments on themselves, as in ancient times penitents and anchorites used to do.

The Affrontata. The moment when the risen Christ met the grieved Mary is commemorated every year on the Easter Sunday in Vibo Valentia. It is one of the most evocative processions among those taking place during the Holy Week.

The Desolata. It is a suggestive procession taking place on the night of the Good Friday in Vibo Valentia. During this procession, the statue of Mary is carried around the city recalling, in this way, the search for her son’s grave.

The Naca. A typical procession taking place every Good Friday in Catanzaro. The dialect word Naca means cradle: it is the litter where Jesus was laid after his death. The origin of this event are very ancient.

April

A view of Amendolara

Festival of Nacatola. It takes place at Gioia Tauro to celebrate the typical Calabrian sweet. A folk festival that people who love sweets and coffee cannot miss.

Saint Vincent Day. It falls in April and takes place at Amendolara, in the province of Cosenza, to honour the patron saint of the town. On this occasion, people celebrate also the spring with a contest of fulcarazzi, big bonfires that are lit in every square of the village. Moreover, there is a fair that originally was dedicated exclusively to cattle and today ranges from local gastronomy to handicraft.

May

Festival of Dawn. Every year, in Crotone, a kermes of music events takes place to celebrate the sun rising. The final concert is held on the cape of Capocolonna at daybreak on May 25th.

Festival of Mary of Manipuglia. It takes place at Crucoli, in the province of Crotone. The homonymous sanctuary, on the provincial road linking Crucoli to Torretta, is dedicated to Mary of Manipuglia: it is a pilmigrage destination where many believers from neighbouring villages gather, especially in summer. A delightful, mystic and relaxing landscape.

Procession of the Greek Mary. An ancient tradition is repeated every year in the Isle of Capo Rizzuto, near Crotone. The finding of her Greek Icon on the beach of Capo Rizzuto, dating back to the 8th century, is celebrated. An evocative sea procession by night with boats amid fireworks.

The church of Capo Colonna at Crotone

Festival of Mary of Capocolonna. Festivities in Crotone throughout the month of May to celebrate the patron saint of the city. She is celebrated and worshipped with a solemn procession, in a whirl of emotions, lights and colours, with fantastic fireworks. It takes place between the second and third Sunday of May.

Festival and fair of the Holy Crucifix. It takes place at Cutro, a small town near Crotone, every year during the first week of May.  A moment of religious devotion and folk fun.

Saint Nicodemo Day. The celebration takes place at Mammola every year, on the Sunday after May 12th, in memory of the saint’s birth. The festival lasts all day and it is very popular in virtue of the deep devotion to this saint in Calabria.

Strawberry Festival. The annual festival at Acconia is dedicated to this delicious fruit of season. The event is held in the marvellous square of Saint John and includes music and dance shows besides a competition for the best cakes.

June

A knight during the Palio of Bisignano

Palio of Bisignano. The horse race takes place every year on the last Sunday of June. A very evocative event between knights and Saracens in this ancient village, near Cosenza.

Saint Antony from Padova Day. It is celebrated at Mammola. On this occasion, a procession of children is organised: they wear a white tunic and carry a lily in their hands. During the procession, consecrated bread is distributed.

Trade of Bovalino Marina. A large exhibition that every year counts  20.ooo visitors. Many are the goods displayed: from handicraft to home articles, from food products to tourism and leisure time.

Feast of Corpus Domini. The traditional and ancient catholic feast is held every year on the Corpus Domini Sunday throughout the streets of the city centre of Mammola.

July

The garden of the municipal Villa at Crotone

Summer Cultural Season of Crotone.  In July and August, at the municipal Villa and in the garden of the Classic Lyceum, there are theatre performances, concerts, movies and folklore, besides a jazz music festival.

Festival of Mary of the Carmelo. In the town of Varapodio, every year, this traditional religious feast  is held. A moment that links the local folklore to religious devotion.

Tournament of the Ring. Every year, at Catanzaro, the challenge among the different areas of the city is repeated. 14 knights try to insert their lance in the rings held by a Saracen and measure themselves against other trials. The tournament takes place in the day in which San Vitalino, the saint patron of the city, is celebrated. According to the tradition, he saved the city from the pestilence. Before the tournament, there is a marvellous fancy-dress procession with many figures.

Taureana and Saint Fantino Day. Saint Fantino, the first Calabrian saint there is memory of, is celebrated at Palmi. Taureana is the town of Saint Fantino who lived there around the 4th century A.D. His memory is celebrated on July 24th with a procession including horses and horsemen wearing medieval costumes.

A view of the sea by Tropea

Tourist Guide of Tropea and environs. In the town of Tropea, near Vibo Valentia, an annual kermes including music concerts, film festivals, theatre performances, photo and artistic exhibitions, folkloristic shows.

Seduction and Taste. At Bonvicino, near Cosenza, a fair of typical local products, art, tourism and fashion. An event that is a window on the local artisan firms of clothing, underwear, beauty, sea-fashion and accessories.

Amphiteacri. A music festival in a marvellous open-air theatre at Acri, near Cosenza. A programme packed with concerts that always features important people of the national and international artistic world.

Night of the tarantula. At Nocera Terinese an occasion to dance all night long to the pressing rhythm of the tarantula.

Saint Rocco Day. At Casignana celebrations to honour the saint patron Saint Rocco. A folk feast when moments of deep religious devotion mingle with more frivolous events.

Festival of Mary of the Seamen. It takes place in the hearth of the maritime area of Catanzaro. A wonderful parade during which the statue of Mary is carried in procession on a fishing boat. Believers take part in the parade on boats that are all decked out. The day ends with a spectacular fireworks show accompanied by the music of a band.

A swordfish dish

Vibonese Summer. At Vibo Valentia, a summer festival including theatre performances and live music in the old town of this ancient Calabrian city.

Fair of the Swordfish. In the square of Bagnara Calabra, different delicatessen belonging to the local tradition are offered. All made with swordfish.

Festival of  the Invasions. An event that leads to Cosenza some of the main characters of the artistic and cultural world.

August

The Race of Donkeys. At Castelsilano, near Crotone, a race that has been taking place since the ‘50 in the villages of the Sila. During the celebration for the saint patron, some contests among the strongest donkeys are organised.

The Cattolica of Stilo going back to the 10th century

Festival of the Pitta Chjina. At San Costantino Calabro, an event dedicated to the pitta chjina, a particular variety of bread dressed with the most different ingredients. One of the most important festivals in the territory of Vibo Valentia.

Palio of Ribusa. It takes place at Stilo. A contest of medieval taste. Bowmen, arbalesters and horsemen representing the ancient families compete in races of bowshot and in a tournament of the ring.

At Luzzi… white night. In the small village, in the province of Cosenza, a festival from sunset to dawn with jazz music, buskers, Latin American dancing, local food tasting along the streets and lanes of the village.

National Theatre Festival of Pellaro. A fixed event in this town near Reggio Calabria. The festival takes place in the first 15 days of August and features theatrical groups coming from all around Italy performing mainly in dialect.

Festival of Nature, Culture and Traditions. At Sant’Alessio, in Aspromonte, an extraordinary marriage of music, culture, traditions, exhibitions, flavours and spells in one of the most fascinating lands of the Mediterranean.

'Nduja, the typical Calabrian spicy salami

Festival of the ‘Nduja. At Spilinga, in the province of Vibo Valentia. The ‘ndujia is a sort of smoked pork sausage enriched with chilli. The word derives from the French “andouille” that means sausage. Its use in Calabria goes back to the Napoleonic era.

Folklore International Festival . A prestigious kermes of local and foreign folkloristic groups in the great location of Verbicaro.

Festival of  Fileja. The festival takes place at Filindari and it is dedicated to the fileja al ragù, a type of home-made pasta, and to many other delicious products of the area, such as the ‘nduja of Spilinga, the cheese of Poro, the sausages of Nao and the wine of Cirò.

Marcellina International Folk Festival. It is a unique event characterised by a cultural exchange among the different ethnic groups. Everything takes place in the marvellous setting of Marcellina.

The Varia of Palmi. The Varia is an imposing float, 16 metres high weighing 20 tons, that represents the assumption of the Virgin. The iron frame is carried in triumph by 200 young men and women, called ‘mbuttaturi, coming from the traditional guilds. They are supported by the crowd that pulls the ropes before the float along one of the main city’s routes.

Festival of Sujaca. An occasion to taste the typical local products, such as the famous kidney beans of the mount Poro cooked in the saucepan. Along with folkloristic performances and traditional dancing, like the dance of giants, the mata and grifone and the ballu du camejuzzu.

An evocative view of the Park of mount Corvino

Marathon of Corvino. An event that offers the opportunity to familiarise with the magnificent environment of the Reserve of the Corvino. The contest allows to choose distances proportionate to somebody’s skills. The start is at Diamante, a small village in the province of Cosenza.

Festival of the Morseddu. In Catanzaro, in August, there is the festival of the Morseddu. An event to celebrate one of the typical dishes of the area: a traditional recipe made with tripe, hearth and lung of veal in a tomato sauce dressed with red pepper.

September

Festival of the Indian Fig. At Scandale, near Crotone, a tasting of all the local varieties of Indian fig. Many recipes with this ingredient are at disposal: risotti, cakes, biscuits, spirits and jams. Folkloristic groups playing folk music cheer up every evening.

Regatta of Odysseus. At Reggio Calabria, in one of the most beautiful locations of the Mediterranean sea that still now preserves the mythological charm of ancient Magna Grecia, a sport and cultural event to build a bridge between past and present.

View of the town of Diamante

Festival of the Chilli. At Diamante a festival packed with cultural events, artists, important people and gastronomic demonstrations. Besides the stands with the typical local products (some of them very spicy!), also a competion on the satire of the spicy cartoons and the award “Corto Film Festival Piccante”.

Saint Ciriaco Abate Day. 3 days of feast celebrating the saint patron of Buonvicino: processions and religious events combined with lot of fun.

The Spicy Night. At Catanzaro Lido, a kermes of gastronomy, culture and music characterised by chilli and everything that is spicy and hot.

October

The Mushroom Festival at Mammola

Festival of Mary of the Rosary. It takes place at Mammola every year, on the second Sunday of October, in this medieval town. A fairy-dress festival to bring an ancient devotion to life again.

Mushroom Festival. In the alleys of San Giorgio Morgeto, typical stalls of local products mainly with mushrooms and stockfish.

Mushroom Day. At Mammola, on the last Sunday of October. A day characterised by good food and traditional recipes.

November

Caught in the act. A festival at Martano that features as main character this versatile fruit. The event is organised with the support of Slow Food.

Chestnut Festival. At Serrastretta, a typical local event to re-discover the ancient trades and the past gastronomy.

Olive trees at San Giorgio Morgeto

Nouveau Oil Festival. It takes place at San Giorgio Morgeto and represents an occasion to witness the different stages of the extra vergine olive oil production and taste the final product. A real festival full of typical dishes, music and folklore.

Chestnut and Nouveau Wine Festival. A traditional festival at Martone dedicated to local chestnuts and wine. Stands are prepared in the ancient part of the town.

Weaving the Art. An artistic festival on the ancient traditions of the textile handicraft set up in the “Art and Textile Research Centre” of Catanzaro. From the ancient and precious Calabrian fabrics to the textile creations of contemporaneous artists, you can experience the charm of weaving thanks to the skilled hands of the weavers who will guide you in a journey from warp to weft.

Babylon by Bus – Calabria Reggae Festival. A big music festival dedicated to up-beat music. Every year it features many artists of international rank.

December

Cortalese Bean Festival. An event entirely dedicated to this excellent product of the territory of Cortale, near Catanzaro.

The city centre of Cosenza with Christmas decorations

Christmas Nights. At the fair of Cosenza, an event of Christmas atmosphere with the national festival of crib art and the national exhibition of sacred art.

Fair of Art and Handicraft. Various artists of the Gelsomini Riviera display their hand-made works along the streets of Ardore. Wood, wrought iron, glass, pottery, decoupage, crochet works and much more.

Party of Flavours. A local event taking place at Mammola to taste some typical local products like oil, pizza bread, roast, stockfish, doughnuts, peppers, beans and, it goes without saying, wine.