Events in Umbria

The small size of Umbria belies its importance as a region filled with cultural and historical treasures. All the cities of interest are within a few hours of each other, so a weeklong holiday here bids plenty of time to sample the best the region has to offer. In fact, virtually every Umbrian villa is situated perfectly for venturing into other regions as well. Rome, Siena and Florence are all less than two hours away– easy daytrips for most.

July and August are high festival and concert season; given the popularity of these events, it pays to purchase tickets ahead of time. Villas in Umbria are also in demand during the festival season so start by reserving your villa then organizing your festival tickets.

Music Festivals in Umbria

Perugia

Umbria Jazz Festival (July)
Held in Perugia since 1973, one of the most important jazz venues in all of Europe. Ten days of incomparable jazz, blues and fusion, with appearances over the years by Dizzy Gillespie, Sam Rivers, Herbie Hancock, Enrico Rava, Miles Davis and Lionel Hampton, and more recently by Keith Jarrett, B.B. King, Enrico Rava, Dedee Bridgewater, Gilberto Gil, Milton Nascimento, Terence Blanchard, Paolo Conte, Vinicio Capossela, Nicola Arigliano, Miriam Makeba, Renzo Arbore and its Swing Maniacs, Sergio Cammariere, the Coolbone Brass Band of New Orleans, Lyle Henderson & the Emmanuel Gospel Singers. www.bellaumbria.net/Perugia

Recommended villas near Perugia
HII PAL 14br, HII SOL 10br, HII DOR 9br, HII SEG 4br

Perugia Classico (Festival of Classical Music) (Late September)
The sacred music festival segues into a secular bent to finish off Perugia's music-filled summer with a week of classical and chamber music.

Todi

Todi Festival (Late July-August)
An annual event inaugurated in the 1980s, it features theater, music, ballet and opera in this medieval hill town for ten days in late summer. www.todiartefestival.it

Recommended villas near Todi
HII MAN 7br, HII CER 5br, HII TRR 4br, HII DEG 4br

Orvieto

Umbria Jazz Festival Winter (December-January)
If you happen to visit Orvieto in the winter, this four-day adjunct to the famed Umbria Jazz Fest is not to be missed. Enjoy wine tasting and internationally renowned jazz artists in Orvieto for what amounts to part two of Umbria's premier jazz festival. www.umbriajazz.com

There are numerous costumed festivals and traditional rites throughout the region. You'll find everything from fine arts, to flowers, to antiques.

Recommended villas near Orvieto
HII CAR 8br, HII UBA 5br, HII MEL 5br

Gubbio

The city of Gubbio in May is a hub of Italian folklore marked by two events of particular historical and cultural significance dating back to the 12th century—the Festival of the Ceri (Festa dei Ceri) and the Crossbow Competition (Palio della Balestra)

Recommended villas near Gubbio
HII PAL 14br, HII SNB 5br

Spoleto

Associazione Festival dei Due Mondi (Festival of Two Worlds) (June-July)
Three weeks of the performing arts including opera, ballet, theater and music in the medieval hill town of Spoleto. www.spoletofestival.it

Recommended villas near Spoleto
HII CST 7br

Sagra Musicale Umbria (Festival of Sacred Music) (Mid-September)
A festival of sacred music with 60 years of history behind it, drawing composers and groups from around the world.

Other Events in Umbria

One of the best times to visit Umbria in during the truffle harvest.

Winter Events

Christmas in Umbria (24th December - 6th January) Throughout Umbria
Umbria Jazz Winter (29 December - 2nd January) Orvieto

Spring Events

Painting the Skies Kite Festival (late March - 1st May) Castiglione del Lago
Tulip Festival (first or second Sunday in April) Castiglione del Lago
Italian Antique Exhibition (15th April - 1st May) Todi

Summer Events

Corpus Christi Floral Decorations (24th - 25th June) Spello
Spoleto Festival (in June or July) Spoleto
Classical Plays (July - August) Gubbio

Autumn Events

International Ceramics Competition and Exhibition (14th August - 30th September) Gualdo Tadino
National Horse Fair (8th - 10th September) Città di Castello
Eurochocolate (Second half of October) Perugia
Tasting of Italian Wines (22nd - 26th November) Torgiano

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