Italians have an ingrained passion for food, the traditions around it and how it ties families and communities together. In Italy, you’ll find festivals (sagra) taking place all over the country throughout the year, celebrating anything from truffles and wine to local bread, cheeses, and seafood.
Italy’s unique culinary festivals are a great reason for food lovers to travel to the country – what’s more, festivals cover the length and breadth of Italy offering unique opportunities to discover tasty traditions and wonderful locations in one hit. Whether it’s (literally) a battle of the oranges in Turin, celebrating nougat and truffles or sipping your way through top drops in Verona, there’s a festival in Italy catering to every taste.
Striking gold with white truffles in Alba
Every autumn, the International Alba White Truffle Fair arrives in Alba marking one of the greatest showcases of haute cuisine. Held 8 October to 4 December, truffle lovers can sample all kinds of varieties of this wonder-food that have been foraged fresh from the nearby forests of Langhe Roero and Monferrato (a UNESCO World Heritage Site). Truffles are paired perfectly with local food products and fine wines, and after tasting all the delicacies on offer, a tour of the architectural beauty of the ‘City of a Hundred Towers’ is a must.
The ultimate food fight in Piedmont
Among the many festivals and traditions of the Piedmont region, there is a unique event that combines history and legend with a lot of…mess. The Ivrea Carnival, the oldest carnival in Italy, takes over the squares of Ireva’s city centre with a distinct pinnacle event, the spectacular Battle of the Oranges.
The battle begins on the Sunday before Ash Wednesday and ends on Shrove Tuesday where over 200,000 kilos of oranges are thrown throughout the city’s main streets and squares, symbolising the people of Ivrea’s right to self-rule.
People on foot can be seen throwing oranges at retaliating teams in carts, shielded only by leather helmets. Making for an incredible spectacle, all are competing fiercely to win the battle as the sound of hundreds of oranges hitting the ground rages in the background.
A nougaty celebration
From 12 to 20 November, the Festa del Torrone, or Torrone Festival, runs for nine days. During the festival, the old town centre of the undisputed nougat capital of Italy, Cremona, bursts to life with various events including delectable giant nougat constructions and nougat sampling stalls. Tastings come in various forms including gourmet ice cream, chocolate, coffee, and even nougat limoncello.
A special ‘nougat express’ locomotive also circles the city tour, with nougat fans able to jump on board, learn interesting facts about nougat, and sample delicacies at various stops around the city.
Wine time in Verona
Vinitaly is one of the world’s most important fairs for wine and spirits, taking place annually in Verona (the next to be held 14 April to 17 April in 2024). Visitors to Vinitaly include professionals, importers, distributors, international buyers, restaurant owners, oenologists, critics, sommeliers, and collectors. The festival also welcomes enthusiasts of every kind from the wine curious to those who have a keen interest in wine and the world that revolves around it.
Visitors can taste an array of wines and spirits, from classic and new age varietals, to craft spirits. Theme-based areas at Vinitaly highlight specific points of interest. ‘Vinitaly Bio’ delves into the world of organic wines from all Italian regions, while ‘Mixology’ features masterclasses and workshops dedicated to wine-based cocktails.
The magic of Christmas comes to life in Milan
If you think Christmas already brings with it a magical atmosphere, try visiting the age-old Oh Bej! (oh beautiful, oh beautiful) Christmas market. Held in Milan from 7 to 10 December around the city’s grand Castello Sforzesco and central park, Parco Sempione, Oh Bej! Is the most popular event during the celebrations of Milan’s revered Saint Ambrose.
You can stroll around stalls with piping hot mulled wine and enjoy traditional Christmas treats – the most popular are the firòn which are smoked chestnuts strung into long strands. You’ll also find treats laced with famous local honey and, of course, the ever-present panettone, the city’s signature dessert.
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