Italy is much more than just a tourist destination; it’s a foodie’s paradise where culinary tradition is revered and celebrated throughout the country. From fresh pasta and pizza to seafood and gelato, there’s no shortage of culinary delights to enjoy in Italy.
We've compiled a list of the top 20 food festivals in Italy, along with the dates and locations of each sagra, the local festivals. Get ready for a unique gastronomic journey as we explore these events that celebrate Italy's rich culinary heritage.
1. Truffle Festival – Alba
The Truffle Festival, also known as Fiera del Tartufo, takes place in the city of Alba, in the region of Piedmont, in Italy, in the months of October and November. The festival celebrates the highly valued white truffle, found in the nearby hills. Visitors can sample truffle dishes from local restaurants, watch cooking demonstrations and even participate in truffle hunts with local hunters and their dogs.
When: October and November
Website: Truffle Fair
2. Chocolate Festival – Perugia
The Chocolate Festival, or Eurochocolate, takes place in the city of Perugia, in the Umbria region of Italy, in October. The festival celebrates all things chocolate, with vendors selling everything from chocolate bars to chocolate sculptures. Visitors can also participate in cooking demonstrations, chocolate tastings and chocolate-making workshops.
When: October
Website: Eurochocolate Perugia
3. Pizza Festival – Naples
The Pizza Festival, or Pizzafest, takes place in the city of Naples, in the Campania region of Italy, in September. The festival celebrates the city's famous Neapolitan pizza, with vendors selling all types of pizza, from the classic Margherita to more creative toppings. Visitors can also watch pizza-making demonstrations and competitions.
When: May
Website: Pizzafest Naples
4. Gelato Festival – Florence
The Gelato Festival, or Festival del Gelato, takes place in the city of Florença, in the Tuscany region of Italy, during the summer months. The festival celebrates the Italian art of gelato making, with vendors selling all types of flavors, from classic chocolate and vanilla to more unusual options. Visitors can also watch gelato-making demonstrations and tastings.
When: During the summer months
Website: Ice Cream Festival
5. Fish Festival – Camogli
The Sagra del Pesce, or Fish Festival, takes place in the coastal town of Camogli, in the Liguria region of Italy, in May. The festival celebrates the city's fishing tradition, with vendors selling a variety of seafood dishes, from grilled fish to seafood risotto. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and participate in the city's famous fish throwing competition.
When: May
Website: Sagra del Pesce Camogli
6. Flavor Fair – Turin
The Salone del Gusto, or Flavor Fair, takes place in the city of Turin, in the Piedmont region, in Italy, every two years. The festival celebrates Italian food and wine, with vendors selling a variety of products, from cheeses and sausages to wine and olive oil. Visitors can also participate in cooking demonstrations, tastings and workshops.
When: Every two years. Usually in September
Website: Salone del Gusto Turin
7. Festa della Polenta – Pontida
The Polenta Festival takes place in the city of Pontida, in the Lombardy region of Italy, in September. The festival celebrates the traditional Italian dish of polenta, a cornmeal-based delicacy often served with meat (braised veal) or vegetables. Visitors can sample different polenta dishes, watch cooking demonstrations, and enjoy live music and entertainment.
When: October
Website: Festa della Polenta Pontida
8. Wine Festival – Montepulciano
The Wine Festival, or Festa del Vino, takes place in the city of MontepulcianoThe Montepulciano Festival takes place in the Tuscany region of Italy in August. The festival celebrates the town's famous Vino Nobile di Montepulciano wine, with vendors selling wine from local wineries. Visitors can also participate in tastings, guided winery tours, and enjoy live music and entertainment.
When: August
Website: Wine Festival
9. Cheese Festival – Bra
The Cheese Festival, or Cheese, takes place in the city of Bra, in the Piedmont region, in Italy, every two years, in September. The festival celebrates Italian cheeses, with vendors selling a variety of cheeses from across Italy. Visitors can also participate in cheese-making demonstrations, tastings and workshops.
When: Every two years in September
Website: Cheese Bra
10. Porcini Mushroom Festival – Borgotaro
The Porcini Mushroom Festival, or Sagra del Fungo Porcino, takes place in the town of Borgotaro, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Italy, in September. The festival celebrates the local porcini mushroom, with stalls selling dishes made with the mushroom, such as mushroom risotto and grilled mushrooms. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and participate in guided mushroom picking tours.
When: September
Website: Porcini Mushroom Festival
11. Olive Oil Festival – Citta di Castello
The Olive Oil Festival, or Festa dell'Olio, takes place in the town of Citta di Castello, in the Umbria region of Italy, in November. The festival celebrates local olive oil, with vendors selling various types of olive oil from the region. Visitors can also participate in cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When: November
Website: Oil Festival
12. Amalfi Lemon Festival
The Amalfi Lemon Festival, or Sagra del Limone, takes place in the city of Amalfi, in the Campania region of Italy, in the summer. The festival celebrates the city's famous lemons, with stalls selling lemon-based products such as lemon gelato and limoncello. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When: During the summer
Website: Lemon Festival
13. Cod Festival – Sandrigo
The Cod Festival, or Sagra del Baccalà, takes place in the town of Sandrigo, in the Veneto region of Italy, in December. The festival celebrates the traditional Italian dish of salted cod. Visitors can sample different cod dishes, watch culinary demonstrations, and enjoy live music and entertainment.
When: September
Website: Sagra del Baccalà
14. Artichoke Festival – Ladispoli
The Artichoke Festival, or Sagra del Carciofo Romanesco, takes place in the city of Ladispoli, in the Lazio region of Italy, in the spring. The festival celebrates local artichokes, with stalls selling artichoke-based dishes such as fried artichokes and artichoke risotto. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When: April
Website: Roman Artichoke Festival
15. Wine and Grape Festival – Marino
The Wine and Grape Festival, or Sagra dell'Uva, takes place in the city of Marino, in the Lazio region of Italy, in October. The festival celebrates local wine and grapes, with stalls selling various types of wine from the region. Visitors can also participate in tastings, guided vineyard tours, and enjoy live music and entertainment.
When: October
Website: Grape Festival
16. Saffron Festival – San Gavino Monreale
The Saffron Festival, or Festa dello Zafferano, takes place in the town of San Gavino Monreale, in the Sardinia region of Italy, in November. The festival celebrates local saffron, saffron-based products such as saffron honey and saffron risotto. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When: November
Website: Zafferano Festival
17. Chestnut Festival – Montella
The Chestnut Festival, or Festa delle Castagne, takes place in the town of Montella, in the Campania region of Italy, in autumn. The festival celebrates local chestnuts, with stalls selling chestnut-based products such as roasted chestnuts and chestnut flour. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When: Autumn
Website: Chestnut Festival
18. Pistachio Festival – Bronte
Bronte celebrates the excellence of its land, the pistachio. The Pistachio Festival, or Sagra del pistacchio, dedicates two entire weekends to celebrating Bronte's green pistachios, grown in the volcanic lands of Etna. These lands have always produced high quality pistachios, to the point of receiving the Protected Designation of Origin (DOP). During the festival, visitors can taste a variety of pistachio-based delicacies, participate in cooking demonstrations and learn more about this incredible fruit.
When: October
Website: Pistacchio Sacred
19. Pesto Festival – Genoa
The Pesto Festival, or Festival del Pesto, takes place in the city of Genoa, in the Liguria region of Italy, in the summer. The festival celebrates the local specialty of pesto, with vendors selling pesto-based dishes such as pesto pasta and pesto sandwiches. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When: Summer
Website: Pesto Festival
20. Asparagus Festival – Bassano del Grappa
The Sagra dell'Asparago, or Asparagus Festival, takes place in the town of Bassano del Grappa, in the Veneto region of Italy, in May. The festival celebrates local asparagus, with vendors selling asparagus-based dishes such as asparagus risotto and grilled asparagus. Visitors can also watch cooking demonstrations and tastings.
When: May
Website: Sagra dell'Asparago Bassano del Grappa
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