Autumn festivals in Bologna and the surrounding area 2026
Updated on 21 September 2026 From Martina Cavezza
Autumn in Bologna is a symphony of colours, aromas and flavours. If you love good food and local traditions, get ready to discover a calendar of gastronomic events that celebrate the excellence of the region. From berries to truffles, to the symbolic products of our land, autumn festivals are the best way to immerse yourself in the gourmet soul of the province of Bologna.
Discover some of the festivals to add to your calendar for autumn 2026:
- Tartufesta (Truffle festivals)
One of the most distinctive events of the autumn
in Bologna is Tartufesta, the widespread festival dedicated to the
prized white truffle of the Bolognese Hills.
In 2026, it is scheduled to take place from 10 October to 8 November
2026 and
involves several towns in the Bolognese Apennines. The programme includes
events, markets, tastings, local specialities, guided excursions,
truffle-hunting dog competitions and menus featuring this prized underground mushroom.
To find out the full programme, we recommend
visiting the
event website.
When: 10 October–8 November 2026
Where: various towns in the Bolognese
Apennines Admission: free in the centres of the various towns
- Tartófla
The Tartufeste calendar also includes
the Tartófla in Savigno, the International White Truffle Festival.
Every weekend, from 24 October to 15 November 2026, the town centre comes alive with a market selling truffles and local specialities, food stalls, tastings, restaurants with themed menus, exhibitions, presentations, walks and activities designed to promote an understanding of the local area and the traditional art of truffle hunting.
When: 24–25, 31 October; 1, 7–8, 14–15 November
2026, from 9 am to 6 pm.
Where: Savigno, Valsamoggia (BO)
Admission: free in the town centre
© Photo by Tartófla Savigno
- Chestnuts
and Marroni
With the arrival of the first cold spells, chestnuts become the
undisputed stars of the festivals. These sweet fruits are at the heart of various
festivals that bring the Bolognese Apennines to life. The autumn calendar is packed with
events, starting with the IGP Marroni Festival in Castel del Rio. Every
Sunday from 11 October to 1 November 2026, this event celebrates the
prestigious marrone, the area’s flagship product.
The festival is an opportunity to discover this product and the
culture of local chestnut cultivation, but also to visit one of the villages
in the Imola area and get to know the Santerno Valley region. The
Castel del Rio Chestnut is, in fact, one of the region’s culinary specialities
and the festival is one of the autumn events dedicated to
promoting it.
When: 11, 18, 25 October and 1 November 2026
Where: Castel del Rio (BO)
Admission: free in the town centre
- October
Fair in San Martino in Soverzano
As well as themed festivals, the Bologna area comes alive
with events that combine gastronomy, culture and history. Among these is the October
Fair in San Martino in Soverzano (Minerbio), now in its 42nd
edition: against the splendid backdrop of the Castello dei Manzoli
, on 3 and 4
October 2026,
visitors will be able to enjoy historical re-enactments, craft markets
and food tastings.
When
: 3 and 4 October 2026
Where
: Outside the Castle of San Martino di Soverzano, Minerbio (BO)
Admission
: free
- Baccanale
Another unmissable event of the season is
the Baccanale
in and around Imola, with this year’s edition
running from 24 October to 15 November
2026, under the theme ‘Encounters:
Italian cuisine without borders’.
When
: 3 and 4 October 2026
Where
: Imola and the surrounding
area
Admission
: free – menus subject to a charge
© Photos from the Imola and Faenza Tourism Company archive
- Fried Gnocco Festival
There is no shortage of festivals celebrating more rustic traditions either: the
famous Gnocco Fritto
takes centre stage in Valsamoggia, with its
33rd Festival taking place on the weekends of 3–4, 10–11 and 17–18 October
2026
in Castelletto di Serravalle
, promising a complete immersion in this
delight of Emilian cuisine.
When
: 3–4, 10–11 and 17–18 October 2026
Where
: Castelletto di Serravalle, Valsamoggia (BO)
Admission
: free
- Mortadella, Please!
For lovers of the most iconic flavours, autumn also celebrates
one of Bologna’s best-known gastronomic symbols with the ‘Mortadella, Please!’ festival in Zola Predosa.
The 2026 edition takes place from 9 to 11 October. During the
festival, visitors will be able to sample mortadella in a variety of forms,
from traditional recipes to more creative interpretations. The programme
also includes talks, workshops, children’s activities and visits to
local producers’ facilities.
When: 9–11 October 2026
Where: Zola Predosa (BO)
Admission: free
- Frequently Asked Questions
Which autumn festivals in Bologna are not to be missed?
Among the autumn events in Bologna are
festivals dedicated to truffles, chestnuts, mortadella and
traditional local produce. The calendar includes events in the centre of the
province, in the hills and in the Bolognese Apennines.
What festivals are taking place in and around Bologna this weekend?
The festival calendar changes from week to week.
To find out what’s on this weekend, we recommend checking the
official website.
How do you get to the festivals from Bologna?
The best way depends on the location. The festivals in
some municipalities within the Metropolitan City can also be reached by
public transport, whilst for other locations in the hills and the Apennines, a car
may be more convenient. Before setting off, it’s a good idea to check the
official information on parking, traffic conditions and any shuttle buses.
Which festivals are suitable for a day trip from
Bologna, even with the family?
Many autumn festivals can be combined with a visit to the village or the surrounding area, turning your attendance at the event into a proper day out suitable for young and old alike. All the events in the Bolognese Apennines, in Savigno and in the Castel del Rio area are particularly interesting for those who wish to combine good food, beautiful scenery and exploring historic villages.
The dates and programmes are subject to change: before organising your visit, it is advisable to check the event details or the official website.
A curious explorer with a passion for trekking and photography, I discover the world one step at a time. I have been writing for bolognawelcome.com and editor for extrabo.com since 2022.
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