Eel Festival

During the weekends at the end of September and the beginning of October (28-29 September, 5-6-12-13 October), Comacchio, the town on the water, hosts a famous festival dedicated to the Queen of the Valleys: the eel.

The programme includes markets, concerts and shows for all ages, literary and cultural events, excursions in the valleys, guided tours of the town and, of course, the tasting of delicious eel and fish dishes.

National Porcini Mushroom Festival

The first weekend of October (4-5-6 October 2024) sees the return of the National Porcini Mushroom Fair in Albareto, the village in the Parma Apennines considered one of the porcini’s homelands.

Twinned with the International Fair of the White Truffle of Alba, the fair offers a rich programme of events and entertainment.

Mast Còt

The weekend of 5-6 October 2024 sees the return of Mast Còt in Spilamberto, the event celebrating the moment when Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena PDO comes to life.

The main event of the weekend is the traditional rite of boiling the must outdoors in the characteristic “paioli”, slowly cooked by the masters of the Consorzio.
Also not to be missed are the guided tastings of balsamic vinegar by the masters and the market dedicated to the sale of cooked must.

The event is organised by the Museum of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar in collaboration with the Municipality of Spilamberto and the Consortium of Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena.

Chestnuts and Memories Festival

On Saturday 5 and Sunday 6 October 2024, the evocative medieval village of Castell’Arquato comes alive with the traditional Festa delle Castagne e dei Ricordi (Chestnuts and Memories Festival): a day to relive the atmosphere and flavours of the past, linked to the local farming tradition.

In addition to the markets in the village streets, there will be re-enactments of old trades, a tractor parade through the village streets and many moments of entertainment.

Mushrooms and Truffles Fair and Grape Festival

On Sunday, 6 October 2024, the Mushroom and Truffle Exhibition and Grape Festival returns to the streets of the village of Bobbio (one of the most beautiful villages in Italy and one of the Touring Club Orange Flag villages) in the Trebbia Valley, as it does every autumn.

From early morning, the village comes alive with a market of typical local products and wines, while themed menus are offered in the restaurants.

Throughout the day at the central stand it is possible to discover how to recognise mushrooms; activities such as the truffle dog race and the chestnut festival are on the programme.

National Fair of the Prized White Truffle

Every Sunday in October (6-13-20-27 October 2024), the streets and alleys of the picturesque village of Sant’Agata Feltria will host the National Fair of the Prized White Truffle, dedicated to the precious local tuber or, as defined by Pico in 1788, the Tuber Magnatum, the tuber of the magnates, the rich lords.

Here is the full programme of events, including markets, artisans at work, travelling exhibitions, competitions and awards.

October Food Festivals

Every Sunday in October and the first Sunday in November, the spa town of Bagno di Romagna comes alive with a calendar of festivals dedicated to local recipes and products.

All the events include a market with typical products, entertainment, music and street artists.

Chestnut Festival

Traditionally, the Sundays in October (6, 13, 20 and 27 October 2024) in Montefiore Conca are dedicated to the autumn fruit par excellence: the chestnut.

The Chestnut Festival, with its food stalls and markets, is also the perfect opportunity to discover the imposing fortress.

Montefiore is considered the medieval capital of the Conca Valley and one of the most fascinating and well-preserved Malatesta towns.

Typical Romagna wine festival

From Thursday 3rd to Sunday 6th October 2024, Cotignola, a town in the hinterland of Ravenna built on the banks of the river Senio, will once again host the festival that pays tribute to the Cagnina novella, with its fresh and fruity taste, and to the other wines of Romagna, especially Sangiovese and Trebbiano.

Amidst music, folk dances and the ritual of crushing the grapes barefoot, there is also the opportunity to taste local gastronomic specialities and all the most typical dishes of Romagna cuisine.

Festival of Forgotten Fruits

On the two central weekends of October (12-13 and 19-20 October 2024), the date with the market of local autumn products and ancient fruits returns to the streets of Casola Valsenio, a charming village in the province of Ravenna.

The Festa dei Frutti Dimenticati (Festival of Forgotten Fruits) offers a programme entirely dedicated to the rural life of the past, rediscovering local agricultural traditions through tastings, exhibitions and workshops.

Pumpkin and Bacarona Grape Festival

On the second weekend of October (12-13 October 2024), Borgo Rivola, near Riolo Terme in the province of Ravenna, will host the Sagra della Zucca e dell’Uva Bacarona (Festival of the Pumpkin and the Bacarona Grape), a type of red table grape that ripens in October.

Typical local dishes such as the trio of pumpkin, chestnut and potato tortelli can be tasted at the food stalls, and there is musical entertainment, bonfires in the courtyard, roast chestnuts and mulled wine.

Chestnut Festival

From the second Sunday in October and for the following two Sundays (13-20-27 October 2024), the mountain village of Zocca, in the province of Modena, hosts the traditional Chestnut Festival.

The streets of the town centre will be lined with food stalls, a craft market, roast chestnuts and mulled wine, all accompanied by music and entertainment for young and old.

The festival highlights the link between Zocca and the production of chestnuts, a precious forest fruit that has always been important for the people of the Apennines, a link that is also underlined by the presence of a centuries-old chestnut tree in the area and the Chestnut Museum.

Castel del Rio PGI Chestnut Festival

On the Sundays in October (6-13-20 October 2024) the traditional Sagra del Marrone (Chestnut Festival) returns to Castel del Rio.

Castel del Rio is a mountain village in the province of Bologna, in the Santerno Valley, surrounded by forests and centuries-old chestnut groves.

During the festival, which takes place in the centre of the village, it is possible to browse the stalls of the typical products market and to taste – both in the stalls set up in the square and in the various local restaurants – the many local dishes in which chestnuts and chestnut flour are the main ingredients.

Tartufesta and Tartòfla Festivals

Tartufesta and Tartòfla are the traditional events that animate the towns of the Bolognese hinterland on weekends between the end of October and the beginning of November, with markets, themed menus and many initiatives centred on the precious white truffle of the Colli Bolognesi.

A fun way to spend a day among the unforgettable aromas and flavours of the area’s food and wine tradition.

Here are the dates for 2024:

• 26-27 October and 1-2-3 November 2024 Tartufesta at Sasso Marconi
• 26-27 October and 1-2-3-9-10-16-17 November 2024 Tartòfla in Savigno
• 2 November 2024 Tartufesta at Campolo (Grizzana Morandi)
• 10 November 2024 Tartufesta in Castel di Casio

Marola’s Chestnut Festival

On the last three Sundays of October (13-20-27 October 2024), Marola, a hamlet in the municipality of Carpineti in the province of Reggio Emilia, will host the traditional Chestnut Festival, which dates back to October 1964.

Marola’s was the first of the festivals dedicated to the chestnut in the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines and one of the first in Italy, with the aim of rediscovering and valorising a forest product that, until a few decades ago, was the basis of the local diet.

The programme includes guided walks through chestnut groves and metati, orienteering excursions, roast chestnuts with mulled wine and many activities for children.

Il profumo del mosto cotto

On Sunday 13th October 2024, the streets and squares of the centre of Soliera will host the return of Il profumo del mosto cotto, an autumn festival celebrating the food and wine traditions, history and rural culture of the area.

The programme includes markets, traditional dishes, demonstrations of ancient crafts, guided tours, shows and initiatives for children.

Marecchia Valley Marrone Fair

Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 October 2024 in Talamello, a picturesque village in the province of Rimini, the Marecchia Valley Marrone Fair returns, a prized variety typical of the area since medieval times.

On sale at the festival are ‘ballotte’ (chestnuts boiled in water) and ‘caldarroste’ (chestnuts cooked on the grill using the traditional pan with holes), but also cakes and focaccia, first and second courses based on this autumn product.

Chestnut Festival

On Sunday 13 and Sunday 20 October 2024, Alfero will host the event that celebrates the most delicious fruit of the autumn season: the Chestnut Festival.

Gastronomic, commercial and refreshment stalls will be set up along the town’s main street, where you can sample typical chestnut products.

Don’t miss the chance to taste ‘castagnaccio’, a traditional local dessert, and roasted chestnuts washed down with the local Cagnina wine.

Black Truffle of Fragno National Fair

Every Sunday, from 13 October to 17 November 2024, Calestano will host the Black Truffle of Fragno National Fair.

In addition to the usual stalls selling typical autumn products, numerous activities are planned, while throughout the fair the restaurants of Calestano and the surrounding area offer traditional dishes based on the delicious local truffle.

La Bonissima

From Friday 18 to Sunday 20 October 2024, in the unique and evocative setting of Modena‘s Piazza Grande, the high food and wine market exhibition La Bonissima, the festival of taste and typical Modenese products, returns.

As every year, food lovers will be able to discover and purchase exclusive products directly from the producers, as well as taste typical specialities prepared on the spot, such as fried gnocco, chestnut ciacci, tigelle, borlenghi and many more.

‘Ste Sroden

On Sunday 20 October 2024, Fanano returns to the traditional appointment with ‘Ste Sroden, which in Modenese dialect means this autumn.

For the occasion, this delightful village in the Modena Apennines dresses up in autumn colors; in a magical atmosphere of leaves and chestnuts, local restaurateurs set up stalls serving seasonal specialities based on mushrooms, chestnuts, pumpkin and much more, from first courses to desserts.

Black Truffle of Ceno Valley Fair

On the last two weekends of October (19-20 and 26-27 October 2024), Bedonia will host the Truffle Fair, the ideal opportunity to discover the black truffle of the Ceno Valley.

The programme includes a food & wine market with local producers, themed menus in the restaurants of the Ceno Valley and many events dedicated to the precious local tuber.

Polenta, Porchetta di Mora Romagnola and Castrato Festivals

On Sunday 20 and Sunday 28 October 2023, the picturesque village of Brisighella, nestled in the hills of Faenza, will host two festivals dedicated to local products: the Porchetta di Mora Romagnola and the Agnellone & Castrato Festivals.
The streets of the town are lined with food stalls offering themed menus, a market of typical products, entertainment and music.

Moreover, on the first three Sundays of October 2024, in San Cassiano, a hamlet near Brisighella, the traditional Polenta Festival returns, with gastronomy and folklore.

GiovinBacco

GiovinBacco. Sangiovese in Festa is the largest wine event dedicated to Sangiovese and Romagna wines in general. Three days, from Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October 2024, in the heart of Ravenna dedicated to good wine and good food from Romagna.

Chestnut Festival

On the last weekend of October (26-27 October 2024) Montecreto, Città del Castagno in the province of Modena, will host the Chestnut Festival, an unmissable autumn event in the Modena Apennines.

The festival takes place along the main street of the town and in the picturesque Parco dei Castagni, the ideal setting for this event. In the Parco dei Castagni, one of the symbolic places of Montecreto, there are trees that seem to date back to the time of Matilde di Canossa.

The programme includes food stalls, music and entertainment for children, as well as the opportunity to taste local specialities such as chestnut ‘ciacci’.

Fish Festival

From lunch on Thursday 31 October to dinner on Sunday 3 November 2024, the canal port, the squares and the streets of Cesenatico‘s historical centre will once again be a triumph of aromas and flavours, with grilled fish, fried fish and traditional seafood dishes: Il Pesce fa Festa, the event dedicated to the main product of the local cuisine – the fish of the Adriatic Sea – returns, as it does every year.