Infiorata Festival in Italy: the most charming ones from North to South you shouldn't miss

Between late April and early June, stunning designs made from delicate flower petals color the streets of villages and cities throughout the peninsula: these are the Infiorate, flower carpet festivals much loved by locals but less known compared to other Italian traditions. The Infiorate in Italy were born to celebrate the Corpus Christi, a religious feast that pays homage to the body of Christ in the Eucharist, and the arrival of the spring. Initially created as religious celebrations, over time they have turned into fine artworks, floral paintings brightening the streets with their vivid colors.

Fine artists meet every year to create intricate images using thousands of petals and plant parts, without glue or artificial matters. These amazing mosaics are able to capture eyes and nose, and represent a must-see celebration of faith, nature, and art. And, we should say, a perfect occasion to discover or visit towns and villages in a new light. Here is our guide to the most beautiful Infiorate in Italy.

The Infiorata is a union of spirituality and nature, and in many towns the whole local community takes part, creating a cheerful atmosphere of togetherness. On the night before Corpus Domini, known as the "night of flowers”, baskets filled with all sorts of thousand-colored petals are brought out. Each area uses mainly local fresh or dried flowers, gathered by volunteers or the infioratori masters days or even months before. Then cardboard stencils with the pictures, often inspired by religious or natural scenes, are laid on the ground, and carefully filled in with petals throughout the night until nearly dawn.

Corpus Domini (Body of the Lord) is generally celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost, so the dates vary each year. It is a religious event accompanied by processions and deeply felt by the public. This year, it will happen on Sunday, June 22, so most of the Infiorate will take place on the weekend of June 21–22, 2025.

It’s believed that the tradition of creating images with flower petals began with Benedetto Drei, head of the Vatican Basilica’s flower service, and his son Pietro. On June 29, 1625, for the feast of Saints Peter and Paul - patrons of Rome - they used “foliated and minced flowers to emulate mosaic works.” The first infiorata specifically for Corpus Christi dates back to 1743 in Gerano (Rome), where it was made in honor of the Madonna del Cuore (a painting by Sebastiano Conca). Since then, this tradition has spread throughout the peninsula, especially in central Italy.

From Noale to Noto, passing through Spello, here we want to recommend the most beautiful and fascinating Infiorate in Italy you should not miss.

Infiorate in Northern Italy come alive in several towns; here are the most famous. 

Let’s begin with the already mentioned Infiorata of Noale. Located in Veneto, in the province of Venice, a 100-square-meter carpet covers the main street up to the ancient Bell Tower. The infiorata is one of the most loved events in Noale, not only for its artistic and religious value but also as a community project that strengthens social bonds, so that even children help to create them. Petals, plant essences, grains, stems and natural materials become decorative artworks alongside which the Corpus Domini procession passes in the evening. If you’re traveling in Veneto, take the chance to explore Venice with the Venice Pass

Liguria is not only known for the Sanremo flowers. Naturally colorful and flower-filled, it hosts several amazing Infiorate. The one of Pietra Ligure (Savona), "Pietra Ligure in Fiore" happens every three years and it is the largest in Europe. It is an exhibition of artistic flower carpet: the main squares are filled with representations of famous artworks or original designs by infioratori masters. Over 800 floral artists from 40 Italian and European cities begin working on Saturday and the audience can assist with the entire process. The works remain on display until Sunday evening. The next edition is scheduled for May 24–25, 2025.

Also in the province of Savona, Sassello has replaced an ancient tradition called Infrascata—where green branches decorated the Corpus Christi procession route—with its own infiorata, scheduled this year for Sunday, June 2, 2025.

In Brugnato (province of La Spezia), local districts compete to create the most beautiful floral carpet. In Diano Marina (Imperia), along the western Riviera Coast, 2,000 square meters of petals fill the town center. Fresh and dried petals are arranged into intricate patterns along the streets and in front of the town hall. This year’s event is set for Sunday, June 22.

Let’s complete our tour of northern Italy in Emilia-Romagna, in the town of Alseno (Piacenza), a Roman-era village also home to the Cistercian Abbey of Chiaravalle, founded in 1136. Each year, the Abbey hosts the Infiorata for Corpus Christi. Unlike traditional street carpets, the event takes place indoors, along the central nave of the Abbey, where religious paintings are surrounded by elaborate floral frames. The peaceful Gothic cloister and frescoes make this event doubly worth a visit.

Moving to Central Italy, the flower festivals are truly numerous, and it’s hard to resist the temptation to see at least one.

Let’s start with the gentle hills of Tuscany. In the small village of Farnetella, in the Val di Chiana (Siena), the dates for the 2025 Infiorata are yet to be confirmed but will fall between the end of May and early June. As every year, the Infiorata will be accompanied by a festival of literature, music, and food; innovative and independent artists will animate the streets of the village, blending with the colors of the flower carpets.

Also not to be missed is the traditional Infiorata of Fucecchio (Florence) - the dates are also still to be determined. If you’re near there, it’s a great opportunity to take a trip to Florence: take advantage of the Florence Pass to explore the city - saving time and money.

Discover the Visit Rome Pass

The lush Umbria shines with its Infiorata in Spello, in the province of Perugia, one of the most famous in Italy. It features a route of one and a half kilometer, orchestrated by master infioratori who work on their designs throughout the year. Over time, the compositions have become increasingly refined, often conveying complex religious and social messages that require careful planning. A contest, introduced in the 1960s, has helped to enhance the techniques. The materials include whole flowers, petals, crushed fresh or dried flowers, as well as berries and leaves. The masters themselves collect the materials in the surrounding countryside.

The images can range from 24 to 70 square meters and the floral carpets from a minimum of 12 meters to a maximum of 15 meters long. The 2025 Infiorata will take place on the weekend of Corpus Domini, June 21–22, but related events will begin the week before. The highlight, as with many others, is the Night of the Flowers, from Saturday to Sunday, when the streets of this picturesque Umbrian town come alive with floral artists of all ages.

The Infiorata in nearby Assisi is less spectacular, but the town itself is well worth a visit, so why not go during the flower festival, which also usually takes place on the Corpus Domini weekend?

Discover the wonders of Assisi

Among the most well-known Infiorate in the Marche region is that of Montefiore dell’Aso (Ascoli Piceno), where a long floral carpet flows through the town. The origins of this tradition—and even the town's name—seem to be connected to the goddess Flora.

Other notable events include the Infiorata of Cupra Montana (Ancona) and the one of Fermignano and Piobbico (Pesaro and Urbino), a beautiful medieval village at the foot of the hill crowned by the Brancaleoni Castle. Here, the event is called La Fiorita del Corpus Domini, and your eyes won’t be able to look away from the brilliant yellows of broom flowers blending with the reds of roses and the greens of savory.

Also not to be forgotten is the Infiorata of Servigliano, in the province of Fermo, whose beautiful floral creations decorate the town streets and attract large crowds of local residents and visitors.

Our Grand Tour of the Infiorate brings us to Latium. Let’s start with the largest of them all, the one of Alatri (Frosinone). The event is particularly meaningful here, due to the presence in the old city center of a relic from the Eucharistic Miracle of 1228, depicted in frescoes on the cathedral walls and preserved within the church itself.

From June 21 to 23, 2025, the beautiful Infiorata of Genzano di Roma will take place. This town lies just 30 km from the capital. The flower laying begins at dawn on Sunday and blooms are collected in the preceding days and stored in caves. Over twenty flower varieties are chosen to portray a wide range of colors. The designs remain on the ground until Monday afternoon, when local children dismantle the artwork in a traditional event called Spallamento, turning the streets into a joyful petals battle.

The town of Gerano hosts Italy’s oldest Infiorata. Located in the province of Rome, in the Giovenzano Valley amid Latium’s countryside, this tradition began between 1743 and 1760 to honor the Madonna del Cuore (a painting by 18th-century artist Sebastiano Conca). In Gerano, the infioratori masters draw directly on the ground with chalk before filling in the designs with nature’s vibrant colors and fragrances. Visitors can also explore the Infiorata Museum, opened in 2003, which preserves the historical tools used and offers a virtual tour of past editions. The 295th Infiorata will be held slightly earlier than others, on Sunday, April 27, 2025.

Also worth mentioning is the Infiorata of Bolsena, in the province of Viterbo, which will take place on June 22, 2025. Here too, stunning thousand hues tapestries will adorn the streets of the lake town, creating a moment of joy and wonder for all.

Let’s complete our floral journey through Central Italy in the Abruzzo region, with the Infiorata of the picturesque town of Roccascalegna (Chieti). Nestled among Abruzzo’s wild valleys, this village is also home to the famous and beautiful Castle. A local legend says that on Corpus Domini day, the first person to step on the noble floral carpet will be the parish priest, who then exits the church in a solemn procession carrying the Blessed Sacrament.

And here we are in the South. There are many Infiorate here as well, each worth admiring.

Let’s start in the main city of Molise, Campobasso. Religious and geometric designs, along with depictions of the Virgin Mary to honor the Madonna dei Monti, will enrich the city streets. In Campobasso, whose historic center lies on a hillside dominated by the Monforte Castle, the Infiorata is closely tied to the Capuchin friars of the Church of Santa Maria Maggiore. The friars undertook the renovation and restoration of the church, which was inaugurated on May 30, 1911. The following day, the statue of the Virgin was carried through the streets, accompanied by the Infiorata, which has always been celebrated on May 31st.

In Campania, two flower carpet festivals stand out, both located in the province of Benevento. In San Bartolomeo in Galdo, alongside flowers, petals, and other natural elements, the artworks are also decorated using colored salt, seeds, sawdust, and coffee grounds. A continuous stream of shapes and shades weaves through the historic center, extending out to the neighborhoods and even the outskirts.

The Infiorata of Cusano Mutri is also worth mentioning: thanks to the accurate work of volunteers who scour the countryside in the week leading up to the event, the village is filled with vibrant floral canvases, portraying not only religious themes but also social and contemporary topics.

Apulia also boasts its own Infiorata. Heading toward the “heel” of the peninsula, you’ll find Patù (Lecce), in the lower Salento region, at the southern tip of Capo di Leuca. Here, simple flowers with intense colors are used to reflect the character of this land. The petals can also be turned into a fine powder, used to define the intricate details of the designs. The Infiorata is a perfect occasion to visit this charming Salento village, dressed up for the feast of Corpus Domini.

Explore the beauty of Lecce and Salento

Continuing into Calabria, we find the Infiorata of Potenzoni di Briatico (Vibo Valentia), a tiny hamlet of just 250 residents. Four neighborhoods challenge, doing their best to honor this important tradition that brings the village to life - especially younger people, who take part in designing and creating the images.

Of course, we can't forget the islands. In Sicily, aside from the famous Infiorata of Noto (May 16–20, 2025), which needs no introduction, we’d also like to highlight the one in San Pier di Niceto (Messina). The origins of the Infiorata Sampierese date back to the 18th century, when it was customary to scatter rosemary, flower petals, and broom along the route of the Corpus Domini procession, and to hang blankets and sheets with floral patterns from balconies. Today, the flower carpet can stretch up to two kilometers and draws visitors from all over Italy and abroad every year.

The end of our long floral journey lies in Sardinia. Here, the Infiorata of Tortolì (Nuoro), on the island’s central-eastern coast, is definitely worth mentioning. The event, called Tortolì in Fiore, reaches its twelfth edition this year and is beloved for its spectacular celebration of springtime in the Ogliastra region. During the event, some of the most skilled flower artists in Italy fill the streets with intricate designs made of flower petals, creating stunning colorful carpets. Music and good food accompany the festivities, making it a full-blown celebration.

The Infiorate are a wonderful opportunity to discover lesser-known towns and villages and live their traditions. Take advantage of the occasion—whether to learn more about this ancient craft or simply to admire these enchanting works of art. They’re absolutely unmissable but just temporary!

Keep in mind that this year, Corpus Domini falls on Sunday, June 22, and most of the Infiorate festivals will take place that weekend (though, as we’ve seen, some may happen earlier). Be sure to check the official websites for the Infiorata you're interested in, especially if the dates haven’t been confirmed yet.

From north to south, Italy offers countless beautiful flower carpets festivals, you have just to plan your visit!