by InTrieste
Along the curve of the Adriatic coast in Friuli Venezia Giulia, where limestone cliffs meet turquoise water, Ferragosto — Italy’s mid-August holiday — unfolds not only as a day off, but as a week-long celebration.
At Parco Caravella, the festivities begin Monday, Aug. 11, with the Exes Band bringing rock and pop classics to the shoreline at sunset, a lively overture to days of concerts, games and late-night dancing. The following afternoon offers a kaleidoscopic twist: group dances, games and bursts of colored powder turning the seaside lawn into a temporary rainbow.
On Wednesday, Aug. 13, the mood shifts toward wonder, with an all-ages magic and illusion show, complete with audience participation. But the week’s crescendo begins Thursday night, when DJ Enzo Zippo revives his much-loved Cavalchina Estiva, an all-night dance party that spills from the stage across the waterfront, soundtracked by an irresistible mix of pop hits.
Ferragosto itself, Friday, Aug. 15, will be a double celebration. At Parco Caravella, Mr. Zippo presides over a blend of music, cabaret and a midnight countdown, while the nearby Base Club Experience hosts Matteo Diamante, a television personality turned high-energy vocalist, for a marathon set running into the early morning.
The following evening, Saturday, brings a lighter note: a “Balloon Party” with hundreds of colorful inflatables drifting above the crowd, followed by an international turn at Base Club with Mister Levier, a Dubai-based DJ whose sleek, global sound has made him a sought-after figure in nightlife capitals.
On Sunday, Aug. 17, Parco Caravella closes the week with When I Was Young, a nostalgic tour through the rock, new wave and dance tracks of the ’70s and ’80s performed by Zippo & The Followers, capped by a final DJ set.
For those seeking a gentler holiday rhythm, the Cohiba Lounge Beach Bar offers a more languid take on Ferragosto week. Nestled on a private stretch of sand, it serves breakfast, seaside lunches, sunset aperitivi and candlelit dinners. On Aug. 15, Maury Fly and Sara J take over the turntables for a late-afternoon DJ set. The following two days feature a rotating lineup from Paolo Barbato’s roster, including Barbato himself, paired with cocktails, sparkling wine and seafood crudi.
By the time the last note fades and the last glass is raised, Baia di Sistiana’s Ferragosto will have been less a single holiday than a many-colored tide — part beach party, part cultural showcase, and entirely Italian in its joy.
