Festivals & Events
Annual Events Calendar
From spectacular bonfires in January to a living nativity in December, Pontremoli and the Lunigiana offer celebrations in every season.
January
Challenge of the Falò
A spectacular tradition where parishes compete to build the largest bonfire. Flames soar up to 20 meters high, lighting up the winter sky. Rooted in medieval Guelph-Ghibelline rivalries.
PontremoliMarch
Festival della Creatività
A creativity festival celebrating art, innovation, and cultural expression across multiple venues in the historic center.
PontremoliApril
BancarelFiore
A delightful flower and garden plant fair that transforms the historic center into a vibrant marketplace with dozens of stalls.
PontremoliMay
Premio Bancarellino
A prestigious literary award for children's fiction. Hundreds of students from across Italy participate as jurors, voting for their favorite books.
PontremoliTour Day Food & Wine
A food and wine tour celebrating Pontremoli's gastronomic traditions. Sample local products while exploring medieval streets.
PontremoliGranfondo Città di Pontremoli
A thrilling mountain bike competition with two tracks of varying difficulty through the stunning Lunigiana landscapes.
PontremoliJune
Pontremoli Francigena Half Marathon
A non-competitive walking event following the historic Via Francigena pilgrimage route through beautiful countryside.
PontremoliC'era una volta Albiano
Three evenings of shows and entertainment reenacting the founding of the village of Albiano in 1266.
Lunigiana AreaJuly
Madonna del Popolo
A grand procession commemorating a vow made to the Madonna in 1622 when the town was saved from plague.
PontremoliPremio Bancarella
One of Italy's most prestigious literary awards, judged by booksellers nationwide. First winner was Hemingway for The Old Man and the Sea.
PontremoliFosdinovo Medieval Festival
The village comes alive with musicians, ladies, jesters, and artisans recreating a medieval atmosphere.
Lunigiana AreaZùp'r e l' Borgo
A journey back in time with jesters, sword fights, and traditional crafts in the historic village.
Lunigiana AreaLand and Court Archers' Challenge
Historical reenactment of a 1572 battle featuring an archery competition between five districts.
Lunigiana AreaJuly-August
Lunigiana International Music Festival
A summer music academy offering masterclasses, seminars, competitions, and concerts.
Lunigiana AreaAugust
Tre Sere nel Passato
The Malaspina village hosts workshops, flag-wavers, and historical performances at the foot of Castello dell'Aquila.
Lunigiana AreaRenaissance Filetto
The walled village hosts educational activities and performances centered on daily life in the late Middle Ages.
Lunigiana AreaThe Old Trades in the Village
Celebrates rural traditions with demonstrations of ancient trades: blacksmithing, stonemasonry, and carpentry.
Lunigiana AreaMedievalis
A spectacular four-day historical reenactment commemorating Emperor Frederick II's 1226 visit. Medieval parades, flag-throwing, tournaments, and medieval dinners at the castle.
PontremoliSeptember
ColorInCorsa
A fun, non-competitive color run where participants get showered with brightly colored powders through the streets.
PontremoliOctober
Castagnate
Traditional chestnut festivals celebrating the local harvest with roasted chestnuts, necci, and castagnaccio.
PontremoliPremio Bancarella Cucina
A literary award dedicated to gastronomic literature, celebrating the art of food writing.
PontremoliTourday Food Tour
Il Food tour più pazzo d'Italia — a wild and wonderful food tour through the streets of Pontremoli.
PontremoliDecember
Presepe Vivente di San Francesco
A living nativity scene at Castello del Piagnaro, recreating the first nativity staged by Saint Francis of Assisi.
Pontremoli