What happens in June.

The Ravello Festival is one of Italy’s most prestigious music events, running from late June through early October with concerts in the open-air Belvedere of Villa Rufolo — a stage suspended 350 meters above the Amalfi Coast. Founded in 1953 to honor Wagner’s connection to Ravello, the program spans symphonic orchestras, chamber music, jazz, and contemporary works. The Concerto all’Alba (Dawn Concert) in August is the best known: the audience watches the sun rise over the sea while an orchestra plays. Performers have included the London Philharmonic, Riccardo Muti, and Ennio Morricone. The setting alone — stars above, sea below, music in between — is worth the ticket.

• Open-air stage 350m above the sea
• Dawn Concert in August
• International orchestras and soloists
• Wagner heritage since 1953

Tickets · Tickets 25-130 EUR depending on performance and seat. Book at ravellofestival.com well in advance — popular concerts sell out.

The Feast of Sant’Andrea is Amalfi’s most important celebration — a day-long homage to the patron saint whose relics rest in the cathedral crypt. The morning features a solemn mass and procession of the saint’s silver bust through the town. But the spectacle is the evening: fishermen race up the cathedral’s 62 steps carrying the heavy silver statue, while crowds cheer from the piazza below. Fireworks explode over the harbor, brass bands fill the streets, and food stalls sell seafood fritters, zeppole, and beer until late. The 'liquefaction of the manna' — a mysterious liquid that appears on the saint’s relics — is checked by the archbishop. A second celebration occurs on November 30.

• Fishermen racing up the cathedral steps
• Silver bust procession
• Fireworks over the harbor
• Liquefaction of the manna miracle

A historic rowing competition between the four medieval Maritime Republics of Italy: Amalfi, Genoa, Pisa, and Venice. Each city takes a turn hosting, so Amalfi sees it roughly every four years — but when it does, the entire town transforms. Eight-oar boats in the colors of each republic race along the coast, after a historical parade with hundreds of people in medieval dress. Amalfi’s blue-and-gold boat, named after Duke Roger, races under the roar of the hometown crowd. The harbor becomes an arena, and the pride of the ancient Amalfitani fills the air. Check the rotation year before planning around it.

• Four-republic rowing race
• Medieval costume parade with hundreds of participants
• Amalfi’s blue-and-gold boat
• Every-4-year hosting rotation