Italy · 5 days
5 Days in Florence
The city where the Renaissance began, small enough to cross on foot in half an hour and too rich to see in a week.
Updated Oct 2026Read the plan →
Sport and Games festival · Siena, Italy
Palio di Siena
When is it
2 Jul 2027
in 231 days
By calendar rule. Twice a year, on 2 July and 16 August; rain can move a race by a day or more; the organisers have not published the 2027 programme yet.
At a glance
- Where
- Siena, Italy
- Usually
- Twice a year, on 2 July and 16 August; rain can move a race by a day or more
- Kind
- Sport and Games, Folk and Tradition
There are two races a year: the Palio di Provenzano on 2 July and the Palio dell'Assunta on 16 August. The dates shown follow the July race. In 2026 the July race was run on 3 July and the August one on 18 August, both after rain delays.
The race lasts about a minute. The days around it are what Siena lives for. Seventeen city districts, the contrade, each with its own colors, emblem, museum and church, put a horse and rider in Piazza del Campo twice a year, and the whole town takes a side by birth.
Ten of the 17 contrade run in each race. Seven are those that sat out the previous race, and three are drawn. Each contrada has its own jockey but not its own horse: the horses are assigned by lot on the first day, in the tratta. Four days of events follow, starting from 29 June for the July race and 13 August for the August one, with six trial runs. On the day itself there is a mass for the jockeys, the blessing of the horses around 3 pm, and a historic procession, and then the race: three laps of the piazza. A horse can win without its jockey if it keeps running in its contrada's colors. The winner receives the Drappellone, a painted silk banner made each year by a different artist.
The race is not gentle, and Italian animal rights groups often oppose it. The 2026 August race ended with the jockey and horse falling after colliding with a person on the track. The horse was declared in good condition, and the jockey was kept in hospital for observation.
How to go. The Palio di Provenzano is on 2 July and the Palio dell'Assunta on 16 August, and rain can postpone a race: in 2026 the July race ran on 3 July and the August one on 18 August after two delays. Keep a spare night. Access to the piazza is free, but once it is closed you cannot leave, and it fills up by early evening. Bring sunscreen, a hat and water. For a more comfortable view, seats are sold on wooden stands or in houses around the square, with tickets from shops in the center. Siena is an easy trip from Florence, but for the race day itself, sleeping in Siena saves a lot of trouble.
Editions
| Year | Dates | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 Jul | Confirmed | tg24.sky.it |
Palio di Siena: FAQ
When is the Palio di Siena in 2027?
The races are held on 2 July and 16 August every year, though rain can move a race to a later day.
Is the Palio free to watch?
Standing in the center of Piazza del Campo is free. Seats on stands and in houses around the square are paid.
Plan the trip
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