The Tournament for the
Opening of the Hunting Season
Since the beginning of time, wild birds have made annual migrations through the region of Tuscany. Held annually on the second Sunday in August, The Tournament for the Opening of the Hunting Season is a celebration of the opening of the traditional Montalcino season for fowl. On tournament day the streets and piazza are festive with hanging banners and flying flags. The music of drums and horns fill the air. Dancers and jesters weave through the crowds. As a pageantry of Lords, Ladies and their court makes its way to the fortress to announce the opening of the hunt, the air becomes charged with celebration. Archery Tournaments, street theatre, music, dancing, artisan vendors, and generous helpings of local cuisine and wine make for a day worth celebrating.

Feast of the Thrush

Held on the last Sunday in October, the Feast of the Thrush is a festival that celebrates the success of the hunting season. Royalty and their court of more than one-hundred, wearing 14th century costumes, move in ceremonious procession across the festive piazza to the steps of the ancient fortress where they receive from the hunters a bounty of Thrush to symbolize success of the hunt.

Music fills the air, hot coals are set ablaze beneath a myriad of local fare, corks are pulled from bottles of the world's best wine and a daylong celebration of Montalcino food and wine is underway.