The weekend of July 24-26, 2026 is packed with culinary events, but there is more. Numerous village fairs take place over the weekend — some already underway — and they are opportunities for sociability and fun, as well as for discovering local dishes and specialties.
From Romagna lasagna to Ligurian snails, from the clams of the Po Delta to Lazio gnocchi, there is truly something for every palate. In addition to the good food, there are many events open to all, such as the Witch Torchlight on the trails in Trentino to walks through a UNESCO World Heritage beech forest, from football tournaments to live music practically everywhere every evening.
We have selected the ten unmissable events, from North to South across Italy, and here are our recommendations.
Scorticata – The Hill of Pleasures in Torriana (RN)
Scorticata returns to Torriana, from July 22 to 24, with The Hill of Pleasures, the festival in the village organized by the Pro Loco of Torriana and Montebello together with the Municipality of Poggio Torriana. Three evenings dedicated to gastronomy, to local wines, to music and performances, to celebrate local identity and excellence. From 7:00 PM until late, the village will come alive with the famous “street cooks,” wine tastings and cellars, gastronomic specialties, live music and entertainment. The festival will always feature Scorticata’s piadina, cured meats, artisanal bread, farmer’s ice cream, craft breweries, desserts, and a cocktail area.
Calici di Stelle 2026 in Umbria
From July 24 to August 16, 2026, the Calici di Stelle event will bring to light 22 wineries and three municipalities in Umbria through tastings, vineyard picnics, dinners under the stars, concerts and stargazing. The event of the Movimento Turismo del Vino Umbria aims to showcase vineyards, villages and hills through the glasses and the stories of its territories. No fewer than 22 wineries will open their doors with a dispersed calendar of appointments that will span the entire region. The theme chosen for this year is “Toast to Life!”.
At the Table Among the Frescoes in Arcumeggia (VA)
Sunday, July 26, Arcumeggia hosts a day devoted to conviviality, tradition and beauty with “At the Table Among the Frescoes,” the event that transforms the village’s streets, famed for being an open-air museum, into a large shared table where you can enjoy lunch prepared by the volunteers of the Pro Loco and experience the pleasure of gathering in one of Lombardy’s most picturesque towns, where art, culture and authentic flavors come together. The day opens at 11:00 with the awards for the project “Arcumeggia Seen Through the Eyes of Children”; the artworks by the young participants will be displayed along the streets, offering visitors a special glimpse of the painted village. A perfect opportunity to spend a Sunday enjoying good cuisine, a unique town and the warm hospitality of the community.
Gnocchi Festival with the Iron Skewers in Soriano nel Cimino (VT)
From July 23 to 26, Soriano nel Cimino hosts the 4th Festa degli Gnocchi co’i Ferro. It isn’t just a fair, but a chance to live the town, come together and rediscover its traditions. Among the events not to miss, Friday at 7:00 PM the dinner with Gnocchi co’i Ferro; Saturday the 25th, a wealth of activities, including guided walks, games, readings, yoga, e-bikes and, in the afternoon, Salifaggeta, a race that combines sport with a love for the UNESCO Beech Forest. In the evening, everyone sits down to eat. Sunday, lunch and dinner to savor the authentic Gnocchi co’i Ferro, prepared according to Soriano’s tradition.
Snail and Skewers Festival in Villa Viani (IM)
Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 July 2026, in Villa Viani, a hamlet of the Municipality of Pontedassio, the 47th Sagra della Lumaca e degli Spiedini returns, one of the summer’s most awaited Ligurian events born in the Seventies. Two evenings dedicated to good food, music and entertainment, with gastronomic specialties to enjoy together. All ingredients are prepared fresh on site, daily, following ancient recipes handed down within families. And then handmade pasta dishes and desserts baked in the oven.
Trout Festival in Rivodutri (RI)
Friday 24 and Saturday 25 July 2026, Rivodutri hosts the Sagra della Trota e del Gambero di Fiume, two evenings dedicated to the territory’s authentic flavors in the evocative setting of the Santa Susanna Spring. The stars of the festival will be two excellences of the local gastronomic tradition, presented as tasty specialties prepared according to local recipes. An event focused on good cooking, conviviality and the promotion of local traditions, set in one of the most fascinating places in the province of Rieti. From 7:30 PM to 11 PM.
Clam Festival in Goro (FE)
Back in the Ferrara area, the 26th Clam Festival returns, one of the Po Delta’s most anticipated gastronomic events. The celebration kicked off last weekend, and for six evenings the star feature is the authentic Goro clam, a regional excellence and symbol of the local fishing tradition. A rich gastronomic stand offers dishes based on this precious mollusk, complemented by music, entertainment and moments devoted to discovering the traditions related to the Sacca di Goro and the work of the fishermen. An opportunity to savor the authentic flavors of the Delta del Po and to get to know up close one of the most representative products of this remarkable territory.
Lasagna Festival in Portico di Romagna (FC)
On Saturday July 25, 2026, Portico di Romagna hosts the premiere edition of the Lasagna Festival, the new gastronomic event organized by the Pro Loco to celebrate one of the most beloved dishes of the Italian tradition. The festival will present several interpretations of lasagna, each capable of telling the flavors of the territory and the richness of Romagna’s cuisine. The food stand will open at 7:30 PM, offering visitors the opportunity to sample specialties prepared with traditional ingredients and recipes. From 9:30 PM, the evening will continue with the Zebra e Pois concert-show, which will enliven the square with music and entertainment. A special occasion to spend an evening focused on good food, conviviality and fun.
Witch Torchlight in Ruffrè-Mendola (TN)
In Ruffrè the evocative Witch Torchlight returns, an event that transforms the Rio Diavola path into a magical journey of mystery, legends and magic. The meeting point is scheduled for 7:00 PM at the Pro Loco. From there, lantern in hand, participants will start along the trail accompanied by witches, Krampus and Anguane, legendary creatures that will make the experience even more engaging. The walk will end near the enchanting Ruffrè Ponds, where a captivating fire and magic show will light up the night. An unforgettable experience designed to let families dream and give children a night to remember, filled with fantasy, nature and local traditions.
Pallotte Cace e Ove Festival in Santa Maria Imbaro (CH)
From 24 to 26 July 2026, in Santa Maria Imbaro the XVII Sagra delle Pallotte Cace e Ove returns, one of the Abruzzo’s summer highlights. For three evenings, starting at 8:00 PM and ending at midnight, Piazza della Gioventù will come alive with the scent of traditional pallotte cace e ove, symbols of Abruzzo cuisine, accompanied by music, conviviality and plenty of fun. A special opportunity to experience the territory’s authentic flavors and enjoy pleasant evenings in the heart of Abruzzo.
