On 13 February 1613, on the orders of the city priors, the Giostra della Quintana or Jousting Festival was held for the first time. The nobleman Ettore Tesorieri, chancellor and notary of the municipality, was instructed to write out the rules, giving form to one of the most famous and beloved medieval events in Italy. For many years this tradition was lost and was only resumed in 1946, turning the event- not to be missed- into one that fills the streets of the historic center of Foligno twice a year. Today, the tournament consists of two encounters: the first, called “the challenge” is held in June, and the second called “getting even” takes place in September. The most skilled riders of the city neighborhoods compete to put their lance through nine rings hanging on effigies set along the track, three each time around, with growing difficulty as the diameter of the rings is gradually reduced from ten then to eight and then to six centimeters.
Related to the same spirit as the Giostra della Quintana, is the Festival of Baroque Signs, which has taken place every year since 1981 between the end of June and the beginning of September. There is music, theater, exhibitions and cinema that recall signs of the Baroque. Another popular fest is Carnevale dei Ragazzi (mardi gras for youth), held during the last three Sundays before fat Tuesday when there are parades with elaborate floats- the most famous in the entire region.