The Giugno Pisano 2026 programme is a calendar of events centred on the celebrations in honour of Pisa’s patron saint, San Ranieri.

This year, Pisa will host the 71st Regatta of the Ancient Maritime Republics (https://www.turismo.pisa.it/en/eventi/Regatta-of-the-Ancient-Maritime-Republics).

Traditional highlights include the night of the Luminara (16 June) (https://www.turismo.pisa.it/en/eventi/Luminara-di-San-Ranieri-2026) and, on the following day, the Palio di San Ranieri (17 June) (https://www.turismo.pisa.it/en/eventi/Palio-di-San-Ranieri-2026)

At the end of the month, the Gioco del Ponte is scheduled to take place on 27 June. (https://www.turismo.pisa.it/en/eventi/Gioco-del-Ponte-2026).

For the 2026 edition, 35 Pisa crosses have been created to be included in the lighting display for the Luminara evening. Among this year’s new features, for the first time in decades, the facade of the Medici Arsenals will finally be illuminated with small lamps. 

*PROGRAMME BEING UPDATED*

Tuesday, June 2, River Arno, Regatta of the Ancient Italian Maritime Republics (71st edition)

The Regatta is one of Italy’s most important historical events. The event pays tribute to the glorious maritime past of Pisa, Genoa, Amalfi, and Venice, the four cities that dominated the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages. The event opens with an evocative historical parade in period costume, followed by the rowing regatta contested on galleons inspired by ancient medieval vessels. Each year, the competition takes place in rotation in one of the four maritime cities, combining history, tradition, and sporting spirit in a grand celebration on the sea. The first edition took place in Pisa on July 1, 1956—exactly seventy years ago—in the presence of the then President of the Republic, Giovanni Gronchi.

Tuesday, June 16, the Arno Riverbanks, Luminara di San Ranieri.

The magic of the Luminara di San Ranieri is renewed every year at dusk on June 16. In honor of Pisa’s patron saint, the Arno Riverbanks are illuminated by more than 100,000 small lights arranged on the facades of palaces, churches, towers, and bridges overlooking the river. Throughout the night, the light of the “lampanini” is the only one illuminating the heart of the city. The origins of the Luminara as we know it today date back to March 25, 1688. On this date, the remains of San Ranieri were transferred to Pisa Cathedral, in the Cappella dell'Incoronata. The city celebration was memorable: every window was lit to welcome the passing procession. From this, the event took the name “Illuminazione,” later becoming “Luminara di Pisa” in the 19th century.

Wednesday, June 17, San Ranieri, River Arno, San Ranieri Rowing Race. 

The San Ranieri Rowing Race takes place on the patron saint’s feast day. On the afternoon of June 17, four boats representing the city’s oldest districts compete on the waters of the Arno. Each district has its own color: San Martino is red, Sant’Antonio is green, Santa Maria is sky blue, and San Francesco is yellow. Victory, however, is not determined by order of finish, but after boarding a barge anchored at the finish line. One member of the crew (the “climber”) must climb to the top of the 10-meter-high flagpole using one of the four ropes. Once at the top, he must be the first to grab the blue prize, the symbol of victory.

Saturday, June 27, along the Arno River and on the Ponte di Mezzo, Gioco del Ponte.

The Gioco del Ponte is a historical reenactment held on the last Saturday of June on the Ponte di Mezzo in Pisa. The event is divided into two main parts: the “Mostra,” a grand parade in Renaissance costume, and the “Battaglia,” in which teams from the city’s districts compete against one another. During the competition, the teams push a heavy cart along a track with the goal of conquering the bridge and outpacing their opponents in a test of strength and endurance. The origins of the Gioco del Ponte date back to the 16th century, and even today the event remains one of the most spectacular symbols of Pisan tradition.

Toscana Energia will once again serve as the main sponsor this year, supporting the City of Pisa in promoting the activities of Giugno Pisano. Institutional sponsors include Toscana Aeroporti, Acque spa, Chianti Banca, Forti Holding, the Port Authority of Pisa, Geofor, and Gruppo Reti Ambiente.

SIDE EVENTS AT GIUGNO PISANO 

• May 30 – June 2, Arci Matteotti Club, Riglione – “II Torneo Repubblica,” an international chess festival organized by the La Torre di Pisa Chess Club and the Arci Matteotti Club of Riglione, featuring top world champions. Tuesday, June 2, is dedicated to the chess fair.
   
• Thursday, June 4, 6:00 p.m. at the Church of Qualquonia – opening of a photography exhibition dedicated to Natale Gucci. Organized by the City of Pisa in collaboration with the Rotary Club of Pisa and the Amici di Pisa Association.
   
• Thursday, June 4 – Thursday, June 25 (from 9:00 p.m. to 11:50 p.m.), “Open Churches”: Pisan Romanesque. Special nighttime opening and free guided tours. Organized by the Accademia dei Disuniti, the Amici di Pisa association, Il Calamo, the Compagnia di Calci, the Compagnia dello Stile Pisano, Pisa tour guides, the National Association of Italian Sailors (A.N.M.I.), and the https://www.turismo.pisa.it/en/eventi/Pisan-Romanesque-Churches-open-at-night-2026
   
  • Thursday, June 4: “Piazza del Duomo as a Cosmic Clock”;
     
  • Thursday, June 11: “San Pierino Begs for Alms at the Cathedral”;
     
  • Thursday, June 18: “Porta Calcesana”;
     
  • Thursday, June 25: “The cemetery is born in Pisa”;

            Reservations are required for guided tours. Please call: +39 3386761609.

• Thursday, June 11, at 5:00 p.m. at the SMS Municipal Library, as part of the “Authors in the Mirror” series, organized by Astrolabiocultura, a book presentation of the following titles:
   
  • The Flowered Hat (Appointment in Samarra)” (bilingual edition), by Valeria Serofilli, with a critical commentary by Ivano Mugnaini.
     
  • “Trasmutazioni. Alchimie in caoslandia,” by Adam Vaccaro, with a conversation with the author led by Valeria Serofilli.
     

• Friday, June 12 – Sunday, June 14 – field hockey, national finals of the Under-12 Pre-Competitive Debutant Trophy.

• Friday, June 12 at 12:00 p.m., Cus Pisa sports facilities – press conference; (8:00 PM) Piazza del Duomo, opening ceremony.

• Sunday, June 14, starting at 9:00 a.m., the Arno River between the Canottieri Arno headquarters and Ponte di Mezzo – Tuscan Fick 200-meter Kayak Championship – “CONI Trophy” and “Gianluca Mannari Trophy.” Organized by the Canottieri Arno club.