Rificolona Festival in Castellina in Chianti

An ancient Florentine tradition in the heart of Chianti

The Rificolona Festival is one of the most poetic events in the Tuscan calendar. In Castellina in Chianti, in the province of Siena, it is celebrated every year on September 7th, the eve of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary. This popular tradition of Florentine origin has been adopted by the local Chianti municipality for several years, becoming one of the most cherished highlights of the village's summer program in Tuscany.

The origins: from the countryside to Florence

The custom dates back to the mid-17th century, when people living in the countryside and mountains would travel to Florence, specifically to the Basilica of the Santissima Annunziata, to celebrate the religious feast of the Nativity of the Virgin. Farmers would walk for hours through the night, lighting their way with paper lanterns hung on long reeds. From those humble lanterns comes the rificolona, which has today become the symbol of a joyful and colorful festival that blends popular devotion with village cheer.

The lantern procession

The heart of the evening is the procession, which begins at 9:15 PM from the Church of the Santissimo Salvatore and winds through the streets of Castellina's historic center. The absolute stars are the rificolone: colorful paper lanterns modeled in the most imaginative shapes, lit from within and carried, especially by the little ones. The parade is accompanied by the Castellina in Chianti Philharmonic Society, whose music makes the night walk through the village alleys even more enchanting.

A late summer appointment

The Rificolona ideally closes the long season of events of "Summer in Castellina in Chianti," which enlivens the village from May to September with concerts, food festivals, wine tastings, and traditional celebrations. It is an evening designed for families and those who want to experience Chianti in its most authentic dimension, away from the large tourist crowds, within the medieval walls of one of the iconic villages of wine-producing Tuscany.

Why you should experience it

• A Tuscan popular tradition with strong identity and religious roots
• The charm of illuminated lanterns crossing the village on a September evening
• Live music by the local Philharmonic Society
• A free event suitable for the whole family in the historic center of Castellina