The unmissable food festivals of this autumn

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.

• Tartufest (truffle festivals)

If the intense aroma of truffles makes you dream, the Colli Bolognesi hills are the perfect destination. Autumn is the ideal season to savour the prized white truffle in a widespread celebration. The Tartufeste involves eleven municipalities in the area, offering an immersive experience of unique aromas and flavours.

Every weekend, from 12 October to 16 November, eleven municipalities in the Bolognese Apennines come alive with events and markets. For the occasion, truffle producers organise tastings, exhibitions, markets selling typical products, truffle dog competitions, guided excursions and, of course, special delicious truffle-based menus. We invite you to discover the complete calendar for all the details.

This calendar also includes Tartoflà - International White Truffle Festival in Savigno. From 25 October to 16 November 2025, this festival is a must-see event for all lovers of the “king of mushrooms”. For four weekends, the historic centre of the town is transformed into a vibrant setting where you can visit the truffle market exhibition, with local and national exhibitors, and immerse yourself in the delights on offer in the dedicated area. The gastronomic offering is rich and varied, including quality restaurants with truffle-based menus, as well as street food and tasting tours.

• Chestnuts and Marroni

With the arrival of the first cold weather, chestnuts become the undisputed stars of festivals. These sweet fruits are at the heart of several celebrations that enliven the Bolognese Apennines. The autumn calendar is full of events, starting with the Sagra del Marrone IGP (IGP Chestnut Festival) in Castel del Rio. From 5 to 26 October 2025, this event celebrates the prized chestnut, the flagship product of this area. This is followed by the Chestnut Festival in Granaglione. Here, from 31 October to 2 November 2025, you can prepare to enjoy chestnuts in all their forms, from classic roasted chestnuts to more elaborate dishes.

• Fairs and festivals to rediscover traditions and flavours

In addition to themed festivals, the Bologna area comes alive with events that combine gastronomy, culture and history. These include the October Fair in San Martino in Soverzano (Minerbio), now in its 41st edition: in the splendid setting of the Castello dei Manzoli, on 4 and 5 October 2025, you can enjoy historical re-enactments, craft markets and tastings.

Another unmissable event of the season is the Baccanale in Imola and its surroundings, whose edition this year, from 25 October to 16 November, is dedicated to spices with the theme “A world of spices”.

There is no shortage of more rustic traditional festivals: the famous Gnocco Fritto takes centre stage in Valsamoggia, with its 33rd festival held on the weekends of 4-5, 11-12 and 18-19 October 2025 in Castelletto di Serravalle, promising a complete immersion in this delicacy of Emilian cuisine.

For lovers of more iconic flavours, autumn celebrates the excellence of the territory: the eagerly awaited Mortadella Please festival returns to Zola Predosa from 10 to 12 October 2025, with guided tours of production companies, tastings and shows dedicated to Bologna's “Regina Rosa” (Pink Queen).

Discover all the local food festivals official website.