# Calendimaggio, the medieval May festival

What to do en Assisi · Assisi

Fuente: https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/things-to-do/calendimaggio · Revisado: 2026-11-12

- Duración: 4 h
- Temporada: From the first Wednesday to the first Saturday after 1 May
- Para quién: Everyone

Spring medieval festival: the upper and lower parts of Assisi compete for the palio with processions, games and songs.

What it is and what you see
Calendimaggio is the festival with which Assisi welcomes spring, an Umbrian tradition that the town turns into four days of medieval competition. Assisi divides into two sides, the Nobilissima Parte de Sopra, the upper part, and the Magnifica Parte de Sotto, the lower, and the two compete for the palio with processions in period costume, recreations of medieval life, games, challenges and songs through the streets and in the Piazza del Comune. A jury of experts in history, music and performance, different each year, decides who wins, and its verdict is not disputed.
The festival is experienced on two scales. In the Piazza del Comune, the heart of the town, are the solemn ceremonies and the games, with a grandstand. Through the streets pass the processions, which enter and leave the square along Corso Mazzini and Piazza Santa Chiara.
When
It is held from the first Wednesday to the first Saturday after 1 May. In 2026 it ran from 6 to 9 May. The 2027 dates have not yet been announced on the official website; by that rule it would fall on 5 to 8 May, but confirm it before booking.
The programme, day by day
Using the 2026 edition as a guide:

Wednesday, the handing over of the keys. At 15:00 the banners are blessed: those of the Parte de Sotto in the upper Basilica of St Francis and those of the Parte de Sopra in the Cathedral of San Rufino. At 16:00, in the Piazza del Comune, choirs of both parts, investiture of the jury, entrance of the processions, return of the palio and flag-bearers of Assisi. In the evening, at 21:30, the Parte de Sotto presents its recreations of medieval life.
Thursday, Madonna Primavera. At 15:30, in the square, challenge games between the parts, with crossbowmen, a tregge (sledge) race and tug of war, to proclaim Madonna Primavera, who then parades. At 21:30, recreations by the Parte de Sopra.
Friday, the show. At 16:00, the Calendimaggio dei Piccoli in the square; at 21:30, the night procession, the Tenzone.
Saturday, the contest. At 15:30, entrance of the historic processions into the square; at 21:30, the song contest and the awarding of the palio.

Tickets and price
The grandstand in the Piazza del Comune is paid. In 2026 online sales opened on 24 March, with a pass for the four days, through the platform linked from the official website; animals are not allowed in the grandstand. The website does not publish which events are free of charge or the 2027 prices: write to calendimaggiodiassisi.tickets@gmail.com or check the news section when sales are announced.
Getting there and where to park
Assisi railway station is below, in Santa Maria degli Angeli, on the Foligno–Terontola line; from there you go up by bus. By car you arrive via the E45, Assisi exit. The historic centre is closed to unauthorised cars: park outside, for example in the paid car park at Piazza Matteotti, in the upper part. The Calendimaggio website does not publish road closures or special shuttles; bear in mind that the town fills up that week.
Practical tips
Book accommodation well in advance and, if you can, inside the walls: that way you see the night processions without depending on the car. If you don't have a grandstand seat, stand on Corso Mazzini or in Piazza Santa Chiara, where the processions leave the square. The streets of Assisi are steep and made of stone; with a pushchair, a baby carrier is better. On Friday afternoon, the Calendimaggio dei Piccoli is the event designed for children.
Make the most of the mornings, before the afternoon events, for the Basilica of St Francis, which opens at 6:00, or to climb up to the Rocca Maggiore.

## Cómo llegar y contacto

- Web: https://www.calendimaggiodiassisi.com/
- Coordenadas: 43.0705, 12.6175

## Cerca de aquí

- [Pasticceria Sensi](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/where-to-eat/pasticceria-sensi), a 124 m
- [Hotel Pallotta](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/where-to-stay/hotel-pallotta), a 149 m
- [Trattoria Pallotta](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/where-to-eat/trattoria-pallotta), a 226 m
- [La Locanda del Cardinale](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/where-to-eat/la-locanda-del-cardinale), a 268 m
- [Rocca Maggiore, the fortress above Assisi](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/things-to-do/rocca-maggiore), a 304 m
- [Giotto Hotel & Spa](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/where-to-stay/giotto-hotel-spa), a 717 m
- [Basilica of St Francis, the two churches and the crypt](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/things-to-do/st-francis-basilica-assisi), a 1.1 km
- [Hike from Assisi to the Eremo delle Carceri and the Croce di Sassopiano](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi/things-to-do/eremo-delle-carceri-hike), a 1.8 km

## Consejos

### Buy the grandstand as soon as sales open
In 2026 it went on sale at the end of March; follow the news on the official website.

### Choose Thursday or Saturday if you only have one day
Thursday is the Madonna Primavera games and Saturday the song contest and the palio.

### Sleep inside the walls
The evening events begin at 21:30 and the centre is closed to traffic.

## Preguntas frecuentes

### When is the Calendimaggio in Assisi?
From the first Wednesday to the first Saturday after 1 May. In 2026 it ran from 6 to 9 May; the 2027 dates have not yet been published.

### Do you have to pay?
The grandstand in the Piazza del Comune, yes: in 2026 a four-day pass was sold online. Check the official website for prices and which events are free to attend.

### Who wins the palio?
The Parte de Sopra or the Parte de Sotto, according to the verdict of a jury of experts that changes every year. It is awarded on Saturday night.

Destino: [Assisi](https://www.geocalia.com/en/italy/umbria/assisi.md)