There are always an abundance of events in Italy, whatever time you choose to visit. However, this Summer, those enjoying a holiday in Italy really will be spoiled when it comes to events that celebrate the very best of Italy’s food and drink. Here’s our low down on some of the most exciting food and wine festivals in Italy this Summer.
Festival del Brodetto, Fano, Le Marche (1-4 June 2023)
A brodetto is a delicious fish soup and it’s a traditional dish that is celebrated annually at the International Brodetto Festival each June. Chefs from all over Italy and further afield descend on Fano in Le Marche to celebrate this regional dish. With cooking demonstrations, book presentations, music, entertainment and, of course, plenty of tastings on offer, it’s a great festival to participate in. Take the opportunity to explore Fano whilst you are there. It’s a charming seaside resort that sits on Italy’s Adriatic coast. The town also boasts a rich and fascinating history dating back to Roman times but with impressive architecture in its historic centre that also goes back to the Medieval and Renaissance periods.
Sagra delle Fragole, Nemi, Lazio (4 June 2023)
This year the Strawberry Festival in Nemi, just south of Rome, celebrates its 90th birthday.
This day long festival centres around the Nemi strawberry, which, whilst small, is wonderfully fragrant. It is used in a number of local dishes, amongst them strawberry cake, strawberry gelato, fresh strawberry smoothies and more. The day long festival kicks off at ten o’clock in the morning and culminates in the distribution of free strawberries at six o’clock in the evening.
Festa Artusiana, Forlimpopoli (24 June – 2 July 2023)
Forlimpopoli was the birthplace of Pellegrino Artusi who is widely recognised as the father of modern Italian cuisine. The author of Science in the kitchen and the art of eating well, this important literary work certainly had a key role to play in giving a modern national identity, both gastronomically and linguistically, to modern day Italy. We have to admit that, for us, this festival is very much about the eating! After all, for nine consecutive evenings, the town is transformed, with piazzas, alleyways and streets filled with the opportunity to taste and sample the most delicious home-cooked cuisine. However, there is also a jam packed programme of other events including exhibitions, theatrical and musical performances and talks, many of which are attended by scholars and academics. The Artusi Prize will also be awarded to well-known personalities.
Aria di Festa, San Daniele, Fruili Venezia Giulia (30 June – 3 July 2023)
This festival celebrates the absolutely delicious proscuitto di San Daniele along with its superb wines. In 2023, it will be celebrating its 37th year and it’s great to see it back after a pause due to the covid pandemic. With plenty of cookery demonstrations, talks and workshops available to enjoy, it’s a superb opportunity to learn more about this regional speciality and, of course to sample it! Ham factories will open their doors to the public and it’s well worth making the most of the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour to learn about the production process.
This year, Aria di Festa is also joining forces with Folkest, a music festival that originated in San Daniele 45 years go. This will welcome talented musicians and performers from all over the world who will provide plenty of additional entertainment across the four days.
Stragusto Street Food Festival, Trapani, Sicily (26-30 July 2023)
This five day festival is a real feast for all the senses. Held in the Sicilian town of Stragusto, the focal point for the event is in the fish market there where typical products not just of Sicily but also further afield from places such as Tunisia, Madagascar and Romania are displayed and available to try and buy. The event sees the town transformed into an ancient market. The flavours, smells, colours and sounds of the street market is almost overwhelming.
Calici di Stelle, Italy (28 July – 30 August 2023)
This event takes place all over Italy, so hopefully wherever you’re holidaying, you will be able to find a local festival to attend. The festival is organised by the Associazione Citta del Vino, and it’s held in hundreds of Italian villages and wineries. It coincides with the peak of the Perseids meteor shower which is marked on the Night of San Lorenzo in Italy. People come together to enjoy tastings, picnics, romantic dinners, music and entertainment. It’s also a chance for wine lovers to meet the producers in person and to hear their stories. The one thing that the celebrations will always have in common is the fact that they’re all held under the stars and in the magical moonlight.
Mangialonga, La Morra, Langhe, Piedmont (27 August 2023)
This is a non competitive walk which takes place in the beautiful hills and vineyards of La Morra in the famous wine-producing region of the Langhe in Piedmont. Now in its 35th year, the walk is 4 km long and takes participants through the most idyllic landscape. En route, you will have plenty of opportunities to sample typical produce and wines. We think it’s a truly unique event.
Parma Ham festival, Parma, Langhirano (1-3 September 2023)
This annual celebration of Italy’s Parma Ham attracts tens of thousands of visitors each year, who have the opportunity to sample more than 1000 different types of ham.
It’s a great opportunity to enjoy a tour of one of the ham producing factories who participate in the Finestre Aperte (Open Doors). You will need to book tickets to join in but it’s well worth it. You will discover some of the 10 million parma hams that are produced each year by the 164 companies of the Parma Ham consortium. All are made in the same way today as they would have been 2000 years ago using just two ingredients – pig legs and sea salt.
Festival del Peperoncino, Calabria (6-10 September 2023)
The Diamante Chilli Pepper Festival has been held annually since it was founded by journalist Enzo Monaco in 1992. The five day festival revolves around the peperoncino, a hot chilli grown in this part of Calabria. Visitors will have the opportunity to discover all 500 varieties of this fiery food during the festival as well as enjoying plenty of the other entertainment on offer. Events culminate in the final of the Italian chilli eaters competition! Since Diamante is also famous for being the town of the murals, it’s an opportunity to also admire the many murals on display throughout the town. Many new murals tend to be painted during the festival period.
Cous Cous Fest, San Vito lo Capo, Sicily (15-24 September 2023)
The stunning seaside town of San Vito lo Capo plays host to Cous Cous Fest each year. First held in 1998, this annual festival now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. Chefs descend on San Vito lo Capo from all over Italy, the Mediterranean and further afield to participate in a competition to celebrate the very best and most creative couscous dishes. Every evening, visitors can enjoy a spectacular music and dance show and sample a variety of dishes made with couscous as their hero ingredient.
Cheese, Bra, Piedmont (15-18 September 2023)
As the name would suggest, this festival celebrates the delicious Bra cheese. During this four day biennial festival, cheese stands take over the charming town of Bra, attracting cheese lovers from all over the world. Organised by the acclaimed Slow Food group, emphasis is placed on local and regional producers who lovingly hand make their cheese using age old methods and raw milk, preserving the biodiversity of breeds and who are trying to do business under the threat of market forces and globalisation.