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Events in Siena
Do you want to know more about the best events in siena? Keep reading this page.
Always check if the events are confirmed in your period of stay
Siena, city of art and culture
Siena is internationally renowned as a city of music, both for its academies, with advanced music courses for classical musicians and singers, and for the many concerts organized by the prestigious Chigiana Music Academy, Siena Jazz, Rinaldo Franci Musical Institute (all recognized as universities), and the Banda Città del Palio.
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Palio di Siena
The “Palio di Siena” is a not-to-be-missed centuries-old World-famous religious and civil festival that attracts numerous tourists every year. It is normally run twice a year, on July 2, in honor of Madonna di Provenzano, and on August 16, in honor of Madonna dell’Assunta. The city is divided into 17 Contrade, corresponding to various parts of the historic center. The contrade run in Piazza del Campo to win the coveted drappellone or Palio, called by the Sienese “Cencio”, made by a different artist for each race and commissioned by the Municipality of Siena. The Palio festival lasts for four days. On the first day, the so-called “Tratta,” the selection and assignment of horses to the contrade, takes place. The Center of Siena is divided into three Terzieri: Terzo di Camollia, Terzo di Città, and Terzo di San Martino. Siena is accessed through the gates opening in the city walls and delineate the Historic Center. To Terzo di città belong six contrade: Aquila, Chiocciola, Onda, Pantera, Selva, and Tartuca. To Terzo di San Martino belong five contrade: Civetta, Leocorno, Nicchio, Valdimontone, and Torre. To Terzo di Camollia belong six contrade: Bruco, Drago, Giraffa, Istrice, Lupa, and Oca. There are 17 contrade in total. Those participating in each race are ten: the seven contrade excluded the previous year participate by right, while the other three contrade are drawn among those who had run the year before.
The contrade constitute real territorial institutions, an important form of democracy, headed by a prior, comparable to the mayor: this is an elective office with organizational, administrative and management functions for the contrada. In the course of time, this institution has maintained the same function of organizing leisure time and gathering throughout the year, so much so that it is felt and represents a second family for all the contradaioli.
For tourist information you can visit www.terredisiena.it
To discover more curiosities on the Palio see www.ilpalio.org and www.ilpalio.siena.it
Sette Note in Sette Notti
Sette Note in Sette Notti is a festival that combines art, music, food, and wine: seven dates to visit at night in November/December, from 9:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., city museums while attending a live music concert and tasting typical products of the Territory of Siena.
Mercato nel Campo
In the first weekend of December, the Mercato nel Campo takes place: a characteristic traditional market with origins back in the 14th century, at the time of the Republic of Siena, mainly featuring local agricultural, craft, and manufacturing products.
Tutto il Natale di Siena
“Tutto il Natale di Siena” is a Christmas festival with exhibitions, markets, food and wine, concerts, performances, guided tours and more, from December 1 to January 31.
Dit'Unto - Starred Street Food Festival
On the second Sunday of October, the Michelin stars and the gastronomic excellences of Italian cuisine meet in the village of Villa a Sesta, in the municipality of Castelnuovo Berardenga, giving life to the festival of eating with your hands: the Dit’Unto.
A day dedicated to tasting and culinary traditions, to be in company and in the open air. To complete the day live music, shows, entertainment for children.
Mostra Mercato del Tartufo Bianco
In the second and third weekend of November, an exhibition that takes place in San Giovanni D’Asso, a small town in the Municipality of Montalcino, in the Crete Senesi area, known for the landscape and natural beauty of the area. It can also be visited with the “Treno Natura”. The event offers a rich program of experiences and activities, which include tastings of the white truffle of the Crete Senesi, flavors and street food of the territory, gala dinners at the Castle, truffle hunting, markets, shows and much more. At the Castle of San Giovanni d’Asso, you can visit the Truffle Museum, the first Italian museum dedicated to truffles and a didactic center on wild herbs. Of particular naturalistic interest: the Bosco della Ragnaia, a wooded park and garden of about nine hectares, created by the American artist Sheppard Craige who has continued to expand and embellish it since 1996. In March, the Festival of the Marzuolo Truffle and typical products of the Crete Senesi takes place in San Giovanni d’Asso, as well as tasting and sale of the fresh bianchetto truffle from the Crete Senesi.
Febbraio al Museo
In the month of February, a free special opening of city museums, events, and guided tours around the city of Siena.
Siena Francigena
Siena Francigena: Walking itineraries on the Via Francigena, suitable for everyone, including families with children, in evocative places of art and landscapes.
Crete Senesi
The south-east area of Siena takes the name of the “Crete Senesi”, due to the clayey conformation of the soil. It is a unique landscape in Italy. A “lunar”, surreal, very suggestive landscape, with gray-bluish shades, characterized by the typical conformations of the land: the “calanchi”. The barren and gradually undulating hills are traversed by rows of cypresses and isolated farmhouses can be seen on the top of the hills. A unique and natural spectacle that has often been the backdrop for movie sets. The area is also known for the production of the white truffle of the Crete Senesi.
La Giornata Nazionale del Trekking Urbano
Giornata Nazionale del Trekking Urbano: urban trekking festival, of which Siena is the leading city, on October 31, in collaboration with tour guides: routes between art, culture, spirituality, to visit the city in a green way and away from the usual tourist circuits.
Treno Natura
A journey through time aimed at environmentally sustainable tourism. A vintage train that runs along a decommissioned railway line from June to December, connecting various routes in the Tuscan countryside such as the Crete Senesi, the Val d’Orcia, and the Brunello di Montalcino areas, all the way to Chiusi. The route is combined with the participation of special events, such as fairs or village festivals with the possibility of excursions to discover villages, castles and the opportunity to stop at some farms for the tasting of excellent local products. The duration of the route is one day; it is possible to get off at various stations to visit villages, castles, stop for a tasting at food and wine festivals and fairs.
The Ciclostoriche: Eroica of Gaiole and Nova Eroica
For sportspeople, the Ciclostoriche: “l’Eroica di Gaiole” in autumn, it starts in Gaiole, travels through Chianti, reaches Siena and descends into the Crete Senesi; “La Nova Eroica” in spring, which starts from Buonconvento, runs through the Crete Senesi, skims Siena and Chianti. These are cycling events and competitions that take place mainly on white roads with vintage bicycles and clothing; “Nova Eroica” admits modern bikes, while “L’Eroica” only admits vintage equipment.
L' Angolo del Collezionista
L’angolo del Collezionista: an antiques market held in Piazza del Mercato, every third Sunday of the month, excluding August.
RCS Strade Bianche
“La Strade Bianche” (UCI World Tour international professional race) is held in month of March, is reserved for professionals and broadcasted live by RAI, is a race on white roads through the Crete Senesi with start and finish in Siena, in Piazza del Campo.
Gran Fondo Strade Bianche
FIS international amateur race held in spring, with two itineraries dedicated to amateur cycling.
Le 1000 Miglia
“The 1000 Miglia” is held in spring, the internationally known race with the participation of historic cars and crews from all over the world, a journey that crosses the territory of the province of Siena.
Sport Siena Week-end
Sport Siena Weekend: between the end of February and the end of March, sports are celebrated in all their forms, with exhibitions, shows, lectures, competitions at competitive and amateur levels.
