Tuscany is more than just a picturesque landscape; it’s a region deeply connected to its culinary traditions. From Chianti’s rolling hills to Cortona’s ancient streets, food festivals bring communities together to celebrate local flavours and time-honoured recipes. Whether you’re a seasoned foodie or a curious, discerning traveller, these festivals offer a unique insight into Tuscan life and living like a local in Italy. Palazzo Passerini in Cortona is the perfect base for exploring these vibrant traditions and celebrations, where each event is a feast for the senses.
Key food festivals to look out for in Tuscany in October and November 2024-2025:
Chestnuts, Tuscany
A Taste of Autumn: Chestnut Festivals in Tuscany
Overview: Autumn in Tuscany is a time to celebrate the chestnut, a humble yet versatile ingredient that has been a staple in Tuscan dishes for centuries. Chestnut festivals across the region offer a chance to sample traditional dishes, from roasted chestnuts to chestnut-flour pasta, and to enjoy the vibrant autumn colours and landscapes.
Featured Food Festivals with Chestnuts:
- Marradi Chestnut Festival (Sagra delle Castagne)
Dates: October 13, 20, 27, 2024 | October 12, 19, 26, 2025
Location: Marradi
Highlights: Roasted chestnuts, chestnut flour products, and local artisan crafts. - Lunigiana Chestnut Festival
Dates: October 19-20, 2024 | October 18-19, 2025
Location: Fivizzano
Highlights: Traditional chestnut dishes, local produce, and music performances.
Liquid Gold: Celebrating Tuscany’s Olive Oil Festivals
Tuscan Olive Oil
Autumn in Tuscany is synonymous with the olive harvest, when the region’s olive groves come alive with activity. Tuscany’s olive oil is famous worldwide for its quality, rich green colour and flavour, making it a staple in Italian food. Festivals celebrating the olive harvest are a chance to taste the freshest extra virgin olive oil, learn about the production process, and immerse yourself in local traditions handed down through generations.
Featured Food Festivals:
- Montisi Olive Oil Festival (Festa dell’Olio Nuovo)
Dates: November 1-3, 2024 | November 7-9, 2025
Location: Montisi, Siena
Highlights: Olive oil tastings, guided tours of olive groves, and traditional Tuscan meals centered around olive oil. - Trevi Olive Oil Festival (Festa dell’Olio Nuovo di Trevi)
Dates: November 9-10, 2024 | November 8-9, 2025
Location: Trevi, Umbria
Highlights: Olive oil workshops, food pairings, and cultural events celebrating the olive harvest.
The Hunt for the White Gold: Truffle Festivals in Tuscany
Truffle Hunting In Tuscany
Overview: Truffles, often called “white gold,” are one of Tuscany’s most prized culinary treasures. The region is famous for its white and black truffles, and the truffle hunting season is eagerly anticipated by chefs and food lovers alike. Moreover, Tuscany hosts several truffle festivals that allow you to taste these rare delicacies and even join in on a truffle hunt.
Featured Food Festivals for Truffles:
- San Miniato Truffle Festival (La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco)
Dates: November 9-10, 16-17, 23-24, 2024 | November 8-9, 15-16, 22-23, 2025
Location: San Miniato
Highlights: Truffle markets, cooking demonstrations, and truffle hunting experiences in the surrounding woods. - San Giovanni d’Asso Truffle Festival
Dates: November 9-10, 16-17, 2024 | November 15-16, 22-23, 2025
Location: San Giovanni d’Asso
Highlights: White truffle markets, truffle tastings, and guided truffle hunts.