English Summer may be over, and with it the peak season of food festivals and village fairs…but in Italy, local celebrations never really stop. All year long, towns and villages across the country host events that keep centuries-old traditions alive. From the Alps to Sicily, each one tells a different story.
For locals, Italy festivals are a way to take a break and reconnect with their roots. For newcomers, it’s a chance to feel part of something bigger and to experience community life up close. But why do these local traditions still matter so much today? And what are the top events to attend in September 2025?
What It Means to Join a Local Festival
Attending a local festival is like stepping into a living piece of culture. A patron saint procession, folk dancing in the piazza, recipes cooked only for that day – each detail becomes part of the traditions and rituals that define a community’s identity.
In fact, in Italy, a festival is never “just a party”. It’s theater, costume, and spectacle. Think medieval towns staging historical reenactments, grape harvest parades where whole neighborhoods build elaborate floats, or the famous Palio di Siena, where entire districts (‘contrade‘) compete with pride.
And then there’s food, probably the main character of the event. Nowhere else are festivals so tied to food. Every region has its signature ingredient worth celebrating: truffles in Piedmont, artichokes in Lazio, oranges in Sicily, porchetta in Umbria etc. So visiting a festival isn’t just about enjoying a dish…it’s about understanding the care, effort, and respect behind it.
The ‘Piazza’: Italy’s Original Social Network
Ask older Italians where people used to meet, and the answer is always the same: the squares (‘piazza’). That’s where neighbors, friends, and strangers crossed paths.
Today, unfortunately, younger generations have largely lost this habit, and what used to be a chance for real-life interaction has now mostly shifted to small screens.
Still, this is where local festivals play an important role: even in a world that’s constantly changing, these celebrations bring back the authentic value of in-person social life, drawing people of all ages once again into the squares. It may sound simple, but it shows us how tradition sometimes doesn’t fade, even in the face of modern habits.
Why All Expats Should Join These Festivals
Food, as we know, brings people together. And it’s not just a saying – scientific research supports it. Robin Dunbar’s 2017 study, Breaking Bread: the Functions of Social Eating, shows that sharing meals strengthens trust, empathy, and social bonds. People who eat together more often report higher happiness, life satisfaction, and connection to their communities.
At Italian festivals, this is inevitable: sitting at long communal tables, queuing to taste the same local specialty…these shared experiences make connecting with others natural and easy. Moving to a new country often comes with invisible barriers, whether it’s the language, not having an established support network, or limited local knowledge. Festivals like these act as “social shortcuts”, creating bridges between long-time residents and newcomers.
You don’t need to have lived in a town for generations to feel included. Just show up, take part, and you’re already part of the story. You don’t even need to speak perfect Italian or know every historical nuance; your presence alone is enough to start forming connections. Even small gestures, like clapping along with a band or sharing a slice of local bread, instantly create bonds. You’ve probably noticed this in everyday life: whether grocery shopping or running errands, even if your Italian isn’t perfect, locals rarely hinder you – more often than not, you’ll encounter openness. After all, isn’t that what language is for? To communicate and be understood, even imperfectly.
One great way to integrate even further is volunteering: helping set up stalls, carry food, or organize games. To get involved, simply reach out to the local organizing committee or Pro Loco, share your availability and preferred role, and get involved in setting up, welcoming guests, or helping with food and drinks during the event.
Must-See Events in September 2025
To stay on topic, we’ve decided to highlight some of the most interesting initiatives happening in September 2025, from the largest festivals to the smaller local events:
| Event | Location | Dates | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sale in Zucca | Sale Marasino (BS) | Sep 4 – 7, 2025 | Pumpkin festival: market stalls with local products, live music, family activities, and the highlight “Pumpkin Challenge” with pumpkin weighing and crowning of the Pumpkin King. Local restaurants also offer pumpkin-based dishes. |
| Parma Ham Festival | Langhirano (PR) | Sep 5–7 & 12–14, 2025 | Tastings, prosciuttifici visits, live music |
| Festa della Rificolona | Florence | Sep 7, 2025 | Traditional lantern festival celebrating the Nativity of the Virgin Mary |
| Chianti Classico Expo | Greve in Chianti (FI) | Sep 11 – 14, 2025 | Wine tastings, local artisans, music |
| Sagra dell’arancino | Ficarazzi (CT) | Sep 11 – 14, 2025 | Festival dedicated to Sicilian street food arancini, with tastings and music |
| Venice Glass Week | Venice | Sep 13 – 21, 2025 | International glass art event with exhibitions, workshops, installations |
| Sagra dei Canederli | Vipiteno (BZ) | Sep 14, 2025 | Celebration of the traditional dumpling “canederli” with open-air dining, folk music, costume groups, and local markets in a medieval Alpine town |
| Pordenonelegge 2025 | Pordenone | Sep 17 – 21, 2025 | Itinerant literary festival across theaters and piazzas |
| Cous Cous Fest | San Vito Lo Capo (TP) | Sep 19 – 28, 2025 | Over 100 stands and exhibitors celebrating cous cous |
| International Salieri Circus Award | Legnago (VR) | Sep 25 – 29, 2025 | Competition festival with circus acts set to classical music |
| Festa dell’Uva | Impruneta (FI) | Sep 28, 2025 | Grape festival featuring a scenic challenge between four districts with allegorical floats and piazza choreography; tickets and updates available via the municipality |
Are you experiencing difficulties with your relocation process?
If you are still considering moving to Italy and aren’t sure where to settle, use our Town Explorer. Simply filter by the factors that matter most to you – such as proximity to hospitals, airports and beaches, local climate and internet connectivity – and it will show the cities that best match your lifestyle.
And if you are already facing challenges with your move, become a member and receive a one-hour free private consultation.
Was this helpful?
