Every first weekend of August, the Apennine mountain plains between Umbria and Marche become alive with kilting enthusiasts worldwide. Montelago Celtic Festival is Italy's most prominent celebration honoring its rich Celtic heritage.
For two decades, this three-day celebration has seen over 20,000 enthusiastic participants from all across the world. Individuals of various backgrounds and cultures come together in a fun and festive spirit to make it a memorable occasion that everyone will surely enjoy. Not only does it bring people from Italy but also 22 other European nations as well as 18 international countries alike!
Music is at the beating heart of the Montelago Celtic Festival, with two stages pulsating until sunrise on Sunday. Friday night now belongs to passionate European Celtic Contest finalists who can finally live their dreams and perform on prominent Europe-wide stages in the following year if they triumph!
Moreover, the celebration provides an array of exciting activities to enjoy. From Celtic games (tossing the caber and tug of war) and recreated ancient battles to immersing in a traditional Celtic village atmosphere with 7-a-side rugby matches sanctioned by Italian Rugby Federation - all while being entertained with captivating music performances and dance workshops! Simultaneously there are also traditional weddings taking place at this event that you can witness, followed by shopping in an extensive market setting boasting over 70 stalls selling unique and creative products influenced by Celt culture.
Music is undoubtedly the highlight of the Montelago Celtic Festival, but Il Popolo di Montelago gives this event its life force. This community consists of diehard fans who look forward to this festival all year long as a reprieve from their regular lives and an opportunity to enjoy peace, joy, and beauty in nature. The locals refer fondly to the Montelago Community as "Il Popolo di Montelago."