Ascoli Piceno Events & Festivals

Ascoli Piceno’s event calendar revolves around food, medieval tradition, and Catholic feast days. The Quintana jousting tournament is the city’s defining event, drawing thousands of visitors on the first Sunday of August. But the fried food festival in April, the olive harvest celebration in November, and the winter Christmas markets each offer their own reason to plan a trip around a specific date. Here are the six major events with exact timing, locations, and what to expect.

Ascoli Piceno Events & Festivals: Quintana di Ascoli Piceno

The Quintana is the main event. Held on the first Sunday of August each year, it is a medieval jousting tournament where six knights representing the city’s six historic sestrieri (districts) gallop at full speed to spear a ring suspended from a wooden figure. The event dates to the 14th century and was revived in 1955. The main joust (Giostra della Quintana) takes place at Campo Squarcia stadium in the afternoon, but the highlight for most visitors is the morning Corteo Storico , a parade of 1,500 participants in handmade period costumes, flag-throwers, drummers, and riders on horseback processing from Piazza Arringo through the centro storico. A second Quintana is sometimes held in July (Quintana di Luglio, a night event). Tickets for the Campo Squarcia grandstand run 20 to 35 EUR; the parade through the streets is free to watch. Book accommodation by April.

Ascoli Piceno Events & Festivals: Fritto Misto

Fritto Misto (April, typically the last weekend, Thursday through Sunday) turns Ascoli into Italy’s fried food capital for four days. Over 50 stalls set up along the streets radiating from Piazza del Popolo, serving olive all’ascolana (the star, 5 to 7 EUR per cone), fried custard (crema fritta), fried artichokes, fried lamb chops, fried pizza dough, and fried desserts from across Italy’s regions. The event draws roughly 100,000 visitors over the four days. Wine and beer stalls accompany the food. Most plates cost 4 to 8 EUR. The festival is free to enter; you pay per dish. Arrive early (11am) to beat the lunch rush. April temperatures average 18 deg C (64 deg F) , pleasant for outdoor eating.

Ascoli Piceno Events & Festivals: Carnevale di Ascoli

Ascoli’s Carnival (two weekends before Ash Wednesday, typically mid-February) features parades of costumed groups, floats, and confetti-throwing along Corso Mazzini and Piazza del Popolo. Unlike the massive Viareggio or Venice carnivals, Ascoli’s is a local affair with a family atmosphere. The main parade happens on the Sunday before Shrove Tuesday, starting around 2:30pm. Marching bands and samba groups perform, and food stalls sell chiacchiere (fried pastry strips dusted in powdered sugar) and castagnole (fried dough balls). Free to attend. February temperatures average 9 to 11 deg C (48 to 52 deg F) , dress warmly. See also our Ascoli Piceno weather by month guide See also our where to stay in Ascoli Piceno guide.

Ascoli Piceno Events & Festivals: Festa di Sant’Emidio

The feast of Ascoli’s patron saint on August 5 includes a morning mass at the Cattedrale di Sant’Emidio attended by city officials in ceremonial dress, followed by an evening procession carrying the saint’s relics through the streets from the cathedral to the Tempietto di Sant’Emidio alle Grotte. The procession starts around 8pm and the route is lit by candles. It is a religious event rather than a tourist attraction, but the candle-lit streets and solemn atmosphere are striking. Fireworks close the evening around 11pm near the Castellano River. Free to observe. August 5 is a city holiday , many shops and some restaurants close. See also our best time to visit Ascoli Piceno guide See also our Ascoli Piceno travel tips guide.

Ascoli Piceno Events & Festivals: Mercatino dell’Antiquariato

The antique market (third weekend of every month, Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 7pm) fills the streets around Piazza del Popolo and Piazza Arringo with 100+ stalls selling vintage furniture, old books, jewelry, ceramics, coins, and paintings. Prices range from 5 EUR postcards to 2,000 EUR 18th-century chests. The March, May, September, and December editions are the largest. A good source for travertine mortar bowls (20 to 40 EUR) and antique olive oil bottles (15 to 30 EUR) that make distinctive souvenirs. Haggling is expected on items over 50 EUR , offer 20 percent less as a starting point. See also our things to do in Ascoli Piceno guide.

Ascoli Piceno Events & Festivals: Natale ad Ascoli (Christmas Market)

The Christmas market runs from the first weekend of December through January 6 (Epiphany) in Piazza Arringo. Around 30 wooden chalets sell local crafts (ceramics, travertine carvings, leather goods), seasonal food (roasted chestnuts, vin brulé at 3 EUR a cup), and Christmas decorations. A small ice skating rink (5 EUR for 30 minutes, skate rental included) operates in the square. The market is open daily 10am to 8pm, staying open until 10pm on Fridays and Saturdays. December temperatures average 10 deg C (50 deg F) by day, dropping to 2 deg C (36 deg F) by night , the mulled wine helps.

. See also our Ascoli Piceno neighborhoods guide.