After an intense spring full of sports events like Audi Tron Sailing Series and Triathlon Sprint, Portovenere is ready to host a number of exciting occasions throughout the summer of 2015!
One event is both a new entry and a pleasant return to the past: an open-air, arena-style cinema will be set up for the months of July and August in San Pietro Square. A variety of selected Italian and European movies will be projected under the stars, just like in the nostalgic past.
Among the most anticipated summer events in Portovenere are the following traditional religious celebrations:
- White Madonna, with its spectacular procession and lights display (17 August)
- Madonna delle Grazie (from 3 to 8 September)
- St. Venerio, Patron of the Gulf of Poets (13-14 September)
If you happen to be around town on 18 July and on 22 August, get ready to put your swimming skills to the test by crossing Le Bocche channel that separates Portovenere from Palmaria Island! In fact, on these dates, the channel is closed to boat traffic and becomes an enormous natural pool, open only to swimmers.
Music concerts will dot the entire calendar of summer events in Portovenere and its surrounding villages of Le Grazie and Fezzano. Italian artists who will be performing include Antonella Ruggiero and Andrea Bacchetti (One Voice and One Piano show on 15 August), Paola Donzella (16 July), Matteo Fiorino (28 July), Enzo Pietropaoli and Eleonora Bianchini (26 June), Angelo Olivieri Quintet (27 June).
The International Jazz Festival of La Spezia will open in Portovenere on 25 June with the performances of Peppe Servillo, Javier Girotto e Natalio Mangalavite. If you enjoy classical music, do not miss the organ concert during the Festival of the Sound of Time on 24 July and the show by the Peccioli Philharmonic Society on 26 July. Every Wednesday evening between 8 July and 12 August, the village of Fezzano will alternate different music genres, from jazz to improvisation to DJ sets, in entertaining live music shows.
There is even a talent show for emerging local bands: the “Dialma Band 2015” contest will take place on 23 and 30 July in the village of Le Grazie, and on 6 and 13 August in Portovenere.
Love dancing? Then don’t miss the ‘70s Party on 11 July and the “Noche en Blanco” Caribbean night on 25 July, both in Le Grazie. In this village, you will also be able to admire beautiful period boats during the Valdettaro Classic Boats event from 4 to 6 September.
Finally, Portovenere rocks its streets on 23 August in the traditional “Minaccia Bel Tempo” (literally nice weather threat) town party with music, food stands and a fireworks show around San Peter Church.
Summer Events in Portovenere: the full calendar
The 2015 Calendar features an event for almost every day of summer! Here is the complete list (click to open a PDF for a better view on Portovenere’s official website)
