🎉 Festivals and Popular Events in Viterbo: A Year of Tradition and Wonder

Giano di Vico
Jun 23
2 min read

In Viterbo, time isn’t measured in months and days —it’s measured in church bells ringing joyfully,in streets dressed in flowers, and in skies lit by fireworks.

Those who truly live Viterbo know:every season has its celebration,and every corner of the city holds a ritual waiting to be honored.

Here is a calendar of wonders, month by month —from famous events to hidden gems.

📆 The Calendar of Unmissable Events

✨ January

Feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot (January 17)➔ Blessing of animals and traditional parades.(Fun fact: they say the blessed bread brings good luck all year.)

✨ March – April

Holy Week➔ Silent processions and ancient rites in the historic districts.(On Good Friday night, the silence in Viterbo is as heavy as gold.)

✨ May

San Pellegrino in Fiore (late April – early May)➔ The entire medieval district transforms into a fairy-tale garden.(Streets, balconies, and piazzas overflow with flowers and fragrance.)

✨ June

Corpus Domini➔ Solemn procession through streets decorated with flower carpets and antique canopies.

Feast of St. John the Baptist in Bagnaia➔ Traditional bonfires on the most magical night of the year.

✨ July

Viterbo JazzUp Festival➔ Historic piazzas become open-air stages for musicians from around the world.

✨ August

Neighborhood Festivals (Sagre di Quartiere)➔ Folk events with food stands, music, and traditional games:

Pianoscarano
Santa Barbara
Pilastro

(The undisputed queen? A steaming porchetta sandwich at midnight.)

✨ September

Transport of the Macchina di Santa Rosa (September 3)➔ The night Viterbo’s heart beats the loudest.(A 30-meter illuminated tower carried on the shoulders of 100 men through a sea of emotion.)

✨ October

Feast of San Faustino and the Palio delle Contrade➔ District games, fireworks, and music.

✨ November

San Martino Fair in Bagnaia➔ Traditional market with new wine and roasted chestnuts.

✨ December

Christmas in Viterbo➔ Holiday markets, artistic nativity scenes in every church, and medieval concerts.(Planet of Nativity Scenes in San Pellegrino is pure magic.)

✨ Lesser-Known but Unmissable Festivals

Feast of the Madonna Liberatrice (late May)➔ Procession of brotherhoods in colorful cloaks — a slow dance of devotion.
Cavalcade of Saint Anthony in Vetralla (January)➔ A medieval parade of adorned horses and ancient banners.
Barabbata Festival in Marta (May)➔ The men of the lake carry offerings on their shoulders, dressed as ancient fishermen and farmers.