In Pistoia, on July 25, 2025, the Giostra dell’Orso (Joust of the Bear) will be held in piazza del Duomo. A modern re-edition of the ancient “palio race”, organized on the occasion of the feast of San Jacopo (Saint James), patron saint of Pistoia, and documented since the first half of the 10th century.
A race of such importance that, over the centuries, it has been interrupted only in case of exceptional events, such as wars, epidemics or internal political struggles.
Click here to discover everything about the traditions which are linked to St. James in Pistoia, by immersing yourself in art, in traditions and in typical local food.
Tickets
Price: €15 seated | €10 standing
Tickets can be purchased from July 17 to July 25 (inclusive) at the ticket office in Via Tomba di Catilina, open from 9 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM. On Tuesday, July 22, and Wednesday, July 23 — the days of rehearsals — tickets are also available from 8:30 PM to 11:30 PM at Piazza Duomo, under the bell tower. On July 25, the ticket office will also be open from 8 PM to 10 PM in Via Roma.
Tickets can also be purchased by sending an email to info@comitatocittadinodipistoia.it to check availability and paying via bank transfer (IBAN: IT62V0306913830100000000706, SWIFT code: BCITITMMXXX). Tickets can then be collected at the desk in Piazza Duomo from July 17 to 25, during the hours of 9 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM.
In case of bad weather, the organizers may postpone the event up to three days after the original date. After that, the event will be considered cancelled, and ticket refunds will be available.
Details
Entry to the square will be prohibited for animals, and it will not be possible to bring any glass or metal containers; plastic bottles can be brought in without caps.
