1 Florence’s SCOPPIO DEL CARRO (Explosion of the Cart) is held on Easter Sunday but isn’t your typical Easter celebration. White oxen haul a 17th-century cart to the Piazza del Duomo, escorted by participants dressed in 15th-century garb. The cart is then loaded up with fireworks, which are ignited after Easter Mass, lighting up the sky in a fantastic display. 17 April
2 First celebrated in 1950, LA SAGRA DEL CARCIOFO ROMANESCO (Romanesco Artichoke Festival) was launched in Lazio’s Ladispoli to celebrate this tasty local ingredient. If you’re in the town around the time of the festival you’ll find restaurants offering artichoke-based menus (from starters to desserts!) as well as plenty more food and festivities. As with many Italian festivals, the event closes with an impressive fireworks display. 22-24 April (TBC), www.prolocoladispoli.it