Turin's June

In 2026 summer in Turin started in April, that's when some people started wearing their sandals and summer dresses. Then came May and we all went back to wearing socks, pants and jackets wondering when the heat would hit us all and how our summer would be.

Well, by now amici, you all know we've been having the hottest temperatures since 2003 and Turin is one of the Italian cities on red alert due to the highest temperatures and, with many black outs.

Via Po(704m/0.43ml) where the Turin University (1404) is located, Gran Madre church in the back

Climate change deniers in Italy have a very small choir to preach to, and even though many apartments and houses are still without a/c, more and more people just give in and get themselves il pinguino (yes, the penguin) - a portable multifunctional unit that cools and heats, dehumidifies and promotes air circulation. It is cheaper than a/c and given the political climate, the inflation, and the high energy costs, it comes handy in the winter months too.

Unfortunately, our Italian electric grids are old and can't support all these 'penguins' and A/C systems, and depending on the hood, and the hours, black outs are getting more and more frequent.

38C / 104F, they all were wearing multi-layered layered costumes

Heat waves apart, June has always been the perfect month to visit Turin as traditionally, we have nice long days with a very pleasant weather and our many piazzas turn into a whole public patio where everyone can sit down at a café or restaurant, to catch up with friends and family, enjoying delicious food and drinks while surrounded by our local beauty.

All Turin's museums are open and always have great collections, new exhibits and often presentations and special events. And then, naturally, in the blink of an eye, every year we quickly get to our 4th of July or la Festa di San Giovanni.

the costumes are very detailed and accessorized

St John the Baptist is Turin's patron saint and since the dawn of the times, Turin has celebrated him on June 23 and 24.

Since after covid19, the program of the celebrations has slightly changed: one year we had a drone show, the two parades in historical costumes are now only one, but the fireworks, the music, the traditional bonfire and the classic cars are always in.

This is a 2 day event that celebrates the whole city and engages its people; if the city council invested in the international promotion of Turin, foreign visitors wouldn't miss it for the world. In fact, all our Turin Epicurean Capital guests loved it a lot!!

However, besides the dates, in perfect Italian style, the program is never communicated with much advance, and more than ever this year, it was hard to find some specific information - Turin and the Turinese are by nature shy and hate to boast...

Turin loves doxies

Our celebrations span over two days, not just one so you will need to be in town both days, even better when a week-end can be attached!

June 23 is especially important for the double parade in historical costumes that crosses the downtown streets and the bonfire. 

The first parade ends at the city hall where the second one leaves after collecting the mayor of Turin who leads it to Piazza Castello - where the royal palaces are located.

Yes, we have 2 royal palaces: one for the kings and one for the queens.

the bonfire in Piazza Castello

The bonfire is prepared in Piazza Castello and it has a papier maché bull on top because as per tradition, when the flames reach it, it falls and the direction where the bull falls toward has a good or bad luck meaning.

On June 23 2026, the bull fell in the direction of Porta Nuova and it's a very good omen for the city as it means that we'll have good luck.

Gianduia and Giacometta

The parade in historical costumes is always fun to witness: different folklore associations wear different costumes to show Italian fashion along the centuries from the Middle Ages to WWI.

Different levels of society and professionals are represented: kings and queens, crusaders, peasants, aristocracy, doctors, nurses, university students and of course Gianduia with hus girlfriend Giacometta aka the historical characters celebrated during the Mardi Gras season - originated in the Middle Ages ' Commedia dell' Arte where they represented Turin, its people and stereotype.

perfect 1700s atmosphere

You can also see our 1700s soldiers who always commemorate our Pietro Micca parading around downtown on the 2nd Saturday of every September. By the way, the Pietro Micca Museum is the perfect museum for kids and heat waves because it is along the Turin's underground tunnels that helped Pietro saving Turin and Italy from the French siege in 1706!!

Turin's mayor: Dr Stefano Lo Russo, Phd in geo-engineering with Gianduia

The day of St John's the Baptist is June 24 and this year we have many events organized along the river: Po River the Italian Mississippi River. Visits, a regatta and the dragon boat race take place till 6:30pm when the party starts.

Usually the party includes a concert in Piazza Vittorio - largest open square in Europe, by the river, but in 2026 something new was organized: a 3h dj set with 6 djs making music from 6 balconies spread out around the piazza.

Finally at 11:30pm there is a unique firework show.

These fireworks are always spectacular and the whole show is free!

the star of the Turin parade

Naturally, the heatwave isn't making things easy: the folklore groups have to withstand super high temperatures in thick and warm costumes without sprinklers or outdoor A/C. As for the lucky locals who can afford leaving the city taking advantage of the holiday, they find relief up in the mountains or at the sea - but this year it is hot everywhere!

To be fair though, we must share that before 11am, even during these dog days of summer, if you keep the shade while walking around there is a sweet cool breeze and by 9pm the steam and heat go a bit down.

a break while waiting for the mayor

Despite all though, climate experts are seriously worried this year because we aren' experiencing a 'temporary wave' as usual, but a prolonged heated event that is drying up our soil, water resources and agriculture. Things are supposed to get better by the beginning of July but... this 'cruel summer' has yet in store more heatwaves...

Nevertheless amici, as we are all in the same boat, you may as well hop over to Turin, join our celebrations and enjoy our very own summer delicacy: ramassin plums - grown and sold only in Piedmont!! Nowhere else!! and only for about 5 weeks between June and July. 

Turin is waiting for you and you'll see for yourselves how Turin never disappoints, not even when it is unreasonably hot because it is in the hottest hours of the day that you can find shelter in our beautiful museums, and you can keep fresh with our delicious gelatos, cocktails, mocktails and delicious local produce!

our very own Turin style is a natural Shonda Rhimes' natural set

Email Lucia: turinepi@gmail.com 

for all your: 

• travel planning, tours, experiences, tastings
• private classes: cooking, Italian, yoga, pilates available online too
• relocation services and cross-cultural communication workshops available online too

and more!

Vermouth's grandchild

This year the summer in Turin officially kicked off in April. However, as customary, we were all skeptical the warm temperatures would become normal, and this is how in May, they dropped again to suddenly reach 95F / 35C within a week.

And when the summer comes, Italians enjoy eating out with their friends, aperitif and apericena take a whole new meaning! This is especially true in Turin and Piedmont where the aperitif rite was born, as well as the most famous Italian cocktails, aperitifs, liqueurs and brands.

Turin has the tallest and widest arcades in Italy, perfect for an aperitif

Spring gnocchi

Happy Easter 🐇to all our friends who are celebrating it and happy spring to all of you coming out of the cold months. As you know, in Italy, our fashion and tables follow the weather and so, we are sharing one of our 🌷 spring gnocchi recipes.

Our 🎃pumpkin gnocchi recipe is here and our 🐰 ginger carrot gnocchi recipe is here. 

This recipe can easily be done by young and old, it is relaxing, full of color, fibers and flavors! Just like most of our risottos, you can make it vegan, vegetarian, flexitarian - omnivore / carnivore, lactose and gluten-free too.

For best flavors, you need fresh ingredients and naturally you also need time as you'll be hand making these beautifully delicious dumplings.

The Queen's pearls

Dearest Gentle Reader,

if the royal elegance and rumors of the ton are your cup of tea, you loved The Law according to Lidia Poët and are longing season 3, reading about our very own Margaret of Savoy or Margherita di Savoia, the very first Queen of the United Kingdom of Italy, will definitely bring you much joy.

She was much more than the diamond of the season: she literally built the jewels of the Italian crown! 

Born in the 1850s, Lidia and Margherita are the 2 faces of the same coin and symbols of the genie of Turin and Piedmont of that era, as well as of Italian modernity. Each one in her own very personal way molded different aspects of the Italian customs and history, like very few other women in the world. 

Queen Margaret wasn't as ahead of her times as Lidia Poët yet she did understand what Italy needed and knew how to provide many small meaningful changes on different issues that eventually resulted into a general change of Italian society.

Queen Margaret's portrait in the Queen's Villa, Turin

Chablais Palace

As Turin we are naturally born Bridgerton 😎this post is about Palazzo Chiablese or Chablais Palace where Queen Margarita of Savoy AKA the very first Queen of Italy - the one pizza was dedicated to - was born. 

Savoy historical fun facts

For the next posts, embark with us on a glamorous and fascinating journey of pearls, architecture, fashion and mountain life around Turin and Piedmont. And to better share our bountiful local culture, we are taking a look at some fun facts of our local history and its influence on the rest of Southern Europe. 

chocolate and arcades are 2 symbols of Turin since the 1600s 

Turin Stocking Stuffers

Happy Saint Lucy's Day to all those who celebrate December 13th, including our very own Lucia of Turinepi!!

Besides Scandinavia and St Lucia, St Lucia's is a festive day in many parts of Italy where she brings the Christmas presents, leaving Santa just some small packages to fill up his stockings.

Originally from Syracuse, Sicily, during the Roman times, Lucia was persecuted and martyrized because she wouldn't renounce her faith. Her relics traveled to many places and because her name means light, her story finally merged with the Winter Solstice and this is how she make it up to Northern Europe where she's represented wearing a crown of candles and bringing light in the 'longest dark day of the year'.

If you can read Italian, enjoy our short story here.

Fiat 500 where the T stands for Torino