FERRAGOSTO:
Location: All of Italy
Date: Friday, August 15th
Assumption Day – This is the day that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken up and assumed into heaven. This national holiday virtually shuts down all of Italy. For example, Milan loses from 65% to 75% of its permanent residents to the beaches and mountains despite recent advertising campaigns that tiredly recite the catchphrase 'Milan remains open'. Also, since it falls on a Tuesday this year, the Monday in-between is treated as a ponte (bridge) holiday and retail stores and public services stay closed.

PALIO DEI CASTELLI:
Location: Badia Tedalda, Arezzo
Date: Saturday, August 23rd & Sunday, August 24th.
A medieval event of mega proportions with open-air barbeque pits, knights in armor that run lancing tournaments to the thrill of roaring crowds, wandering minstrels in costumes, markets and food galore. Everything is created to be a replica of how things were centuries ago down to the tiniest detail, including special coins that are minted for the occasion and are used as legal tender during this festive weekend.

BRAVIO DELLE BOTTI:
Location: Montepulciano, Siena
Date: Sunday, August 30th
The origins of this odd wine barrel race can be traced back to documents of law written first in the year 1372. Eight contrade (neighborhoods) each enter two well-trained men who roll 150-pound wine barrels through (and mainly up) 1.65 kilometers of cobble stoned streets to the finish line, which is in the 'Piazza Grande'. The course winds its way through all of the neighborhoods where the streets are lined with excited residents who cheer their own men and jeer the rest. This, of course, calls for drink, dance and ample merriment which remains in conspicuous abundance for the week before the race. On the last Thursday of August (preceding the actual race), there is a solemn procession of residents carrying large candles throughout the city in a unifying ceremony that blesses the participants.

VINARIA:
Location: Montecarlo, Lucca
Date: From the last weekend in August to the first week of September.
Wine Festival - the name of this festival is misleading because it is most certainly not limited to wine. Every night in either the Wine-Tasting Center or the Olive Oil Center at 9:00 PM there are tastings of delectable locals wines, foreign and domestic cheeses, and olive oil, as well as fashion shows, films about wine and many other creative ways to celebrate 'la dolce vita'.