Fireworks in the Bay of Naples ()
Ferragosto falls on August 15 every year in Italy and is the unofficial start to Italian summer. While many of your favorite shops, businesses and restaurants might be closed during the summer season, all over Naples and Italy there are celebrations for this festive holiday and the weeks that follow it.
Ferragosto dates all the way back to Ancient Rome in honor of Emperor Augustus and the end of the hard labor of the agricultural season in 18 BCE. The name “Ferragosto” comes from the Latin phrase, “Feriae Augusti,” roughly translating to “August rest.” After the fall of the Roman Empire, the holiday assumed a Christian identity as well, celebrating the Assumption of the Virgin Mary (her ascension into Heaven).
Today, you can celebrate by simply having a big family lunch and resting, check out one of the local celebrations and firework shows, or do as many Italians do and head to the coast to soak up fun in the summer sun or head over to the mountains.
On August 15, join others on a walk on the slopes of Vesuvius or through Campania, enjoy free entrances to museums throughout the city and look up at the night sky for it is sure to be filled with sparkling firework displays.
During the week leading up to the holiday, you can celebrate at the Restate a Napoli in the Piazza del Plebiscito. These free events, held over the course of eight days, offer people the chance to see up to three free musical and theatrical shows per day. For this year’s event schedule and links to reserve your free tickets, follow the organization at facebook.com/restateanapoli.
