CALENDAR ITALY


April 5 Scoppio del Carro


Piazza del Duomo, Florence The “explosion of the cart” is an annual event in Florence, dating back more than 350 years. A wagon, built in 1622, is rigged with fireworks and pulled through the city by white oxen, to the square between the Baptistry and the Cathedral. The fireworks are lit once the wagon reaches the cathedral. If the ritual goes smoothly, it is supposed to mean good luck for the harvest.


April 18–21 Natale de Roma


Piazza del Campidoglio, Rome This four-day event celebrates the founding of Rome.


April 25 Festa di San Marco


Venice A feast celebrating Venice’s patron saint, San Marco. Mass at the basilica is followed by a gondola regatta.


April 26–June 28 Maggio Musicale Fiorentino


Florence This annual arts festival was the first to be held in Italy, and focuses on music and opera. Performances are held in locations throughout Florence, including the Teatro Comunale, the Teatro Piccolo and the Teatro della Pergola.


May 1–October 31 Expo Milano 2015


Milan Expo Milano 2015 will host more than 130 participants from all over the world. The theme for this year’s expo is “Feeding the Planet, Energy for Life.”


April 20–26 Bassano del Grappa White Asparagus Festival


Bassano del Grappa, Veneto This weeklong festival celebrates white asparagus at the beginning of its growing season. Local restaurants usually create many new dishes to feature it while it lasts.


GREECE


April 12 Easter


Nationwide Event Easter is the most important event on the Greek calendar. Notable celebrations are held at Corfu, Pyrgí on Chíos, Ólymbos on Kárpathos and St. John’s Monastery on Pátmos.


April 23 The Feast of Saint George


Nationwide Event This feast day, commemorating the patron saint of shepherds, is very significant on the Greek calendar. It is celebrated nationwide with traditional festivities, such as feasts and dancing.


COSTA RICA


Closest Saturday to July 16 Festival of the Virgin of the Sea


Puntarenas This day celebrates the patron saint of the city. There are fun things to do and watch, including a regatta, boat parade, main street processions, concerts, traditional dance and music, and more.


July 25 Annexation of Guanacaste Day


Nationwide Event This national holiday celebrates the annexation of the province of Guanacaste to Costa Rica in 1824. It is a public holiday where all government and commercial centers are closed. The celebration consists of parades, dances, music, cattle shows and more.


April 5–11 52nd Annual Merrie Monarch Festival Hilo


A hula celebration that offers exhibitions, musical entertainment, arts and crafts fairs, and the Miss Aloha Hula Competition.


April 24–May 3 Kau Coffee Festival


Pahala This festival will feature coffee tasting, farm tours, the Triple C Recipe Contest, the Miss Kau Coffee Pageant and much more.


May–June Rockwave Festival


Athens Rockwave is the biggest rock festival in Greece. It attracts thousands of fans and takes over the city of Athens. Rock bands from around the world perform at an outdoor venue.


June–September Athens Festival


Athens This is a very popular, season-long cultural festival centered in Athens. The festival consists of a mixture between modern and ancient traditions, music, theater, dancing, food and more.


HAWAII


May 21–25 Big Island Film Festival at The Fairmont Orchid, Hawaii


Kamuela Films from all around the world are featured at this festival and Q&A sessions follow each film. The audience is also invited to participate in a Silent Auction for Fisher House at the end of the festival.


June 13 99th Annual King Kamehameha Celebration Floral Parade


Honolulu A parade honoring King Kamehameha, the ruler who united the Hawaiian Islands.


Spring 2015 | | 35


July 19 45th Annual Ukulele Festival Honolulu


A celebration of the ukulele. Displays, lessons and ukulele giveaways provide fun for the whole family.


July 25 2015 Dragon Boat Festival


Honolulu A festival that features a competition for novice, amateur and professional dragon boat teams from around the world.


June–September Theatro Petras Festival Petroupoli


Athens From June–September, an old rock quarry in Petroupoli, Athens is transformed into a venue that hosts theater and music performances by entertainers and artists.


June–August Roma Incontra il Mondo


Villa Ada Park, Rome A musical festival featuring rock, hip-hop, contemporary music and more.


June 14–21 Taormina Film Festival


Taormina Visitors enjoy film screenings and an awards ceremony during this film festival, located in a 2,000-year-old Greek theatre.


June 21–Sep. 20 Ravello Music Festival


Ravello A festival that takes place throughout all of Ravello, featuring ballet performances, concerts covering a wide variety of music, film screenings, and exhibitions.


June 26–29 Aria di Festa


San Daniele del Friuli This summer festival features tastings, music and performances to celebrate the prosciutto and wines of the area.


June 26–July 12 Spoleto Festival dei Due Mondi


Spoleto This is a summer music and opera festival that features concerts, dance, drama, visual arts and science discussions.


July 2 & Aug. 16 Palio Siena


An annual bareback horse race that takes place in the Piazza del Campo.


July 24–Aug. 30 Festival Puccini


Torre del Lago Puccini A celebration of all things Puccini, with four operas featured this year: Tosca, Turandot, Madama Butterfly and La Rondine.


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