Santa Lucia Fair and Palio delle Contrade of Perignano

The most anticipated festival in Perignano

Every September, the village of Perignano, in the municipality of Casciana Terme Lari (Province of Pisa, Tuscany), celebrates its most cherished event: the Santa Lucia Fair and the Palio delle Contrade. It is a dual event that weaves together the town's great fair tradition with the playful and passionate rivalry between the local districts, enlivening the town center along Piazza Vittorio Veneto and Via Matteotti for nearly an entire month.

The Santa Lucia Fair

The fair kicks off in early September, transforming Perignano into a large open-air market. Throughout the streets and squares of the center, you will find stalls, antiques and craft markets, a funfair, street food, and local shops staying open late. There is no shortage of live music, family entertainment, and activities designed for children, making the fair an event suitable for all ages. It is a moment of collective celebration that attracts visitors from across the Valdera and the surrounding areas of the Pisan province.

The Palio delle Contrade

The heart of Perignano's tradition is the Palio delle Contrade, established in 1985 and since grown into one of the town's defining identity events. The districts of Perignano compete in costume pageants and a series of skill trials: a jury evaluates the care and authenticity of the costumes, historical accuracy, and the quality of the theatrical performances. The challenge culminates in the conquest of the Cencio, the painted banner awarded to the winning district. Among the most spectacular trials is the famous Palio della Bilancia, an obstacle course where teams must carry a weight to the top of a structure set up in the central square and place it on a scale within a set time.

The competing districts

The historic districts of the town compete for the Palio, including Casaccia, Castello, Quattro Strade, Fagiolaia, Spinelli, Pari, Tomaiola, and Tre Vie. Each district brings its own colors, performers, and local pride to the square, in a spirit of healthy competition that involves entire families and generations of Perignano residents.

An event organized by the community

The event is organized by the Associazione Perignanese together with local merchants, with the support of the Municipality of Casciana Terme Lari. It is the perfect example of how a small Tuscan town keeps its traditions alive through popular fairs, gastronomy, and historical re-enactments: an authentic opportunity to experience the community spirit of Valdera.