JANUARY
La Befana
In Barga and in its surrounding villages there is a very strong tradition of the “Befana” a sweet old lady from the mountains that replaces Father Christmas and brings presents to the children on the eve of the Epiphany. For the occasion many groups dress up and go around the town singing the typical “Befana” song. During the day and in the evening of the 5th of January Barga hosts two traditional feasts, one for children and one for adults. A fascinating period not to be missed. The following day families flock to her cottage in the middle of chestnut trees in Pegnana.
FEBRUARY
The Baccanale
Usually takes place the last weekend of February or beginning of March. The Carnival is celebrated here on a Saturday afternoon with a party for children in the new part of Barga and one in the evening for adults in Fosso square.
APRIL
The 25th of April Walk – The anniversary of “Liberation Day” on the 25th of April is celebrated with a walk from Barga to the beautiful mountain town of Sommocolonia where you can eat, drink and listen to music all day.
MAY
May Day in Fornaci – The 1st of May is the National May Day holiday and in Fornaci di Barga it is the day of the largest expo in the Serchio Valley that attracts thousands of visitors thanks to the different exhibition sectors and a multicoloured festival of flowers. In 2021 the event will celebrate the 60th edition and will be held on 1st and 2 nd of May 2021.
JULY
Le Piazzette Festival – Usually held from mid-July to 25th of July. The historical centre is animated by the “Piazzette”. The squares of the antique castle become a beautiful open-air stage with good music, good food and drink and lots of “movida”. Not to be missed.
Opera Barga – From the beginning of July to the beginning of August Barga hosts different musical appointments of the famous international festival. Opera Barga is specialised in the discovery of Baroque music and proposes other Classical music concerts that are part of the projects “Piano Barga” and “Musica nei Borghi”. “Fornaci in canto”
On the last weekend of July, Fornaci holds the National Singing Competition “Fornaci in canto” that in over ten years has brought to the lights many talented young singers of Italian music.
AUGUST
Barga Jazz
After mid-August, even though there are some interesting previews at the beginning of the month, the Barga Jass Festival takes place in the historical centre of Barga and around the town. For over thirty years the Festival has proposed an original arrangement and composition competition for Jazz orchestras and has hosted many concerts with the participation of many famous Jazz musicians. One of the most lively events is BargaINJazz with music in the streets and squares of the old town of Barga that normally takes place on the first Sunday after the 15th of August. Homage evening to Pascoli – The 10th of August in Castelvecchio Pascoli is a special evening: it is the magical evening that Giovanni Pascoli (who spent here the last years of his life) describes in the intense poem “X Agosto”. The enchanting atmosphere of the beautiful gardens of the house-museum is the accomplice of this splendid evening dedicated to the Poet for over 30 years. Every year it is enriched by important theatre and film actors and excellent musicians that blend music and poetry in an unforgettable evening.
SEPTEMBER
Barga Scottish Week
Between the first and second weekend of September the Barga Scottish Week is held in the historical centre and other parts of the town with events, Scottish market, special dinners dedicated to Scotland and the relationship between Barga and Scotland. In the same week there is also the Barga School of Scots Music, Song and Dance organised by the well-known artist of Scottish and Gaelic music Hamish Moore with the splendid jam sessions in the squares of Barga.
NOVEMBER
Barga Castagna
Between the end of October and beginning of November the town hosts “Barga Castagna” homage to the tradition of the chestnut and chestnut flour, that used to be considered the main dish of Barga mountains. Conferences, chestnut maker competition, tasting of traditional dishes made from chestnuts and chestnut flour are the main ingredients of this beautiful Autumn festival.
