Actually, because of the very fragmented and diverse territory and history of all Italy and of Le Marche in particular, every single town and village proudly displays its own specialty or celebration that characterize the local history and culture.
Many of these events are held in summer, but every season is characterized by different produce with subsequent celebrations and no occasion is overlooked to dress up in medieval or renaissance costumes. Casa della Befana - Urbania The Befana is a good witch that brings sweets to the good children and coal to the bad ones on the 6th of January. As Santa Claus lives in the North Pole, Befana lives in Urbania. This lovely town celebrates the Befana tradition from the 2nd to the 6th of January.
Carnival - Offida
Offida offers carnival celebrations that recall ancient pagan rites, the killing of a fake ox (lu bov fint) and a final huge bonfire of cane bunches (vlurd).
Things to do in Italy: Palio della Rana - Fermignano (Urbino) These historical games are the reenactment of the festival held in 1607, the first Sunday after Easter, to celebrate the independence from the neighboring city of Urbino. Most bizarre is the frogs competition where frogs on wheelbarrow compete in a race: believe it or not this his a historical game that after centuries of oblivion was revived in 1966. The race became so popular that it gave the name to the festival.
June Festival of Street Artists - Pennabilli (Urbino) At the beginning of the month buskers, jugglers, mimes and magicians come from all over the world to meet in the medieval town of Pennabilli. For three days the streets and the Teatro Vittoria are taken over by buskers and artists that will entertain the public until late at night. Palio di San Giovanni - Fabriano (Ancona) A nine days long celebration in a beautifully preserved medieval town.
Medieval Festival - Offagna (Ancona)
Offagna offers a medieval festival, a week long event at the end of July. Don’t miss the falconers show: it is performed at the top of the castle at dusk and the setting evokes magical atmospheres.
Palio della Quintana - Ascoli
Among the things to do in Italy is the Palio della Quintana, Ascoli: it is the hi-light of the historical enactment of the summer and a very good excuse to visit Ascoli, a jewel in itself.The main part of this jousting tournament takes place the second Saturday of July and the first Sunday of August.
Festa dell'Uva - Jesi In the last week of September there is the festival of grape in Cupramontana (Jesi). It is the apotheosis of Verdicchio wine with music, folk dances, food and Verdicchio fountains.
Truffle Fair - Acqualagna (Urbino)
This town in the Montefeltro area is also called capital of the truffle because it offers different kinds of it: the white, the black, and summer truffle, so you can buy it fresh year round. The fair of Acqualagna truffle takes place at the end of October, beginning of November. Another event at the end of October is the Sprevengoli Night in Ostra (Ancona). The sprevengoli are mischievous spirits that haunt and torment the humans. This four day events held around Halloween night, freezes with laughter and good food the spiteful gremlins.
Citta' dei Presepi - Loreto (Ancona)
Christmas tradition and things to do in Italy: exhibition and tour of Presepi (nativity scenes)
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