Experience & explore Abruzzo’s mountains and coastline with a simple list to the best of local events over the year!
Captivating Events
Sagre and Festa
by Season
A simple list of Abruzzo's best and most famous sagre and feste
Our group meet ups, normally free you just need to pay for coffee and cake on an urban tour or bring a packed lunch along on a walk!
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Teramo: I am All In My Eyes – Sebastiana Papa Photography Exhibition
Polo Museale Città di Teramo - L'Arca laboratorio per le arti contemporanee Largo San Matteo, Teramo, Teramo, ItalyStep into a world where the power of a single gaze holds the key to unlocking hidden stories and unveiling the essence of humanity.
"I'm all in my eyes," is a mesmerising anthology that showcases the remarkable works of acclaimed Abruzzese photographer Sebastiana Papa.
Vasto – San Michele Patron Saint Festival
Vasto P.za Gabriele Rossetti, Vasto, Abruzzo, ItalyThe San Michele Arcangelo Patron Saint Festival in Vasto is a vibrant and cherished annual 3-day celebration. This lively event honours San Michele with religious processions, colourful parades, and traditional Italian music and dance performances. Locals and visitors come together to revel in joyful festivities that capture Vasto's rich cultural heritage
Casoli: Book Swap Club
Bar Colanzi Via Selva Piana, Casoli, Chieti, ItalyJoin Vivienne on the last Thursday of each month in Casoli for an English language book swap over fantastic coffee and cake in Bar Colanzi!
Domenica al Museo – Free Entrance State Musuems
Museo Archeologico Nazionale - La Civitella Via Giuseppe Salvatore Pianell, 1, Chieti, Chieti, ItalyEach first Sunday of the month, Abruzzo and Italian state museums and archaeological sites open their doors for free as part of ‘Domenica al Museo’. This is a fabulous, national wide initiative that allows you to explore and discover the history and treasures of Abruzzo without charge outside your transportation to the site.
42 Fiera D’Agricultura di Alanno
Alanno Piazza Umberto I, Alanno, Chieti, ItalyThis agricultural weekender is a fair organised by the Comune of Alanno and Agricultural organisations. Expect lots of tractors food, and local artisans showing off their skills, like basketmakers, beekeepers with their honey, wine etc. A bit different from the standard festa as it is more of an exhibition of the diverse set of agricultural activities that happens in the locality.
Tagliacozzo – Cantine nella Roccia
Tagliacozzo Piazza duca degli Abruzzi, Tagliacozzo, Abruzzo, ItalyNot just roast chestnuts at Tagliacozzo's Cantine nella Roccia autumn-themed open cellar sagra. There are plenty of local autumn dishes to try and take delight in and plenty of music and crafts too!
The Old Streets of Civitella Roveto (Le Antiche Rue a Civitella Roveto)
Civitella Roveto Piazza San Giovanni Battista, Civitella Roveto, AQ, ItalyThe aim of this eno-gastronomic event is to introduce visitors to the chestnut “Roscetta”, a typical variety of the Valle Roveto and, at the same time, re-evaluate and give new life to the small town of Civitella Roveto.
Sagra Valle Castellana Della Castagna e della Patata
Valle Castellana Via Provinciale, Valle Castellana, Teramo, ItalyValle Castellana's delicious chestnut and potato sagra that is famous for its superb autumnal dishes.
Sante Marie (AQ) Chestnut Festival
Sante Marie Corso Garibaldi, 104, Sante Marie, AQ, ItalySante Marie is one of Abruzzo's most famous chestnut towns and its chestnut festival is legendary. Enjoy the walks and cycle rides organised through the chestnut woods during the sagra to the usual celebrations and walk around this mural town in the province of L'Aquila
Poggio Umbricchio – Tuber Magnatum – White Truffle Festival
Poggio Umbricchio Largo della Chiesa, Poggio Umbricchio, Teramo, ItalyThe Tuber Magnatum white truffle festival is located high in the Gran Sasso Mountains in the small medieval town of Poggio Umbricchio. It was once part of the world’s smallest republic Senarica and was aligned to Venice.
Opi Sapori d’Autunno
Opi Via S. Giovanni, Opi, AQOn the last weekend of October, Opi one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, a "stronghold" of the National Park of Abruzzo, Lazio and Molise will dress up in the colours and flavours of Autumn with its ancient festival.
L’aneme de le Morte
Serramonacesca Piazza del Popolo, Serramonacesca, Pescara, ItalySerramoncesca, PE, L’Aneme de Le Morte begin their Celebrations on the 31st of October and run through to the 1st of November. the eve of ‘Il Giorno dei Morti’, (Day of the Dead).
HANDY LIST OF KEY ANNUAL EVENTS
WhatsOnAbruzzo January
(TE- Teramo, PE – Pescara, CH- Chieti, AQ – L’Aquila)
- 5th January – La Serenade delle Chezette, Scanno (AQ), Read more
- 5th and 6th January – The Sagra della Polenta Ragnosa at Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ) – Read more
- 6th January – La Befana Celebrations
- Read – Witches, Polka, Pizza – La Befana Closes Christmas
- 16th January – le Farchie, Fara Filiorum Petri (CH), Read more
- 16th January – Le cottore di Sant’Antonio Abate, Collelongo (AQ), Read more
- 17th January – Sand’andonje – Read – Whats in A Tony | San Antonio Abate – Tossicia’s Firestarter
- 17th January – Il ballo della Signora • Villavallelonga (AQ)
- 17th January – Le sagne di Sant’Antonio Barone, Scanno (AQ)
- 19th January – Le tentazioni di Sant’Antonio & Le panette di San Sebastiano, San Sebastiano di Bisegna (AQ)
WhatsOnAbruzzo February, March & April
(TE- Teramo, PE – Pescara, CH- Chieti, AQ – L’Aquila)
- 3rd February – Le panicelle di San Biagio , Taranta Peligna (CH)
- The Saturday before Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras – I Mazzaroni • Schiavi d’Abruzzo (CH)
- Carnival Sunday – La Maschera • Castiglione Messer Marino (CH)
- Ash Wednesday – La morte di Carnevale • Montorio al Vomano (TE), Read more
- Maundy Thursday – Il Cireneo, Lanciano (CH)
- 23-24th March- FAI Spring Open Days
- Good Friday – La processione del Venerdì Santo – Scurcola Marsicana (AQ), Villa Petto di Colledara (TE), Chieti (CH) read more, Sulmona (AQ), San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore (PE),
- Easter Sunday – La Madonna che scappa in piazza, Sulmona (AQ), Read More
- Easter Monday – La Pasquetta, Palmoli , San Salvo (CH)
- Easter Monday – La processione del Lunedì in Albis, Rosciolo di Magliano dei Marsi (AQ)
- Easter Tuesday – I Talami , Orsogna (CH)
- 27th April – I focaracci per la Madonna di Pietraquaria , Avezzano (AQ)
WhatsOnAbruzzo May & June
(TE- Teramo, PE – Pescara, CH- Chieti, AQ – L’Aquila)
- 1st May – Il Majo – San Giovanni Lipioni (CH)
- 1st May, San Domenico Abate e il rito dei serpari • Cocullo (AQ) – 1 May, Read more
- 1st May , Santa Liberata – Francavilla al Mare (CH), Read more
- Le Virtù, – Across the province of Teramo, Read more
- 1st Sunday of May – Il pellegrinaggio alla Madonna della Libera • Pratola Peligna (AQ)
- 1st Sunday of May – Il miracolo del lupo • Pretoro (CH)
- 2nd Sunday May – La Madonna del Gonfalone • Navelli (AQ)
- Ju calenne • Villagrande di Tornimparte (AQ)
- La processione delle Verginelle • Rapino (CH) –
- L’acqua di San Michele, Liscia (CH)
- La grotta di San Michele, Bominaco di Caporciano (AQ)
- I Fratelli di San Michele, Balsorano (AQ)
- La Madonna della Croce,Pietranico (PE)Il pane di Santa Gemma, Goriano Sicoli (AQ)
- Il pellegrinaggio a l’Eremo di San Venanzio, Raiano (AQ)
- Sunday before 23rd may – La Festa dei Banderesi, Bucchianico (CH)
- Pentecost Monday – Il bue di San Zopito, Loreto Aprutino (PE)
- Il pellegrinaggio a Sant’Erasmo, Beffi e Succiano di Acciano (AQ)
- 5th June – La fonte di San Franco, Assergi (AQ)
- 12-14th June – La Festa di Sant’Onofrio Eremita, Serramonacesca (PE)
- 24 June – La notte di San Giovanni, Civitella Roveto (AQ)
- 24th June – La fonte di San Giovanni, Bisegna (AQ)
WhatsOnAbruzzo July & August
(TE- Teramo, PE – Pescara, CH- Chieti, AQ – L’Aquila)
- July-August – Un Mosaico per Tornareccio, Tornareccio (CH), Read More
- 27th July – L’asta delle pacchianelle, Palmoli (CH)
- Last Sunday in July – La processione di Sant’Andrea, Pescara
- 1st Sunday August – La Madonna dei Turchi, Tollo (CH)
- 16 August – Il ballo della Pupa, Cappelle sul Tavo (PE)
- L’oro di San Rocco – Castelvecchio Subequo (AQ)
- 21 August – Il pellegrinaggio all’Eremo San Domenico • Villalago (AQ)
WhatsOnAbruzzo September & October
(TE- Teramo, PE – Pescara, CH- Chieti, AQ – L’Aquila)
- 1st September-L’Eremo di Santa Colomba, Pagliara di Isola del Gran Sasso (TE)
- 1st Sunday September –La Corsa degli zingari, Pacentro (AQ)
- 13-16th September – Il Dono alla Madonna del Ponte, Lanciano (CH)
- 25th September – L’Eremo di San Bartolomeo, Roccamorice (PE)
- Last week September – Regina di Miele. Tornareccio (CH), Read More
- 1st weekend in October – Montonico Grape Celebration, Bisenti (TE) – A four day celebration of the Montonico grape in the pretty birthplace of Pontius Pilate. Montonico was formerly the most popular grown grape in the area and was traditionally air-dried into raisins to feed families throughout the hard winters. Expect great grapes, local food and wine stands, a white night on the Saturday and parade on Sunday. Read more
- Palio delle Contrade, (District Farmers Games), Pescina, AQ – Pescina is the town where the author Ignazio Silone set his novel “Fontamara’ and its annual ‘Palio delle Contrade’ (Farmers games) pitches its 4 districts against one another in games accompanied by food and a donkey race on Sunday. Read more
- Mosto D’Oro, Morro D’Oro (TE) – A historical re-enactment of a rural grape harvest in days gone by will be hosted by this famous Teramana wine town. Beyond the wine pressing, there will be plenty of activities to get involved on accompanied by live music and fuelled with delicious 0 km dishes from the local area. Read more
- Grape Festival (Festa dell’ Uva), Alanno Scalo, PE – An important and vibrant key event on Abruzzo’s folklore calendar that has plenty of food, dance and music to accompany the traditional pressing of grapes by foot and the finale is the dance of the pupa.
- 2nd Weekend October – Open Cantina of the Rock (Cantine all Roccia), Alto la Terra, Tagliacozzo, AQ = An exciting path of aroma, taste, music and colour will be woven between the streets and alleys of the ancient artistic mountain town so beloved by Edward Lear. The use of ancient cellars that were dug out of the rock in the old houses creates a magical feeling of living in the past that enhances and enlivens the event. In the soft light of the evening, the sounds of the ancient trades set in the original workshops will resound, the festive call of the visitors, the notes of the “street bands” and the dialectal songs of the boys’ groups will animate the ancient Via Valeria and the surrounding alleys. Soups, local butchery, homemade bread, stews, chestnuts, wine and traditional desserts will be on offer over the 3 days. Read more.
- 3rd Weekend October- The Old Streets of Civitella Roveto (Le Antiche Rue a Civitella Roveto), Civitella Roveto, AQ – The aim of this eno-gastronomic event is to introduce visitors to the chestnut “Roscetta”, a typical variety of the Valle Roveto and, at the same time, re-evaluate and give new life to the small town of Civitella Roveto, a historic village that is a member of the Borgi Autentica Association that opens its cellars and creates atmospheric pop ups to create the taste and flavours of Autumn. Besides the chestnuts, it will be possible to taste dishes based on truffles and mushrooms, pancakes, jams and sweets typical of the area. Read more
- 3rd Weekend October – Chestnut Festival, (Festa delle Castagne), Senarica, TE – If you are in need of an autumn chestnut pilgrimage whilst in Abruzzo, we’d recommend the chestnut festa in Senarica di Crognaleto, Abruzzo which celebrates the local lu ‘nzite variety. The smell of slow roasted chestnuts intermingling with arrosticini, grilled local sausages, sweet whiffs of vino cotto, is something that could make even the ashes in the local cemetery wake up & put themselves together in order to feast. Sat in the middle of the mountains of the Gran Sasso National Park and overlooking a ridge of the River Vomano, beautiful Senarica di Crognaleto was once the world’s former smallest republic and granted its official title and protection by the Venetian Republic in the 15th century. Read more or our review.
WhatsOnAbruzzo November & December
(TE- Teramo, PE – Pescara, CH- Chieti, AQ – L’Aquila)
Autumn’s bounty can be sampled in November with the opening of Vino Novello, the scent & taste of the new olive oil, white truffles, chestnuts, mulled wine & the start of all those delicious fritters with different names across the provinces to keep out the cold.
- `1st weekend of November – White Truffle Festial, Poggio Umbricchio (TE)
- Perano, CH, Village of Wine – https://bit.ly/2SHgjlV
Montreale, AQ, Colours & Taste of Autumn – https://bit.ly/2SHgjlV
Sante Marie, AQ, Chestnut Festival, https://bit.ly/34le1Os
Serramonacesca PE, L’Aneme de Le Morte (Celebrations on the eve of ‘Il Giorno dei Morti’ Day of the Dead), A fun celebration that takes a little bit of American Halloween and mixes it with traditional celebrations ready for the 2nd November, ‘i Morti’ that remembers deceased members of the family. Expect lots and lots of pumpkins, great food, roasted chestnuts and live music. Read More https://bit.ly/2r4ISR1 - Cesaproba, CH – Chestnut Festival – https://bit.ly/2SHDmx6
Romagnol, CH – Flavours of Autumn – https://bit.ly/2JB4ucF
Frisa, CH, New Oil Festa – https://bit.ly/36jVdAL
Fossacessia, CH – Sapori a Palazzo (New Oli, Wine) – https://bit.ly/2C7fICN - Romagnol, CH – Flavours of Autumn – https://bit.ly/2JB4ucF
Campotosto, AQ, Festival dei Mazzapuregli (Naughty Elves) – https://bit.ly/2Rzbj1q - 8-10th November – I donativi per Santa Reparata, Casoli (CH)
- 10th November – La processione dei cornuti, San Valentino in Abruzzo Citeriore (PE)
- 10th November – Le Glorie di San Martino, Scanno (AQ), probably the most famous San Martino festival in Abruzzo, with 3 giant bonfires that are burnt to help fertilise the earth) – http://deguscanno.it/
- 5-6th December – Le fave di San Nicola • Pollutri (CH)
- 7-8th December – I faugni, Atri (TE)
- 24th December – La farchia di Natale, Tufillo (CH)
- 24th December – La processione delle ‘ntosse, Santo Stefano di Sante Marie (AQ)
- 31st December – La serenata di Capodanno, Pettorano sul Gizio (AQ)
Check out our list of fab Christmas Markets in Abruzzo