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Immerse yourself in the festivities at these local holidays that are celebrated uniquely in 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.

In 305 CE, Saint Januarius (San Gennaro), a bishop of the Catholic Church, was martyred during Diocletian’s reign of the Roman Empire. His blood, allegedly, now sits in the Naples cathedral. The blood has solidified. However, it liquifies randomly throughout the year. San Gennaro is the protector and patron saint of Naples. It is believed that he has saved the city from volcano eruptions and plagues.

In December 1631, Mount Vesuvius erupted and the bust (or sometimes head, depending on the version of the story) of San Gennaro as well as a vial of his blood was brought out for a procession. When the solidified blood liquified as it faced the magma, the magma miraculously stopped moving and San Gennaro was credited with saving the city.

Yearly, on September 19, the day he was executed, San Gennaro’s feast day is celebrated. If the blood liquifies on this day, the church bells will ring, and it is considered a sign of protection and a good omen for the city of Naples. Traditionally, women in Naples will spend the day and night prior to the feast praying for the blood to liquify. If the blood does not liquify it is seen as a bad omen; however, nothing tragic has happened yet during the years that the blood didn’t liquify. Whether or not the blood liquifies, Neapolitans still gather to celebrate the Feast.

The day begins at the Cathedral of Naples, where the blood is presented to the public to witness the liquification. Then, there is a religious procession throughout the oldest quarters of Naples.

Can’t make it on September 19? Do not worry. For eight days, the blood is on display in the cathedral and festivities occur throughout the streets of Naples. Vendors sell toys, food, trinkets and sweets for everyone to enjoy. Biscotti as well as lemon and cinnamon cookies are a must-have at this event every year. While in town for the celebration, visit the Treasure of San Gennaro museum, adjacent to the cathedral, for a look at the priceless devotional items sent to honor San Gennaro over the centuries.