Chestnut festivals take place across Italy from early October until mid-November, stretching from the Trentino Alps down to Sicily. The most eagerly awaited events are held in Castel del Rio, Marradi and Soriano nel Cimino, all in October; Centa San Nicolò and Aritzo, in late October; and Montella, across late October and November.
Here are some of the best-known chestnut festivals in Italy in 2026.
Chestnut Festival for the PGI Marrone di Castel del Rio
In the Santerno Valley, midway between Imola and the Tuscan border, Castel del Rio celebrates its most valued local product with one of Emilia-Romagna’s longest-running festivals. The event takes place on every Sunday in October: 4, 11, 18 and 25 October 2026.
The PGI Marrone di Castel del Rio, the star of the festival, is prized for its generous size, thin striped skin and sweet, firm flesh. It works equally well roasted or in pastries and desserts.
Between tastings, there is time to cross Ponte Alidosi, a striking medieval humpback bridge over the Santerno River, and visit Palazzo Alidosi, the historic heart of the village.
Montella PGI Chestnut Festival
Surrounded by the woodland of the Picentini Mountains Regional Park in Irpinia, Montella is Campania’s chestnut capital and hosts one of southern Italy’s most popular chestnut festivals.
The 42nd edition takes place in November, specifically on 1 and 2 November, followed by the weekend of 6, 7 and 8 November 2026. The PGI Chestnut of Montella was the first Italian chestnut to receive an official designation of origin, back in the late 1980s. Small, sweet, crisp-fleshed and easy to peel, it lends itself to countless recipes.
The village turns into a large food trail with more than 100 stalls. Alongside sweet and savoury chestnut dishes, there are porcini mushrooms, caciocavallo impiccato — a southern Italian cheese melted over bread — spit-roasted veal and ravioli, all paired with Irpinian wines such as Aglianico.
Zocca Chestnut and Traditional Marrone Festival
High in the Modenese Apennines sits a village many people associate with Vasco Rossi, the Italian rock singer. In autumn, though, Zocca has another main attraction: its much-loved chestnuts. The festival reaches its 49th edition in 2026 and takes place on Sundays in October, specifically 4, 11, 18 and 25 October.
The traditional Marrone of Zocca has an interesting distinction. Since 1988, its characteristics have been defined through chemical analyses carried out by the University of Modena, and the product is protected by a specific quality mark. It can be recognised by its shape, skin and inner peel, which comes away much more easily than that of an ordinary chestnut.
There is also an arts and crafts market, along with an area for travelling traders. Zocca is around 45 km from Modena and only slightly farther from Bologna, making it well suited to a day trip.
Aritzo Chestnut and Hazelnut Festival
Anyone who thinks of Sardinia solely as a seaside destination should head up to Aritzo, more than 800 metres above sea level on the slopes of the Gennargentu mountain range. The festival began in 1972 to highlight local produce and reaches its 54th edition in 2026. It traditionally takes place during the final weekend of October, with 24 and 25 October confirmed for 2026.
There are more than 200 exhibitors, selling chestnuts, hazelnuts, honey, cheese, cured meats and wooden crafts. One of Aritzo’s food curiosities is carapigna, a lemon sorbet once made using snow stored in the mountains.
Centa Valley Chestnut Festival in Centa San Nicolò
A few kilometres from Lake Caldonazzo, Centa San Nicolò has an impressive natural legacy: more than 800 centuries-old chestnut trees, which turn the valley shades of gold and copper in autumn. The Centa Valley Chestnut Festival takes place on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October 2026 in the municipal park beside the events area.
The food stall serves sweet and savoury chestnut dishes, freshly roasted chestnuts, bread and handmade sweets made with chestnut flour. Everything is prepared with locally sourced ingredients, naturally accompanied by a glass of vin brulé, Italian mulled wine, to take the edge off the autumn chill.
Marradi Marron Buono Market Exhibition
For many people, Marradi hosts Tuscany’s chestnut festival par excellence. For more than half a century, this village in the Tuscan-Romagnol Apennines has dedicated its October Sundays to its signature product, the Marron Buono di Marradi, protected under the PGI Marrone del Mugello designation.
The 63rd edition takes place on 4, 11, 17, 18, and 25 October 2026. This year’s theme is Pinocchio, paying tribute to Tuscany’s literary tradition through decorations and entertainment. There is also a particularly romantic way to reach Marradi: the historic steam train, which runs along the Faentina railway through Apennine woodland on selected Sundays.
Montagnareale Chestnut Festival
Chestnuts take on an even more distinctive flavour in Sicily. In Montagnareale, a small hill village in the province of Messina overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and set behind Patti, the festival has been a recurring tradition for almost fifty years.
The 2026 event takes place on 24 and 25 October, with a full, well-organised programme including guided visits to some of the village’s most evocative spots: the Mulino di Capo mill, restored historic olive presses and grape presses, and the chestnut groves.
Soriano nel Cimino Chestnut Festival
Soriano nel Cimino’s event is a true historical re-enactment, involving the entire community for almost three weeks. The 59th edition takes place across three weekends, running from 1 to 18 October 2026: 1–4 October, 8–11 October, and a final stretch culminating on Sunday 18 October. Soriano is around one hour and 20 minutes from Rome, so it also works well for a weekend break away from the capital.
The festival’s roots lie in the late 15th century and are linked, according to tradition, to the defence of Castello Orsini during a siege. Today, the village is divided into four contrade, historic neighbourhoods that compete in period costume, with historical processions, flag throwers, falconers and the spectacular Giostra dell’Anello, or Ring Joust.
Also not to be missed is the Convivium Secretum, an evening journey through Soriano’s history and traditions, told through the recipes of the contrade, all centred on chestnuts.
Source: https://www.idealista.it/