The best parties Italie - Alpes italiennes et Dolomites

Less famous than that of Siena, but older and just as lively, the Palio di Asti is a tradition that has been going on since the Middle Ages, and more precisely since the 12th century! Every year, on the third Sunday of September, the festivities begin with a historical costume parade with more than 1,200 figures that winds through the streets of the old town and a flea market that precedes a wild horse race in Piazza Alfieri in Asti, the central square of the city.

On the day of the Epiphany, a tradition that dates back to the 14th century takes place: the procession of the Three Wise Men, made up of Gaspard, Melchior and Balthazar, as well as many other characters, shepherds, knights and peasants, travels along Via Torino and Corso di Porta Ticinese, from the Duomo to the Basilica of Sant'Eustorgio, to finally lay down their gifts in front of a living crib. For the people of Milan, this is an opportunity to gather around the procession, which has become an unavoidable celebration of the Christmas season.

The Nivola is a centuries-old tradition that every year, on the Saturday closest to September 14, the Archbishop of Milan climbs on a kind of mechanical cloud (la nivola) to the highest point of the apse of the Duomo to recover the relic of a nail of the Holy Cross. The faithful have the opportunity to see this nail placed on the altar of the Duomo until Sunday. It is then returned to its original place. This tradition dates back to 1576, when the archbishop of the time implored the relic to end the plague epidemic.

A day when the rainbow flag is the protagonist on the streets of the city. A great parade is organised, as well as festivities throughout the evening.

All children love San Nicolò who brings them presents. Not even afraid of the ugly Krampus!

In Castelrotto, the snow-covered mountains of Trentino-Alto Adige are the setting for a popular festival: the famous Saint Nicholas' Day costume parade, with the dreadful Krampus as a bonus! It's a bit like the local "Père Fouettard", dressed in animal skin, his emaciated face is surmounted by large horns. His disciples, wearing terrifying masks, wander alongside him in the streets of the village, torch in hand, to the sound of bells... in search of the bambini cattivi (wicked children).