Giglio Island Events
Feast of St. Lawrence
Prominent events on Giglio Island include. The feast of San Lorenzo in Giglio Porto, which is held on August 10.. Festivities in honor of the patron saint are usually held for three days, from August 8 to 10, culminating with the Palio Marinaro on August 10 at seven o'clock in the evening.
This rowing race, strongly rooted in the culture of the fishermen and sailors of Giglio Porto, takes place among the three districts: Church, Moletto and Saracen.
On the day of August 10, the harbor is colored with festivity, with everyone cheering on their ward. The celebrations, which include dance nights, children's games and other smaller rowing competitions, reach their climax on the night of the 10th with the fireworks display above Giglio Porto.
Feast of Saint Mamilian
Sept. 15 celebrates St. Mamiliano in Giglio Castello, the patron saint of the entire island. The feast of St. Mamiliano is especially loved by the Gigliesi, who at the end of the season can enjoy a few days of recreation.
During the festival, square dancing is performed, the typical local dance, to be performed in pairs: a lady and a knight on the arm. Here love and courtship are revealed, and everyone hopes to end up on the arm of the person they like. The three-day celebration includes musical evenings, games for children and adults, religious events, and the fireworks display above Giglio Castello, the Rabbit Festival - one of the island's signature dishes - and the Donkey Palio.
The latter is the traditional donkey ride in which the four districts of Giglio Castello: Rocca, Casamatta, Cisterna and Centro (which never wins!) compete. The festival is also An expression of the island's farming traditions, strongly linked to the land and the countryside more than to the sea.
Feast of Saint Mamilian
Sept. 15 celebrates St. Mamiliano in Giglio Castello, the patron saint of the entire island. The feast of St. Mamiliano is especially loved by the Gigliesi, who at the end of the season can enjoy a few days of recreation.
During the festival, square dancing is performed, the typical local dance, to be performed in pairs: a lady and a knight on the arm. Here love and courtship are revealed, and everyone hopes to end up on the arm of the person they like. The three-day celebration includes musical evenings, games for children and adults, religious events, and the fireworks display above Giglio Castello, the Rabbit Festival - one of the island's signature dishes - and the Donkey Palio.
The latter is the traditional donkey ride in which the four districts of Giglio Castello: Rocca, Casamatta, Cisterna and Centro (which never wins!) compete. The festival is also An expression of the island's farming traditions, strongly linked to the land and the countryside more than to the sea.
Gigliese food and wine events
In addition to religious and patronal celebrations, Giglio Island offers two important wine and food events related to wine: the Grape Festival and Open Cellars, now in its 10th year, and the MuVinAr.
The Grape Festival and Open Cellars takes place on the last weekend of September within Giglio Castello. At the center of the celebrations we find the Ansonac, the island's wine, produced entirely locally. This amber-colored white wine with a robust and fruity flavor reflects the characteristics of the island and its inhabitants - sour but flavorful, strong and sweet at the same time.
During the three-day festival, wine and typical local dishes, including poacher's soup, cod with potatoes, wild rabbit, onion omelet, panficato, and raisin crush, can be tasted in the ancient cellars of Castello. The festival comes alive with groups of local singers, whom one can join to sing along with a glass of wine in hand.
Grape and Winery Festival marks the end of the grape harvest and is the time when the previous year's wine is consumed to make room for the new.
In early June, however, MuVinAr, a festival combining Wine, Music and Art, comes to life. During MuVinAr week, visitors can taste Ansonaco from various local producers and heroic wines from some guest winemakers.
It is an occasion when the island's long wine tradition is combined with modern art, offering a contemporary view of the island and its ecosystem. The contemporary art artists will have space to express their creativity and display their works, while musical concerts in unique and breathtaking locations will enliven the festival evenings.
Music festivals on the island of Giglio
After MuVinAr, a hybrid festival full of contaminations, the programming of Isola del Giglio continues with Two music festivals focused on classical chamber music and opera. These events, which take place in the August, feature international singers and musicians working in the most important theaters in Italy.
The Music Festival at the Lily, now past its 10th edition, boasts the artistic and organizational direction of Daniela Petracchi, also the event's creator. The festival includes. Three days of chamber music concerts performed at different times of the day: at sunrise at the Arenella beach, at sunset in the scenic Altura plateau and in the historic church of Giglio Castello, evocative places that set the stage for performances by musicians from Italy's leading orchestras.
To stay up to date with festival news, you can check out the Facebook page @Festival MusicalGiglio. Another event not to be missed is The Lily is Opera Festival, a weeklong traveling festival in August.
Through opera performances, visitors have the opportunity to discover some of the most fascinating corners of the island. Each year the festival features a different opera program, always performed by musicians and singers of international caliber.
To see the festival program, how to purchase and book tickets, you can visit the dedicated website www.ilgiglioelirica.com, the Facebook page @associazionearteinscena, or email asscult.arteinscena@libero.it.

"The Island Theater" company P. Buttarelli
In the summer landscape of Giglio Island, the presence of the All-Island company "The Island Theater" P. Buttarelli.
Between July 1 and mid-September, this esteemed theater group offers a series of weekly performances, held mainly inside the charming Rocca Aldobrandesca or in other picturesque locations located in Giglio Castello. On these occasions, amateur and amateur actors, all residents of the island, bring to the stage the work prepared during the winter. Each year, the company takes on a great classic of theatrical comedy, ranging from Molière to Goldoni, via Shakespeare and, in recent years, Eduardo De Filippo.
"The Island Theater" P. Buttarelli Company has a history of more than 30 years. It was founded by Pietro Buttarelli, a renowned actor who worked with leading theater figures such as Giorgio Strehler of Milan's Teatro Piccolo. A lover of the island, he decided to spend his old age here with his wife, starting the Island Theatre Company and Chorus, helping to bring out island talent.
Today the Company, still composed of Gigliese actors, is led by Florentine director Andrea Giannoni.
From 2019 to the present, "La Compagnia dei Cosi," a company of young professionals carries on the project: "Ti Ferry Theater" aboard Maregiglio ferries departing from Porto Santo Stefano for Giglio Island. A cast of two actors at a time welcome tourists by telling stories and legends related to the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago. A young, fresh, intelligent welcome to spread culture and theater to the most unexpected places.
Sporting events on Giglio Island: the Ricciola Cup
Among the sporting events that enliven Giglio Island, the Amberjack Cup stands out for its growing success and relevance.
This Amberjack fishing competition is held on the first weekend of October and, over its 39-year history, has established itself as an annual must-attend event. It is particularly appreciated by fishing enthusiasts, especially those from Rome and surrounding areas, who join local fishermen in catching one of our sea's most coveted and tasty prey.
Interesting data: the first edition of the Amberjack Cup took place in 1985, in September, a time when large amberjacks begin to approach the coasts in search of prey. Since then, it is at this time of year that fishermen gather to participate in this race rich in history and tradition.
For all information, regulations, race dates and official communications, please refer to the dedicated website: http://www.ricciolacup.it/.
Don't miss the gigliese events, reach the island with Maregiglio!
If you are passionate about music, art, theater, sports or simply want to immerse yourself in a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, Giglio Island is the ideal destination for you. But then, why wait any longer?
To fully experience the Giglio events, and fully appreciate the beauty of the island, book your seat now on one of our Maregiglio ferries (we recommend that you opt for online purchase, especially during peak tourist periods)!
Our Maregiglio ferries offer comfortable and safe travel, with flexible schedules to fit your needs, which you can consult in the appropriate section.
To reach the island, it is sufficient to Go to the ferry embarkation point, located in Porto Santo Stefano at Piazzale Candi 8, taking care to show up at least 30 minutes before departure for proper handling of passenger boarding arrangements.
If you bring any vehicle with you, don't forget to specify it when you make your reservation, paying the correct rate: in case you decide to leave the car, we will advise you Where to park your car in Porto Santo Stefano.
In addition to the many events mentioned so far, you can spend wonderful days at Giglio:
- discovering the beautiful beaches and coves;
- discovering the 3 countries that enliven the island;
- exploring the hidden sides of the territory, with special trekking routes.
Do you want to try different experiences? An alternative is to reach Giannutri from Giglio Island..
From June 20 until about September 15, Maregiglio offers a direct connection on Thursdays, departing from Giglio Porto at 10:30 am and returning from Giannutri at 4:00 pm.
Departing from Giglio Porto every Thursday, you will have the opportunity to experience two interesting mini-cruises, always carried out by our company, Maregiglio.