Jacopean Celebrations – Vestition of Saint James and the Bear Joust

Pistoia's patronal feast

The Jacopean Celebrations are the major summer event through which Pistoia, the capital of the province of the same name in Tuscany, honors its patron saint, Saint James (Saint James the Greater), celebrated on July 25th. Throughout July, the city's historic center comes alive with historical pageants, processions, concerts, and cultural initiatives that weave religious devotion with the pride of the four city districts: Grifone, Cervo Bianco, Leon d'Oro, and Drago.

The Vestition of Saint James

One of the most evocative moments is the Vestition of the statue of Saint James, located on the roof of the Cathedral of San Zeno: the patron saint's sculpture is draped in a red mantle in a highly solemn ritual. For the 2026 edition, the vestition will be held for the first time in an evening format on July 16th, preceded by a procession through the center accompanied by a philharmonic band, creating an atmosphere of quiet reflection under the evening lights.

The Bear Joust

The highlight of the festivities is the Giostra dell'Orso, an ancient jousting tournament documented since the Middle Ages and revived in its current form in the mid-20th century. On the evening of July 25th, in a Piazza del Duomo transformed into an arena and packed with spectators, riders from the four districts gallop to strike the Bear targets—the city's heraldic symbol—with their lances. The race awards the Palio, a banner painted each year by an artist chosen through a competition: for 2026, the banner's theme reflects Pistoia's identity as the Italian Capital of Books.

Pageants, flower festivals, and processions

The peak week is marked by events involving the entire community: the candle procession starting from Piazza San Francesco, with each district parading while carrying its decorated candle; the Solemn Mass in the Cathedral presided over by the bishop with the blessing of the Palio; the flower festival (infiorata) created in front of the Cathedral; the fireworks display in honor of the patron saint; and the historical pageant in medieval costumes that precedes the equestrian challenge with the blessing of the horses.

A heritage of identity

The Bear Joust is much more than a race: it is a symbol of the Pistoiese people's belonging to their districts, a re-enactment that strengthens the bond between the city, its history, and its patron saint every year. For visitors, it is an opportunity to experience the most authentic side of Tuscany, far from the main tourist flows, immersed in the colors, drums, and flags of a centuries-old tradition.