Italy has few nationalFestivals, but there is no shortage of celebrations, saints' days being the usual excuse for some kind of binge. All cities, small towns andvillages have their local saint, who is normally paraded through the streets amid much noise and spectacle. There is no end of other occasions for a festa - either to commemorate a local miracle or historic event, or to show off the local products or artistic talent. Many happen at Easter, or in May, September or around Ferragosto (August 15); the local tourist office will have details and exact dates.

Recently there's also beven a reial of the carnial ( Carneale ), the last fling before Lent, although the anarchic fun that was enjoyed in the past has generally beven replaced by elegant, self-conscious affairs, with ingenious costumes and handmade masks. enice has the most famous carnial - a well-organized event that is so popular it sometimes takes over the entire city centre - and there are other, equally large and perhaps more fun events such as at iareggio in Tuscany and Acireale in Sicily, while smaller towns will often put on a parade. A carnial usually lasts for the fie days before Ash Wednesday; because it's connected with Easter the dates can change from year to year - count on some time betweven the end of February and end of March.

Festivals:

Ø Religious, traditional
Ø DiaryFestivals
Ø FoodFestivals
Ø ArtsFestivals
Ø Ferragosto

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