Le Marche plays host to a huge range of annual events and has a very rich cultural calendar. Festivals range from international classical music seasons, through to village sagre to celebrate local delicacies from truffles and wines through to polenta and onions.  These festivals see the transformation of small towns with decorations, music, exhibitions and the opportunity to eat, drink and socialise.

We've selected a list of favourites below to help you plan your visit, but also look out for the posters on town notice boards advertising other festivals as you explore the region - everyone is welcome!

 Date  Festival  Location
May Gubbio 'Ceri' Festival Gubbio

 

Dating back to the 12th Century, this historic festival takes place on May 15th annually, and features a race between representatives of three guilds, each bearing huge candles dedicated to their respective patron saints, which are carried aloft as the teams race through the narrow streets of the medieval town to the cheers of the thousands of spectators. For further information, please click here.

 

July Sagra di Polenta Corinaldo

 

This food festival, set in the beautiful walled town of Corinaldo and featuring medieval costumes and dishes including polenta, takes place in the third week of July and celebrates the townsfolk's survival in a siege as a result of their polenta supplies. For further information, please click here. 
July/Aug Macerata Open Air Opera Season Macerata

Situated in the magnificient and dramatic setting of the open-air Sferisterio Arena in Macerata, this annual festival features a varied and interesting programme of operatic events. For further information and tickets, please click here.

August Rossini Opera Festival Pesaro

One of Le Marche's most famous sons, Gioachino Rossini was born in Pesaro in 1792. This annual festival celebrates his masterpieces, which include works such as 'William Tell' and 'The Barber of Seville. For further information and tickets, please click here .
September Festa della Cipolla Castelleone di Suasa 
 

 This lovely festival, which takes place in the nearby town of Castelleone di Suasa on the first weekend of September, celebrates one of the most important crops for the 'Castelleonesi' (onion growers). It features music, dancing, a small craft market and the opportunity to taste a plethora of onion bases culinary specialities.
October La Notte degli Sprevengoli Ostra & Corinaldo
 

 These two Hallowe'en festivals held in the final week of October and set in spookily atmospheric medieval cities close to Barchi see the entire town decorated with ghostly apparations, children in full hallowe'en costumes, and the opportunity to drink and dine within the cellars and arches of town.

  
 November  Fieri Nazionale del Tartufo  Aqualagna
 

 This festival, held in the self-proclaimed truffle capital of Aqualagna takes place in early November and is a large event celebrating that rare and fragrant delicacy - the white truffle (the town hosts a second festival in February celebrating the less rare black truffle). Acqualagna is transformed into a gourmand's paradise with the opportunity to taste a variety of truffle-based dishes from the stands in the town square and visit the huge exhibitor tent, containing a broad range of other regional delicacies such as honey, cured meats and local breads.