1st January
philarmonic concert of the Rossini orchestra in “Chiesa della Prepositura”
first days of year
festivals in the districts of Castel del Piano
6th January – Epiphany
old women bring presents for children in the village centre
17th January
feast of Sain Antonio Abate: blessing of animals in “Piazza della Madonna”
20th January
big open air market thrughout the village
3rd Monday after Eastern
big open air market thrughout the village
4th weekend of May in the hamlet of Montenero
lasagna (baked macaroni with cheese and tomato sauce) festival
4th Sunday of every month from May to October
antique market in “Piazza Garibaldi”
3rd Sunday of July
“race to the top of Monte Amiata”: a full-day demanding itinerary in the woods from Castel del Piano to the top of Monte Amiata (lunch pause)
14th August
traditional philarmonic concert of the Rossini orchestra in “Piazza Garibaldi”
8th September “Palio delle Contrade”
Since 1400 there is a horse race between the contrade, the village quarters, which takes place in Piazza Garibaldi. Fireworks follow.
9th September
big open air market thrughout the village
at the end of September in the hamlet of Montegiovi
bruschetta festival
1st weekend of October
chesnut festival in the historical centre, gastronomic market and shows
8th December “Cantine Aperte”
free entrance in the cellars of the historical centre. Wine and typical product tastings
Christmas
Santa Klaus brings sweets for children in the village. Philarmonic concert of the Rossini Orchestra in “Piazza della Madonna”
28th December
Presepe vivente, the re-enactment of the Nativity Scene.
31st December
burning torch in Piazza Garibaldi to say goodbye the old year. Vin brulé and mistletoe are offered.
Recommended weekend get-aways
If you are an event lover, you should choose one of these weekends which offer many occasions to know this territory and its valuable heritage through the festivals…
7th-8th-9th September
Day 1: trip to Pienza to partecipate in the “Cacio Festival” with games and shows. Pienza is renowned for the production of this cheese. Than guided tour of the medieval town and of a historical producer to see the production of cheese.
Day 2: visit to Castel del Piano and partecipation in the “Palio delle Contrade“, the main traditional event of this medieval town. Dinner at a local restaurant to try typical products. After dinner, you can admire the fireworks which close this village festival.
Day 3: walking tour in Castel del Piano to go shopping in the big open air market. In the afternoon excursion to Casole d’Elsa (Siena) where you can partecipate in the porcino mushroom festival and try traditional recipes with delicious mushrooms picked in the woods near Siena.
1st weekend of October
Day 1: visit Castel del Piano and partecipate in the Chesnut Festival held in the historical centre. You can try typical products in the gastronomic market. You will enter immediately in a fantastic atmosphere of a medieval town, that discovers again the recipes of the main product of its territory.
Day 2: excursion to Monteriggioni (Siena) to partecipate in the Autumn Festival, at the same time both a sacred and profane festival. You can discover local cuisine and traditions. You can see the pressing of the grapes which is a propitiatory ritual for a good grape harvest. Visit this village enclosed by walls, which only has 42 inhabitants and 11 towers.
Day 3: day tour of Montalcino, a medieval town sorrounded by vineyards. It is famous for the production of the renowned red wines called “Rosso di Montalcino” and “Brunello di Montalcino”. Today there is the “young cock festival“, one of the main festivals in the territory of Siena. It is an invitation to spend a day in the pure countryside with the nature, the hospitality of people and a wholesome cuisine. You can try the roast free-range chicken which is the main dish of this festival.
8th-9th-10th December
Day 1: visit to Castel del Piano and to “cantine aperte” (literally, open wine-cellars). You can visit the cellars of the historical centre, get to know the production of wine through a guided tour and then enjoy a wine-tasting.
Day 2: excursion to Torrita di Siena to partecipate in the “Vinsanto Festival“. Vinsanto is a sweet wine typical of this area of Tuscany. Tastings, exhibitions, street artists and jugglers.
Day 3: explore the splendid Siena with the colours and lights of the Christmas atmosphere. It is a town of artistic interest which has one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy: Piazza del Campo. In the town centre there is the Christmas market, which offers a wide range of products.
