In the heart of central Italy, between the hills of Tuscany and the villages of Umbria, August comes alive with colors, scents, and traditions. The Val di Chiana, a land of excellent wines, historical reenactments, and timeless landscapes, becomes one of the most authentic destinations for those seeking cultural, food and wine, and folk experiences.
From the famous Bravìo delle Botti in Montepulciano to the evocative Palio dei Terzieri in Città della Pieve, passing through the local festivals of San Casciano dei Bagni, every weekend in August is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the convivial spirit of these lands.
In this article, we guide you through the most anticipated events of summer 2025, helping you build an itinerary full of emotion, flavor, and discovery.
Montepulciano: wine, districts, and spectacle
Montepulciano, famous for its Vino Nobile and Renaissance architecture, becomes in August an open-air stage where popular culture, tradition, and taste blend together. The Tuscan village offers a calendar of unmissable events that involve both locals and travelers in an authentic and participatory atmosphere.
1. Bruscello Poliziano
This is one of the most awaited cultural events of the Tuscan summer and takes place every year in the heart of Montepulciano, in the evocative setting of Piazza Grande, on the steps of the Duomo. The 2025 edition is scheduled from August 14 to 17, with a special preview on the evening of August 13. This event represents a unique theatrical tradition, a popular opera sung and acted in verse, inspired by local stories, historical figures, or legends.
Since 1939, the event has been organized continuously, evolving from a simple traveling performance into a real outdoor theater show, enriched with costumes, sets, and live musical accompaniment. Over 200 performers take part in each edition, including singers, actors, musicians, dancers, and technicians, making it an important collective and intergenerational experience.
2. Calici di Stelle
On the night of San Lorenzo, Montepulciano hosts Calici di Stelle, the national event dedicated to wine and stargazing, accompanied by music, performances, and wine cellar tours.
It takes place on August 10 in the historic center, with tastings of local wines, particularly the renowned Vino Nobile di Montepulciano DOCG.
This event combines wine culture with the promotion of the territory, attracting thousands of visitors each year.
3. Bravìo delle Botti
This is a unique competition held annually on the last Sunday of August, involving the entire historic center in a spectacular challenge between the city's historic districts. The 2025 edition will take place on Sunday, August 31, preceded by a week of celebrations, parades, and historical reenactments, turning Montepulciano into a living stage of tradition, folklore, and civic pride.
The Bravìo was born in 1974 as a secular reinterpretation of medieval horse races, replacing horses with 80-kilogram wine barrels pushed by hand along a steep uphill route of over one kilometer. Two pushers from each district, dressed in sportswear and under their district's banner, face off in a thrilling race starting from Piazza delle Erbe and ending in Piazza Grande, in front of the Duomo. The eight districts (Cagnano, Collazzi, Gracciano, Le Coste, Poggiolo, San Donato, Talosa, and Voltaia) compete for the "bravìo," a hand-painted banner symbolizing victory.
The week leading up to the race is known as the week of events: every evening, the historic center comes alive with Renaissance costume parades, religious ceremonies, district dinners, and official training sessions of the pushers. Particularly evocative is the Procession of the Candles, which takes place on Saturday evening by torchlight and with live music.
August is undoubtedly the richest and most representative month to fully experience the tradition and culture of Montepulciano.
Città della Pieve: the charm of the Renaissance
A few kilometers from the Tuscan border, Città della Pieve overlooks the Umbrian hills with its red-brick historic center. In August, this medieval town comes alive with historical reenactments, outdoor shows, tastings, and evocative moments that attract thousands of visitors every year.
1. Palio dei Terzieri
This is one of the region's most evocative historical events, involving the three ancient city districts. The 2025 edition will take place from August 10 to 24, enlivening the streets and squares of the historic center with a rich program of reenactments, parades, performances, and Renaissance flavors. The highlight of the event is scheduled for Sunday, August 24, with the spectacular Caccia del Toro, an archery competition where the three districts of the town—Castello, Borgo Dentro, and Casalino—compete.
The event is held at the “Campo de li Giochi”, a special arena where archers from the three districts aim to hit moving bull targets, symbols of strength and courage. The winning district earns the Pallium, a hand-painted artistic tapestry, symbol of honor and victory.
2. Wine Music Green Festival
From August 8 to 10, 2025, Città della Pieve will host a new edition of the Wine Music Green Festival, an event that combines wine and food, culture, music, and environmental sustainability. For three days, the village’s historic center will become a multisensory journey where visitors can taste Umbrian wines, listen to live music, and participate in cultural events and environmental awareness workshops.
The Wine Music Green Festival is a must-attend event for wine lovers, curious travelers, and anyone looking for sustainable and high-quality cultural experiences.
3. Notte Verde, Bianca e Rossa
The month opens with a traditional evening celebrating the Italian summer with live music, artisan markets, street food, and entertainment in the town squares—a true community celebration.
This event, organized by the Municipal Administration in collaboration with local businesses and associations, celebrates the Italian lifestyle through evenings of live music, street performances, craft markets, and tastings of regional specialties.
The Notte Verde, Bianca e Rossa is a must for those who want to enjoy the Umbrian summer in a festive atmosphere, discovering the flavors, sounds, and colors that tell the story of Città della Pieve and its community.
Città della Pieve is the ideal stop for those who love combining culture, folklore, and typical flavors in a beautifully architectural setting.
San Casciano dei Bagni: history, thermal baths, and tradition
Set among the southern hills of the province of Siena, San Casciano dei Bagni is renowned for its millenary thermal waters, but in August it also becomes the stage for folkloric events and festivals that combine farming traditions with the vitality of small villages.
1. Palio di San Cassiano
This is a historical tradition that enlivens the village every year on the Sunday closest to August 13, the feast day of the patron saint. In 2025, the event will be held on Sunday, August 10.
This popular festival offers a chance to relive the village’s historical traditions, celebrating Saint Cassian with a rich program involving the four historic districts (Campanile, Porticciola, Gattineto, and Pozzo).
The day begins with a historical parade from the Castle to the Church of San Leonardo, where the Palio is blessed and the captains swear their oaths. In the afternoon, Piazza Matteotti hosts the “Folk Games,” including sack races, the pot-breaking game, the greasy pole, and the jug race, all organized and managed by the districts. The climax is the “Final Frog Race,” a charming challenge in which participants push carts with a plexiglass frog, and the winner is the one who reaches the finish without dropping it.
2. Sagra della Cinta Senese Brada
This event is usually held in the second half of August. In 2025, it will take place from August 16 to 24 at the Municipal Stadium in the Goracci sports park.
This festival celebrates the Cinta Senese, a native Tuscan pig breed raised in semi-wild conditions, which is one of the region’s gastronomic excellences. During the festival, visitors can enjoy typical dishes made with Cinta Senese pork, both for dinner starting at 7:00 PM and on Sundays also for lunch from 12:00 PM. The event also features live music, traditional dancing, and sporting events, creating a festive and engaging atmosphere. Organized by Polisportiva Fontebelverde, the festival offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture and traditions of San Casciano dei Bagni.
2. Events in Celle sul Rigo
This is a charming medieval village and a hamlet of San Casciano dei Bagni, located in the beautiful Val di Paglia.
This hamlet, just a short distance from the center, hosts several summer events, including:
The traditional Gioco del Cacio (August 6),
The quiz show Il Cervellone (August 9),
The Band Concert (August 12),
The starlit dinner Celle a Cena (August 17).
In addition, a different art exhibition each weekend enriches the cultural offering of the village.
San Casciano dei Bagni offers a perfect balance of well-being, conviviality, and folk tradition. It’s an ideal place to relax in the thermal baths in the morning and dive into the district festivals in the evening, discovering the most genuine side of rural Tuscany.
Chiusi and the Val di Chiana: between Etruscan history and local festivals
Chiusi, one of the oldest towns in Val di Chiana, holds a rich historical and archaeological heritage linked to the Etruscan civilization, offering visitors a journey through time via museums, necropolises, and millenary relics.
In August, this area also comes alive with numerous events celebrating local traditions.
The National Etruscan Museum and the Pian di Mucina Necropolis are must-sees for those wanting to understand the ancient roots of this land. Guided tours and summer cultural events enhance the experience, with activities often organized in both Italian and English to welcome international tourists.
The Val di Chiana also offers beautiful trails for those who love walking or cycling, among vineyards, olive groves, and panoramic hills.
Visiting Chiusi and its surroundings independently allows you to discover lesser-known but highly charming places, away from the summer crowds.
How to get around between events?
The Val di Chiana offers a rich calendar of events throughout August, and traveling independently is essential to make the most of these experiences.
Renting a car is the most convenient and flexible solution to explore the area without depending on schedules or public transport. The scenic and well-maintained roads connect the historic centers easily and make even the smaller and less accessible villages reachable.
Having a car lets you create a personalized itinerary, stopping where you like to taste typical dishes, visit local wineries, or simply enjoy the unique views of the Tuscan and Umbrian hills.
With Revirent24, renting a car is easy and accessible to everyone!
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On Revirent24, you can choose from a wide range of vehicles suited to every need, with competitive rates and fast, reliable service.
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Get ready to experience an unforgettable August full of culture, tradition, and festivals in the stunning Val di Chiana!
