Festa della Repubblica (Jun 2)
FestivalFreeItaly's national day — a military parade on Via dei Fori Imperiali in Rome (past the Colosseum), the Quirinale Palace opens to the public, and the Frecce Tricolori aerobatic team flies over. Public holiday.
Calcio Storico, Florence
SportFestivalFlorence's brutal medieval football match — part rugby, part MMA, part football in Renaissance costume. Three matches in Piazza Santa Croce culminating on June 24 (San Giovanni, Florence's patron saint). Spectacular and violent.
Ravello Festival
MusicClassical music concerts on a clifftop stage 350m above the Amalfi Coast. The main venue (Villa Rufolo gardens) has the sea and sky as a backdrop. Running since 1953 — one of Europe's most beautiful concert settings.
Festa di San Giovanni, Turin & Florence
FestivalFreeTurin's patron saint day features bonfires on the Po River. Florence combines the Calcio Storico final with fireworks over the Arno. Both cities throw spectacular free celebrations.
Estate Romana
MusicArtFreeRome's summer programme: outdoor cinema, concerts on the Tiber island, jazz in gardens, and theatre in ancient ruins. Hundreds of events, many free. The city comes alive after dark.
Plan around
Calcio Storico in Florence for raw spectacle. Ravello Festival for sublime beauty. June is when Italy turns up the volume.