Ancient Mid-August Fair of Lastra a Signa

A tradition dating back to 1781

The Ancient Mid-August Fair is one of Tuscany's longest-running public events. The first edition dates back to 1781, and it has been held every year since in the historic center of Lastra a Signa, a town in the Metropolitan City of Florence overlooking the Arno river. Promoted by the Municipality of Lastra a Signa, the fair maintains its deep connection to the rural world that birthed it, while constantly renewing itself with a calendar packed with events, concerts, and live performances.

August 15th: The white oxen and the historical pageant

The symbolic highlight of the event is the inauguration on August 15th. At 9:30 AM, the famous parade of white oxen begins, accompanied by a historical pageant that winds through the town streets to the Church of Santa Maria alla Lastra - Misericordia, where Holy Mass is celebrated at 10:00 AM. The day concludes in the evening with the traditional Mid-August Dinner, featuring live music and bringing together locals and visitors at community tables.

The last weekend of August: The heart of the fair

The main program is concentrated on the last weekend of August, when the historic center of Lastra a Signa transforms into a large open-air stage. The town's squares and streets host:

• concerts and live performances, ranging from singer-songwriter music to traditional brass bands;
• street art, roaming entertainment, and family-friendly activities;
• the antiques market and special fair stalls;
• exhibitions and demonstrations of traditional craftsmanship;
• the livestock exhibition, a direct legacy of the fair's agricultural roots;
• attractions and workshops dedicated to children.

Between Florence and the Arno

Located just a few kilometers west of the regional capital, Lastra a Signa preserves medieval walls and a historic village that provide the perfect backdrop for the event. The fair is an opportunity to discover an authentic corner of the Florentine province, far from mass tourism circuits, where Tuscan folk tradition is still experienced with the participation of the entire community. Admission to all events is free.