La Quintana

 
Quintana di Ascoli Piceno
Ascoli Piceno holds a medieval jousting
tournament, la Quintana, on the first Sunday in
August. A highlight of the festival is the
procession prior to the tournament with people
dressed in medieval costume. Following the
tournament, there's a procession celebrating the
winner and festivities that last late into the
night. Ascoli Piceno is in central Italy's Marche
region.
 San Biagio Festival

 Festival di San Biagio

San Biagio Day might not be one of Italy's
biggest festivals, but it's celebrated several
places in Italy. It gives you an idea of what a
typical festival looks like in southern Italy.
Avetrana is on the Salento Peninsula of Puglia,
the heel of Italy's boot.
 Festa della Madonna Bruna

 Anguskirk / Flickr / CC BY 2.0  

The Madonna Bruna festival, on July 2 in
Matera, is one of the most interesting
processions we've ever seen. The procession
has a surprise ending, and, late at night before
heading to your cave hotel, there's a spectacular
fireworks display over the Sassi of Matera. It's a
really beautiful sight.