Any occasion is perfect for a celebration in Umbria

Umbria is rich in cultural gems – from charming medieval towns to stunning churches, archaeological wonders, and modern art showcases. It also hosts numerous festivals that celebrate food, music, art, and history, attracting visitors from across the globe to central Italy.

Celebrating art

The region features a vibrant mix of festivals dedicated to the arts, with the internationally acclaimed Umbria Jazz Festival being one of the most notable. For over 50 years, this festival has lured top jazz artists to Perugia for a 10-day celebration each July. Its success has led to the addition of a winter jazz festival in Orvieto and a fall jazz weekend in Terni.

Prefer Blues over jazz? The Trasimeno Blues festival, also held in July, showcases the finest contemporary blues artists. Most of the events take place at the medieval fortress in Castiglione del Lago, located on the shores of Lake Trasimeno.

The Festival dei Due Mondi (or Spoleto Festival) celebrates a rich array of artistic expressions each summer in Spoleto. Established in 1958, the due mondi symbolizes the goal of uniting European and American artists during a time of cultural division, celebrating their diverse styles in one festival. Since then, the event has flourished, featuring performances in dance, music, opera, and theater that enliven the city’s historical sites and open-air venues.

For those seeking more artistic experiences, the late summer Todi Festival features a lineup of theatrical and musical performances, along with visual arts exhibitions and literary events. The festival also offers theater masterclasses and workshops, hosting numerous national premieres. Additionally, late summer brings the Festival delle Nazioni, a chamber music festival in Città di Castello, which includes a competition for youth chamber ensembles named after Alberto Burri, a prominent visual artist from the area, and the Sagra Musicale Umbra, a classical music festival that showcases performances throughout the region.

History on display

Umbria is also home to several festivals steeped in history. One such event is Calendimaggio, celebrated in early May in Assisi, marking the arrival of spring with traditions that date back to medieval times.

The city is split into two “teams” – the residents of the upper section known as Nobilissima Parte de Sopra and those in the lower section called Magnifica Parte de Sotto. These two factions engage in various competitions testing their prowess and strength throughout the festival, featuring events like crossbow shooting, tug of war, and choral singing.

The festival includes re-enactments of medieval life and processions featuring participants in authentic period costumes. At the conclusion, a jury of international experts in music, history, and entertainment selects the winning team.

The town of Foligno also hosts a contemporary version of an event that dates back to 1613 known as the Giostra della Quintana, where knights from the Baroque era showcased their skills. Today, the city is divided into ten districts, each represented by a knight on horseback. These knights engage in “ring jousting,” racing around a track to spear rings hanging from a historic statue of Mars, the Roman god of war. As the contest progresses, the rings gradually decrease in size.

In the lead-up to the competition, a historic tavern in each of the ten districts opens its doors, becoming the focal point for local festivities. Residents don Baroque-era attire, and each tavern serves Umbrian specialties, including traditional dishes that date back to the seventeenth century.

A vibrant and artistic celebration, the Infiorate di Spello is held annually on the Christian holiday of Corpus Domini in late spring. For over a century, the residents of Spello have adorned the procession path with flowers, and over the years, these floral displays have grown increasingly intricate. Fresh and dried flowers in various hues are used to craft elaborate decorative “carpets” and “paintings,” with preparation starting months in advance.

During the event weekend, a buzz of activity fills the air as the infioratori, the artists behind the floral displays, bring their creations to life. Each year, a jury awards prizes for the most impressive displays.

For a modern celebration, visit Gubbio in northern Umbria to witness the Guinness World Record-holding largest Christmas tree. From early December to early January, a lighting installation on Mount Ingino transforms into a Christmas tree towering over 2000 feet (650 meters). A distinguished guest, including past Popes, is invited to light the tree each year, which can be seen from over 18 miles (30 km) away.

The flavors of Umbria

This region’s residents take great joy in celebrating their local culinary traditions, hosting various food festivals throughout the year.

The renowned black truffles of Umbria are the star attraction at Nero Norcia, a winter festival featuring numerous stalls dedicated to truffles in various preparations, along with cooking demonstrations and informative talks. The fall harvest season brings a host of other food festivals, including saffron celebrations in Cascia and Città della Pieve (Mercato dello Zafferano di Cascia, and Zafferiamo, respectively), the onion festival in Cannara (Festa della Cipolla di Cannara), and the black celery and sausage festival in Trevi (Sagra del Sedano Nero e della Salsiccia a Trevi).

These festivals showcase local products through tastings and educational activities, with some offering opportunities to visit the fields where these ingredients are cultivated.

If you're eager to taste some of Italy’s finest olive oil, the Frantoi Aperti festival spans multiple weekends across various Umbrian towns. As Italy's largest olive oil festival, it invites visitors to explore oil mills, stroll through olive groves, enjoy exhibitions and live music, and savor special themed dinners featuring the fresh oil.

For chocolate lovers, the annual Eurochocolate festival in Perugia gathers over 100 chocolate makers from across Europe, offering tastings, educational exhibits, chocolate sculptures, and more. While this event is commercial-only, Perugia boasts a rich chocolate-making tradition, with numerous artisan shops nearby, including those in Norcia that produce exquisite truffle chocolate.

Media and beyond

Each year, Umbria shines on the global stage with the International Journalism Festival, hosted in Perugia. This five-day event is Europe’s largest media gathering, featuring over five hundred speakers from across the globe. The festival draws international journalists, scholars, and media professionals, with sessions open to the public.

From arts and history to food and media, Umbria boasts a stunning variety of events and festivals. No matter when you visit the region, there’s always something thrilling on the calendar to experience.