Halloween Events in Tuscany 2016
Halloween is a typical Anglo-Saxon feast and is widely celebration in the United States, but it finds its roots nestled deep in the Old World. It is believed that the celebration originated from pagan Celtic harvest festivals and particularly the Gaelic festival Samhain and that it was later Christianized as Halloween. The name itself derives from Allhalloween, All Hallows’ Eve or All Saints’ Eve, the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It marks the start Allhallowtide the time dedicated to commemorating the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed.
Some decades ago Halloween in Italy was only known from the Americans movies, where dressed up children went “trick or treating” or psychos went on a bloody killing spree.
Halloween first took root in Italy mostly a children’s fest, but every year more parties and festivals are organized for grown-ups. In numerous cities, there are dance parties, street festivals, and various themed events. We’ve made a selection of the largest and most well-known Halloween events in Tuscany and we’ll be adding more to the list as information becomes available.
Trick or Treat! Or as we say in Italian “dolcetto e scherzetto”!
Halloween Events in Tuscany 2016
Antiques Fair of Arezzo
The Antiques Fair Arezzo takes place every first Saturday and Sunday of the month, it is the largest in Italy, with over 500 exhibitors.
Salvador Dali Exhibition | Pisa
Oct. 1st, 2016 – Feb. 5, 2017 | Palazzo Blu in Pisa is hosting the exhibition Dalì , the classical dream featuring over 150 works of Salvador Dalì.
Fiera di Scandicci (Florence)
Stretching out over more than 18.000 square meters, the Fiera di Scandicci is one of the largest market fairs in the region.
Chestnut Festival Marradi 2016 (FI)
October 9-16-23-30 | One of the largest chestnut festivals in the region with a broad range of traditional delicacies with the chestnut as the main ingredient.
Food and Wine in Progress | Florence
Nov. 27 – 28 | Large enogastronmic event in Florence with hundreds of chefs, over 130 wineries and representatives of other sectors related to beverage and food.
Porcino and Chianina Beef Festival | Castelfranco di Sotto (PI) 2016
November 5 – 6 | This food festival in the province of Pisa has two protagonists on the menu: the Porcino mushroom and Chianina beef.
Halloween Celebration 2016 | Borgo a Mozzano (LU)
October 29 – 31 | The largest Halloween celebration in Italy takes place in Borgo a Mozzano about 20 km from Lucca.
Halloween Run | Florence 2016
October 31 | Run with zombies, witches, ghosts and other creepy characters during the scariest race of the year: the Halloween Run Florence 2016
Halloween Fest | Lorenzana (PI) 2016
October 31 | The village Lorenzana will be invaded by zombies, vampires, and werewolves. Street artists, fire eaters, and street bands and will lighten up the dark Halloween night.
HalloWine | Castellina in Chianti (FI) 2016
October 30 – 31 | Halloween fest with food stalls, chestnuts, wine, music, dance and an infernal street parade.
Family Festival Halloween | Livorno 2016
October 31 | Livorno celebrates Halloween in family style activities and entertainment for all ages, face painting, music, fire show, street artists, horror cinema, Halloween horror dinner.
Steam train excursions 2016 | Siena area
A unique way to discover the Siena area is by steam train. The “Nature Train” usually leaves from Siena and takes you on a ride through the beautiful Tuscan hills.
