Events in Pisa, Italy

Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics

Regata delle Antiche Repubbliche Marinare is a sportive event with a historic signification. Started in 1955 under the patronage of the Italian President, this event symbolizes the rivalry of the 4 city-states: Genova, Venetia, Pisa and Amalfi. This event is held every year by the 4 cities by rotation. The race is preceded by a parade in which the people that participate wear clothes of ancient characters that characterize each republic.

Santallago Summer Splash

Santallago Summer Splash is the first edition of black music festival that takes place in the vicinity of Pisa, in the city of Lucca. The genders of music that will play at this festival will vary between reggae and ska. Besides the purpose of presenting good quality music, this festival wants to create a peace and bonding atmosphere between the Italian and the foreign, mostly the African community.

Metarock

Metarock is a International Music festival that takes place every year in Pisa. This is a place where famous artists and bands as well as newcomers on the musical stage gather.

Capodanno Pisano

Capodanno Pisano is a celebration that marks the beginning of the New Year. Pisa is the first and only city that celebrates the New Year 9 months before the official calendar date. This celebration dates from the old Pisan calendar that was officially until 1749, when, by grand ducal edict the Gregorian calendar was adopted. The celebrations of the New Year begin on the midday of 25 March with a historical parade that leads to the Cathedral, where a mass and a solemn proclamation of the New Year are held.

Perle Musicali in San Francesco

The Perle Musicali in San Francesco is very important music festival in Pisa and the Toscana Region. The rich calendar of this event include: classical music, jazz, orchestra, choirs and singer-songwriters. The purpose of this festival is to offer to the audience good quality music to suit all tastes. An addition to this event is that beginning with 2010 the public will get to meet with the artists and the artists will talk about themselves, their instruments and the music that they play. This festival takes place between 10th of March and 20th of June in San Francesco de' Ferri, a church first mentioned in 1233.

Luminara di San Ranieri

Luminara di San Ranieri is a religious celebration that is held every year on the 16th of June, in the eve of San Ranieri who is also the patron saint of the city. The first celebration of the Luminata took place on the 25th of March 1688 and celebrated the placing of urn with the remains of Ranieri degli Scaccieri in the Duomo di Pisa. The procesion starts with the lighting of seventy thousand candles and hanging them from the white painted wooden frames. The purpose of this procession is to emphasize the outlines of the buildings, bridges, churches and towers. Hundreds of candles are places on the water and float down the Arno river.

San Ranieri historical regatta

San Ranieri historical regatta is a race that takes place in Pisa during the celebration of San Ranieri, on 17th of June. The 4 boats that participate in this regatta represent the 4 ancient districts of Pisa: San Martino, Saint Antonio, Santa Maria and San Francesco. The race starts upstream the railway bridge and ends in front of the Palazzo Medici. This regatta is not only about the race between the boats, the rules of this contest state that the winning team is the one whose climber climbs faster on a 10 meter high mast to grab the “paliotto” or flag.

Battle of the Bridge

On the last Sunday of June, in Pisa takes place a very impressive event, the so called The Battle of the Bridge (Gioco del Ponte). The team from the southern part of the city (Mezzogiorno) and the team from the northern part (Tramontana) are the two teams who participate at this event. The Battle of the Bridge is made up from two moments; a parade with over 700 participants and the battle of the Ponte di Mezzo. The winner of the battle is declared the team that manages to push the cart and the opponents to the opposing end of the sliding rail

Pisa Marathon

Pisa is the host of a yearly sportive event, namely the International Pisa Marathon. Although this marathon was usually held in May this year the marathon will be held in December in the 19th. The participants will run between Pontedera and Piazza dei Miracoli in Pisa. This sportive event consists of three categories: the marathon (42.195 km), the half-marathon (21.097 km) and Happy Christmas Family Run (where the participants will run dressed up like Santa Claus).