Folklore events in September

In Florence, the Tuscan capital city, September 7 is the Feast of La Rificolona. Today, it is a celebration that mainly attracts children but it has centuries of history linked to the worship of the Virgin Mary (the next day, September 8, commemorates the Nativity of the Virgin Mary).

The Feast is based in the historic center, with its heart in Piazza Santissima Annunziata, where there is a church that is also a Marian sanctuary, to which the rural people once flocked for a local fair that took place there in the past.

We move westward, a short distance from Florence, to Signa. The Medieval Festival takes place In this little town during the first weekend in September (6 and 7 September, in 2024). 

Major events, costumed banquets, medieval market, the burning of the tower and fireworks. Everyone is involved; it is an all-inclusive celebration. The fire in the northern tower on the walls of the Castle of Signa dates back to 1397 and is spectacularly re-enacted every year.

Bagno a Ripoli, a few kilometers south of Florence, has its own palio: the Palio delle Contrade and Giostra della Stella, scheduled to take place on the second Sunday in September. Four contrade, or districts, competing for the much sought-after trophy: Alfiere (Standard Bearer), Cavallo (Horse), Mulino (Mill), Torre (Tower).

The festival is organized in two different stages: 
Games of yesteryear (tug-of-war, sack race, hoop or cart race) in which local youngsters participate, followed by the Joust, a spectacular "fight" on horseback, in which 4 horsemen spear the target - the star - cheered on by the supporters of each contrada.

An event that electrifies and captivates all residents of Impruneta, south of Florence: the Grape Festival, now at its 98th edition, is experienced by the whole population. 

The municipality, which has a wine-making vocation, celebrates its most precious fruit for almost an entire month, from September 1 through 29, when the show-parades take place. 
Competing for the prize, are the four Districts: Pallò, Sant’Antonio, Sante Marie, Fornaci. In the midst of all this there are dinners, events, tastings, sports, historic cars and whatever else the lively people of Impruneta can think of.

Rufina also celebrates the vine and its fruits: from September 26 to 29, Bacco Artigiano is a celebration of the vocation of the area where Chianti Rufina DOCG is produced.

The festival, held in late September, celebrates this tradition. The most curious event in these festive days is the Carro Matto (Crazy Cart), on which lots of straw-covered wine bottles are carefully piled. The ox-drawn cart travels to Florence where it receives the traditional blessing of the wine.

These gestures combine faith and tradition.