Autumn festivals: here’s where to discover the true flavors of Italy

Festivals capture the most authentic soul of Italy. They are not just gastronomic events, but true collective rituals that celebrate local products, rural traditions, and the joy of being together. In autumn, from September to November, villages come alive: from chestnut festivals, with children running through fallen leaves and stalls smelling of roasted chestnuts, to mushroom fairs, where foragers proudly display their freshly gathered treasures. There are also festivals dedicated to pumpkins, truffles, new wines, and traditional sweets: each festival has its own character and curiosities.

Attending a festival means letting yourself be enveloped by the scents of homemade cooking, listening to folk music that invites you to dance, discovering recipes rarely found in restaurants, and, above all, feeling part of a community. For example? In a small Tuscan village, a grandmother showed us how to make cantucci, while the aroma from the oven filled the kitchen and her stories about the town made us laugh and dream: moments like these stay in the heart.

The Most Loved Autumn Festivals

Every region preserves its traditions, but there are events that attract visitors from all over Italy and abroad. Here are some of the most famous ones:

• Chestnut Festival – Marradi (Tuscany) and Roccamonfina (Campania): Roasted chestnuts are the undisputed protagonists of these festivals. In the alleys, you can smell freshly roasted chestnuts, while the stands offer desserts, soups, and typical liquors. Chestnuts, the symbol of autumn, become ingredients for creative dishes that warm the cooler days.
• Porcini Mushroom Fair – Alba (Piedmont): The porcini mushroom is the undisputed king of autumn in Piedmont. At the Alba fair, you can taste it in a thousand versions: sautéed, stewed, or as a topping for the classic mushroom risotto. You can also recreate it at home with Riso Arborio Curtiriso, Urbani dried porcini mushrooms, or Knorr porcini mushroom risotto ready-to-eat.
• Pumpkin Festival – Mantua (Lombardy): The Lombard city celebrates pumpkin in all its varieties: from Mantuan tortelli with amaretti, to velvety soups and traditional desserts. A versatile ingredient, perfect for warming autumn evenings. If you want to bring this unique taste to your table, try Knorr pumpkin risotto.
• Wine and Truffle Festivals – Umbria and Tuscany: Autumn is also the season of young wines and truffles. The Umbrian and Tuscan hills fill with markets, tastings, and themed menus. A paradise for food and wine lovers. Want to add a refined touch to your dishes? Try Urbani truffle sauce, ideal for bruschetta, risottos, and fresh pasta.

How to Bring the Flavors of Italian Festivals Home

It is not always possible to attend these events in person, but the good news is that with Vico Food Box, you can bring the atmosphere of the festivals directly to your table. Here are some ideas:

• Prepare chestnut desserts typical of autumn festivals.

• Create a truffle or porcini mushroom risotto

• Organize a tasting of typical products accompanied by a selection of Italian wines.

Just turn on the stove, invite friends and family, and let yourself be carried away by the flavors that tell the most authentic Italy. And if you cannot travel, remember: the scents and flavors of Italian festivals can reach you anywhere, bringing a little celebration and warmth even to your home.