True Tuscany
Cortona Summer Events 2023
Updated: May 31
Cortona is one of the more famous towns in Tuscany, known for Frances Mayes book 'Under the Tuscan Sun' . The walled medieval hilltop town has stunning views, Renaissance era cathedrals, Etruscan cultural roots, and of course great food and wine. It is located about a 20 minute drive from the B&B and is always full of life during the high season. Check out all the events happening in 2023 below.
March 15: That’s Amore, Teatro Signorelli, 9pm. Marco Batti choreographer; Il Balletto di Siena.
March 17-19: Chianina & Syrah. Sant’Augustino. A fabulous final dinner last year!
May 27- June 4: Comics Cortona.
June 2-11: Archidado, A Medieval Week. Always festive. Watch for event schedule at local shops and restaurants.
June 2 - 4: Medieval market (10am to 10pm)
June 9: Flag Throwers & Games (9pm)
June 10: Ceremonies & events (915pm)
June 11: Medieval Games (11am); Jousting (4pm) ; Medieval dinner (8pm; reservations obligatory)
June 19-25: NUME Academy & Festival, Teatro Signorelli, Sant’Augustino. Acclaimed classical artists providing a rich calendar of concerts.
June 23 - September 24: Signorelli 500, MAEC. Cortona will be the center for Italy's celebration of the 500th year of Luca Signorelli's death. Will include paintings and other works loaned from museums around the world. This is an important, don’t miss event!
June 13 - October 1: Cortona On the Move. “MORE OR LESS” is 2023 theme. Held in various venues around Cortona, this is an important international photography show.
July 2-9: Musica Sacra — Sacred Music Festival. Concerts every evening in different locations.
July 19 - 23: Kilowatt Festival. Quote from organizers, “It is a centre for production and production support, it is a residence for contemporary creativity… it is a place that has also opened up to experimental music, contemporary literature and the visual arts.”
Ponte di Ferragosto, August 15: Sagra di Bistecca, Parterre: A grand weekend celebrating grilled Chianina steak and all the fixin’s.
August 19-20: Sagra di Fungi Porcini, Parterre. A grand weekend celebrating porcini mushrooms, with mushrooms prepared several different ways.
August 19 - September 3: Cortonantiquaria, Sant’Agostino. Internationally respected market of fine antiques from a variety of dealers.
End of August: Mercatale Sotto Le Stelle, all night festival with street drama, music, special activities for all ages.
September 7-10: CortonArt. Street food trucks, artisan vendors, typically in the Parterre.
October 6-7: Cauthament, Sant’Agostino, described as "Festival della Scienza”
November 25 - January 7: Natale a Cortona, Centro Storico. Concerts. Anyone who is lucky enough to have been here over the holidays knows there is always something fun going on