Feast of the Epiphany: as a predominantly catholic country, Italians like to place some importance on the celebration of the Epiphany. Citizens of Pisa are no exception to the rule following national traditions and religious observances.

Carnival: celebrated in Pisa as well as other cities across the country, Carnival actually begins in the middle of January and runs until 'Martedi Grasso' which is the day before Ash Wednesday. expect a variety of events including parades and street parties.

Festa della donne: on the 8th of the month, the women of Pisa join with those from the rest of the country in celebrating ‘Woman’s Day’. Females get to take the day off and are given bunches of Mimosa before being taken to restaurants across the city for honorary meals.

Easter: as a Roman Catholic country, Italy celebrates Easter with religious enthusiasm marking holy days such as Good Friday and Easter Sunday with trips to church and family gatherings.

Mother’s Day: Pisa celebrates Mother’s Day with the same enthusiasm that the day is given in the rest of the country. Offspring shower le mamme with gifts, chocolates and flowers before gathering the family for a special Sunday lunch in her honour.

Festa di San Ranieri/ Luminaria: this annual festival is held on 16 and 17 June and is dedicated to San Ranieri who is the city’s patron saint. All over the centre of Pisa, candles are lit with some 70,000 in total lighting up locations such as the Arno River and the Leaning Tower. Boat racing is enjoyed on the river on the 17th.

Gioco del Ponte: held on the last Sunday of June, the river Arno comes alive with the frantic activity of boat races between Tramontana and Mezzogiorno. Back on dry land, folk don traditional costumes and a total of 12 teams assemble to engage in an exciting cart pushing contest.

Pistoia Blues: held in the neighbouring city of Pistoia, this annual music festival comes with a very loose blues theme and in previous years has included famous artists such as Deep Purple, Van Morrison, Patti Smith, Ry Cooder and Jethro Tull.

Vinaria Wine Festival: in the small town of Montecarlo, near Lucca, one of Pisa’s neighbouring towns; enthusiastic wine aficionados assemble to taste the products of local winemakers. Food and other local produce are also available for sampling.

Palio of the Ancient Marine Republic: this festival, which has been celebrated since 1955, is held in commemoration of the ancient rivalry between Pisa and other Mediterranean cities such as Genoa, Amalfi and Venice. Races are held on the river with each boat carrying eight rowers and each team represented by their own colours. Each of the four cities takes turn to host this event, hence it comes to Pisa once every four years (2010 will be the next Pisa staging).

The International Festival of Holy Music: held at the cathedral at Piazza dei Miracoli, this annual event is the most important of its kind in Italy and sees performances of holy music by some of the country’s top choir and symphonies.

The Lucca Comic Festival: held in neighbouring Lucca, this annual event sees collectors of rare comic assemble to sell, display and discuss their prized pieces. Artists from popular comic productions are also known to make appearances at this highly popular event.

Pisa Vini: this yearly exhibition is one which is dedicated to the celebration of wine production in the Pisa province. Held at the Convent of Santa Croce, if offers attendees the chance to sample some of the finest local vintages alongside some locally prepared gourmet foods.

Christmas: the festive season is enjoyed in Pisa with the religious slant that it deserves but also no shortage of joviality, merriment and self-indulgence.