CORTONA MAIN EVENTS
MOST RELEVANT EVENTS IN TOWN
Cortona, known for its rich cultural heritage, hosts several events throughout the year, with the most important and significant taking place from spring to fall. These events are popular because they reflect the town’s traditions, customs, and beliefs. Some notable events include the “Sagra della Bistecca”, a steak festival featuring the largest wire rack in Italy, the “Joust of Archidado”, a historical re-enactment of medieval games and parade, and the “Mostra Antiquaria”, an antique fair.
CHRISTMAS IN CORTONA 2023
From 30 November to 7 January
CHRISTMAS IN CORTONA 2023
From November 25th to January 6th
From November 25 in Cortona the Christmas lights, the big tree and the lights will turn on. In addition, there will be shows and entertainment that will create an evocative atmosphere, with street performers and musicist. From Saturday 26 open the markets in the three squares of Cortona, an offer that reinforces the commercial offer of the historic center; many activities have chosen to focus on this event to promote artisanal products and food and wine excellence.
PROGRAM 2023
Christmas in Cortona 2023
Thursday 30 November 2023
9.00 pm
Manzini talks about Schiavone “The most famous Deputy Commissioner in Italy”, told by his author. Edited by “Walking with the writer”. Reservation required at Tel. 327 605 4375
S. Agostino Center
Cortona
Saturday 2 December 2023
5.00 pm
Parade with street artists and luminous butterflies – Company “I Sogni della FeniceOld Town
Cortona
Saturday 2 December 2023
Memory of Giovan Battista Tommasi Grand Master of the Order of Malta and Mayor of Cortona in 1799
City Council Hall
Cortona
Sunday 3 December 2023
10.00 am
Adopt a Pigotta – Organized by SPI CGIL and Unice
Old Town
Cortona
Sunday 3 December 2023
4.00 pm
Special performance by the Historical Group and Flag-wavers of the city of Cortona
Old Town
Cortona
Tuesday 5 December 2023
9.00 pm
Theatrical season “Callas Callas Callas” – Opus Ballet Company
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
Thursday 7 December 2023
9.00 pm
TOSCA CorOrchestra organized by “Friends of Cortona music” and “Italian Opera Company of Florence”
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
8 December 2023
January 2, 2024
Collective Photographic Exhibition: “The Place of the Heart, a place is never just that place, that place is also a bit of us
Cloister of S. Agostino
Cortona
8 – 26 December 2023
Christmas in art, Art Exhibition, Ass. Cult organization. Minotaur
S. Agostino Center
Cortona
Friday 8 December 2023
4.00 pm
Nativity in the Square – Pietraia living nativity scene
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
Saturday 9 December 2023
6.00 pm
Christmas musical – Summer winter company
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
Sunday 10 December 2023
3.00 pm
Buon Sollazzo Engineering – Old time games for children
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
Sunday 10 December 2023
10.30am
Eleiva Cortonensis awards ceremony – Cortona oil competition
Council Hall
Cortona
Sunday 10 December 2023
3.00 pm
Sundays at the Museum – Pietro Matracch
Medici Hall
Cortona
Friday 15 December 2023
9.00 pm
Christmas Concert – Tuscan Regional Orchestra
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
Saturday 16 December 2023
10.00 am
Montessori in Cooking and Practical Life – Dr. Cristina Venturi–
S. Agostino Center
Cortona
Saturday 16 December 2023
5.00 pm
Christmas in memories – “Gente di Santamarinova” Company
Signorelli Theater Loggias
Cortona
Saturday 16 December 2023
6.00 pm
Archaeologies, Conference of the University of Alberta, guest Dr. Paolo Giulierini
MAEC Medici Salon
Cortona
Saturday 16 December 2023
9.00 pm
Cortonese Philharmonic Concert
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
Sunday 17 December 2023
09.30 am
Proloco Cortona – Aps and Calcit Valdichiana: charity event called “A network of colours…for Life”.
Old Town
Cortona
Sunday 17 December 2023
2.30pm
A day of magic in Terontola
City Center
Terontola
Sunday 17 December 2023
4.00 pm
Snowfall in the square
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
Sunday 17 December 2023
4.00 pm
Inauguration of the photographic exhibition “Coltures & Cultures: images of Cortonese peasant life in the 1950s”
Casali Palace
Cortona
Sunday 17 December 2023
5.00 pm
Presentation of Duilio Peruzzi’s book “Colture & Culture. Study and images of Cortonese peasant life in the 1950s”
MAEC Medicean Hall
Cortona
Sunday 17 December 2023
6.30pm
David Boldrini: Concert at the Cathedral Organ. Municipality of Cortona and Association of Historical Organs. Free entry
Cathedral of S. M. Assunta
Cortona
Saturday 23 December 2023
4.00 pm
Sheep Dog Show – Mattia Monacchini
Piazza Signorelli
Cortona
Sunday 24 December 2023
2.30pm
District Market
Old Town
Cortona
Tuesday 26 December 2023
5.00 pm
Entertainment FIRE AND LIGHT EXHIBITIONS – “I dreams of the Fenice” Company
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
Thursday 28 December 2023
9.00 pm
Gospel concert
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
Friday 29 December 2023
9.00 pm
Emmea Teatro Company – Show “Don Milani without Myth”
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
Cortona Christmas
www.cortonanatale.it
“Lights and Reflections”
Let yourself be enveloped by the magic of Christmas…
Cortona awaits you!
Sunday 31 December 2023
10.00 pm
New Year’s Eve in the Square
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
Monday 01 January 2024
10.00 am
Breakfast at the MAEC Museum
Piazza Signorelli
Cortona
Monday 01 January 2024
5.00 pm
New Year’s Concert – CorOrchestra
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
Friday 05 January 2024
9.00 pm
“Ciak si canta” – “Team Susy” show
Signorelli Theatre
Cortona
Saturday 06 January 2024
4.00 pm
“Procession of the Three Kings” organized by the Lions Club Valdichiana Host, the Lay Dominican Fraternity “Beato Pietro Capucci” of Cortona, the Piccolo Teatro Città di Cortona and the Council of Terzieri.
Church of S. Domenico
Cortona
Saturday 06 January 2024
6.00 pm
Arrival of the Befana
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
Sunday 07 January 2024
5.00 pm
Special performance by the Historical Group and Flag Throwers of the city of Cortona
Piazza della Repubblica
Cortona
The «Christmas of Stars» initiatives will involve the associative, cultural and economic fabric of the center and the villages of Cortona. The program is directed by Cortona Sviluppo with the contribution of the Municipality of Cortona, the sponsors and the active collaboration of operators and local entities.
Antique market
The fourth Sunday of the month
The fourth Sunday of the month inside the city walls, in Piazza Signorelli takes place the antique market of Cortona, The markets are scheduled from 9.00 at 20.00 in Piazza Signorelli. Among the various stalls used items, collectibles and modern. The market hosts about 50 exhibitors.
Info line
tel. 0575 62984
infocortona@apt.arezzo.it
PROCESSION OF THE HOLY FRIDAY NIGHT
7 April 2023
From 09.00 pm starts the Saint procession followed by his faithful and its ancient Saints. The procession will travel across all the main streets and squares of the town ending around 12.00 pm at the Cathedral (The Duomo) (Please bring candles with you). The Good Friday is the Friday before the Christian Easter. On this day Christians commemorate the passion and crucifixion of Jesus Christ. This anniversary is observed with special practices and rituals by the faithful of many Christian denominations.
The next day (on Saturday) at the Duomo (the Cathedral) of Cortona at 11:00 pm the Easter Vigil begins the night of the Resurrection with the blessing of fire, the candle, at 11.00 pm will start the traditional “Flight of the Christ” in Piazza del Duomo. The Holy Mass and the ritual as tradition will be accompanied by the Choir Zefferini ending around 01.00 am.
FLOWER COPPER FAIR AND COCK
30 April – 1 May 2023
Fiera del rame del fiore e del coccio is the traditional copper, flower and earthenware fair in Cortona with numerous exhibitors, both local and from various Italian regions, who will exhibit their goods in worked copper thanks to their creativity, industriousness and professionalism. The fair will animate the historic center of Cortona in particular Piazza Signorelli and via Casali which will turn into a welcoming garden full of flowers and ornamental plants. An excellent opportunity to stroll through the alleys and squares in a suggestive atmosphere.
Joust of Archidado
The Archidado Joust traces its origins back to the Middle Ages and was officially created in 1397 to celebrate the wedding of Francesco Casali, the Lord of Cortona, and Antonia Salimbeni, a noble woman from Siena. In the city of Cortona, this historical event is recalled every year on the second Sunday of June, when people are lead back to the ancient medieval splendor of the city. The streets are decorated in medieval style, ladies, knights, flag flyers, crossbow shooters, soldiers, pages, civil and religious authorities, all dressed with fine costumes, liven up the city center, which is rich in history and artistic beauties of every time.
FULL PROGRAM 2023
500 SIGNORELLI
23 June – 22 October
MASTER LUCA DA CORTONA PAINTER OF LIGHT AND POETRY
Luca Signorelli, 500 years after his death, returns to the protagonist in his hometown.
Cortona celebrates the artist who was a “beacon for the greatest of the Renaissance”, with a refined exhibition that retraces the master’s pictorial parable, alongside thematic itineraries in the city and in the Tuscan-Umbrian localities of reference.
In October 1523 Luca “old and affected by perletico” ends his days and on the five hundredth anniversary of his death Cortona – the hometown to which Signorelli was always linked, also holding numerous public offices despite travels and repeated distances – will shed new light on the the artist, with a very precious exhibition “Signorelli 500. Maestro Luca da Cortona, painter of light and poetry” promoted by the Municipality of Cortona by the MAEC–Museum of the Etruscan Academy and by the City of Cortona under the aegis of the National Committee for the celebrations instituted by the MIC, organized by Villaggio Globale International and curated by Tom Henry, leading expert on the subject, professor emeritus at the University of Kent and former Director of the School of Classical and Renaissance Studies at the English University of Rome.
During this festival are various sacred concerts in the city of Cortona with the main purpose is to announce to the city and to all those visiting the gospel of hope, fostering dialogue between the values of faith and culture traits tending to the enhancement of the extraordinary resources available.
Website cortonacristiana.it
“We Are Humans” is the theme of Cortona On The Move 2021. We are all protagonists: human beings take centerstage once again, in they daily life, relationships, affections and shared experiences and values. A tribute to the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of our human condition between intimate and public dimension.
Website cortonaonthemove.com
Kilowatt Festivall
11 – 15 July 2023
19 – 23 July 2023
Founded in 2003, on the initiative of the CapoTrave theater company, the festival is directed by playwrights Lucia Franchi and Luca Ricci, the latter also director.
The festival focuses on the research and innovation of scenic languages, hosting and co-producing contemporary theater, dance, music and circus performances, as well as multidisciplinary formats, favoring the mixing of the arts. From the first edition to today, more than 450 groups and more than 2,400 artists, both Italian and international, have taken part in the event, who have created more than 750 replicas of 600 different shows.
18th European Festival of Folk Music and Dance
12 August 2023
Folkloristic dances with groups from Russia, Spain, Lithuania, in addition to the organizer “Il Cilindro” Company
Hours
Start From 09:00 pm
Where: Piazza Signorelli
FREE ADMISSION
SAGRA DELLA BISTECCA – Steak Festival
12 to 15 of August 2023
La Sagra della Bistecca (Steak Festival) is one of the most important gastronomic in the area, and is held every year at the gardens of the Parterre (public gardens of Cortona). In a wire rack giant 14 meters (the largest in Italy) are cooked T-bone steaks, strictly Chianina meat, cooked in blood, according to an old Tuscan tradition. In addition to side dishes, bread and fruit menu includes excellent Chianti wines Cortona or the Doc, great to accompany our meat. At the “Sagra della Bistecca” will find not only steaks but also gastronomic stands with typical Tuscan products and Cortonesi.
Opening time
from 6pm to 11pm
Telephone: +39 0575 630352
Email: info@comunedicortona.it
SAGRA DEL FUNGO PORCINO
19 – 20 August 2023
The festival of “porcini mushroom” is held in Cortona every year in August at the Parterre Gardens, where the fresh mushrooms from Trentino are protagonists of every dish, from appetizers to side dishes. All accompanied by the excellent local wine.
The festival start from 6.00pm to 11.00pm. Book tables is not possible. Usually this festival is not too busy so don’t panic, just make sure to be at least one hour in advance before the closing.
CORTONA ANTIQUARIA 61 Ediction
An event of great importance for the Italian antiquities market, and an extraordinary longevity which makes it one of the most prestigious events in Italy. It is, in fact, since that day in 1963 that Cortona continuously between the end of August and beginning of September, lives immersed in antiques, serving as a point of reference for many lovers of art collecting.
Buskers & Food Truck Festival which is proposed as the first and only format in Italy that combines all the street excellences: Gourmet Food, Street Artists and Urban Market.
CortonArt Festival 2023 will take shape throughout the historic center of Cortona and in the Parterre Gardens, for four days, with an explosive mix of street artists, food trucks, craft beers, shows, entertainment and much more that will frame the four days pure fun:
Food truck
Beers on tap
Urban market
Attractions for children
Street artists and live music
The Chocolate Festivals
Cooking shows, tastings, chocolate lessons for adults and workshops for children and courses to learn about chocolate, from the cocoa bean to the finished chocolate. Come and visit us at our Chocolate Factory in the main squares of Italy!
For more than ten years we have been organizing artisanal chocolate festivals in the most beautiful squares in Italy, a consolidated formula that brings the art of master chocolatiers and the culture of artisanal chocolate to the squares with our traveling chocolate factory.
10 ATTRACTIONS
ONE DAY IN CORTONA
EVENTS
TOURS & ACTIVITIES