Local Festivals

January

• Epiphany, January 6
• Also a legal holiday in Italy (banks, stores and offices are closed), Epiphany commemorates the arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem. It also marks La Befana, Italy's traditional day of gift giving. The Befana is an old, witch-like woman who, like Santa Claus, knows whether children have been good or bad. Stockings are hung out on the night of the fifth, waiting to be filled by the Befana with sweets for the good and coal for naughty kids. This is also a day when all of Italy is glued to the television for the national lottery drawing (a modest 5 million euros).

February

• Carnevale
• With grand parades of floats through the city, Carnevale or Mardi Gras highlights. Bouncing off of the Catholic faith, the Tuesday before lent is celebrated in a lavish fashion to kick-off the 40 day fasting period.
• Festa di S. Antonino di Sorrento - Feb. 14th
• This celebration takes place on the day of the death of patron saint of Sorrento and all of Campagnia; Antonino. The holiday also coincides with Valentine's Day. The day is filled with processions along with music and family time. The procession in particular is a sight to behold as parishioners take out a statue made entirely out of silver out on the streets. Later on in the day, many piazzas open up with feasts much to the likes of what is expected for Martedì Grasso or Mardi Gras.

March

• Le Processioni

Starting from March 29th and 30th there are two grand processions that take place right within the city center. Hundreds of Sorrentines gather together in the night while the white and black hooded parishioners march through the streets. On Thursday night, paraders walk down the street solemnly commemorating the Virgin Mary's search for her son Jesus, as the Catholic faith professes. As frightening as they may seem, there is no firmly reviewed connection between the participant's uniforms and the Ku Klux Klan. The next night, on Good Friday, there is another march through the streets of Sorrento only this time the people in the procession are wearing black to commemorate the passion of the Christ the day he was crucified.

May

• Pasqua

Or in English known as Easter, Italians indeed do not have an Easter bunny instead the holiday is spent with primarily with friends and family and a visit to church. Within the Christian faith, this is the day celebrated when Jesus Christ resurrected from the grave on the third day after he was crucified.

August

• Ferragosto, August 15

On Ferragosto, it is common for Italians across the country to take a holiday. This day coincides with the of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary along with the beginning of summer vacation for students. Long weekends are typically spent with friends and family accompanied with fireworks in town centers. Great time of year for watermelon and figs!