Broad Beans at the Sagra del Baccello in Salviano, LivornoFood, of course, features high on the list of priorities in any Italian community, and no less so in Livorno. Food festivals known as sagre take place throughout the year all over the province, celebrating particular local produce.

Livorno itself has a number of these, including the Sagra in honour of the broad bean - La Sagra del Baccello - in the spring, and others featuring mushrooms - La Sagra del Fungo -  and grapes - La Sagra dell'Uva - in the autumn.

The Port of LivornoSome of the most important annual events on the calendar in Livorno have a definite maritime theme, reflecting the city’s tradition as a port and shipyard with its prestigious Naval Academy and its fishing industry. 

This maritime theme begins in April with the sailing regatta known as the Trofeo Accademia Navale e Città di Livorno  (‘Naval Academy and City of Livorno Sailing Trophy’). This sailing competition began in 1981 to celebrate the Naval Academy’s 100th anniversary. The regatta lasts for a week and teams from all over the world take part in the various races. A number of related events also take place in the town, especially in the port area, during that week (see the Livorno Now What’s On calendar for specific dates and events).

Livorno’s division into ‘Rioni’ is never more heartfelt than during the city’s annual rowing races. There are three main races and several others,  eleven of them in all, beginning with the Coppa Gaetano D’Alesio in April and ending with the Palio delle Circoscrizioni in August. The most important events are the Coppa Risiatori, Coppa Barontini (both in June) and the Palio Marinaro (in July).

Fortezza Vecchia, the stage for many summer events in LivornoEvery year during the months of June, July, August and September there is a rich programme of events in the city of Livorno and the surrounding area.

These events include concerts and cabaret at the Fortezza Vecchia, on the edge of the port of Livorno, Effetto Venezia on the canals of the Venezia district at the beginning of August, Tocca le Stelle a Montenero, a series of cultural events 'below the stars' in the village of Montenero, a few miles south of Livorno, in August and September, and the international art exhibition Premio Rotonda, in August, an exhibition of contemporary art by artists from Italy and abroad, including many Livornese artists.