Picture this: You've been walking or cycling all day enjoying the beautiful Italian landscapes. You decide to stop in a small town where you find a lively crowd. Tables are scattered about, locals serving traditional food and wine. It’s chaos and poetry.

But what is it? Of course, it’s an Italian Sagra!

What is an Italian Sagra?

The Italian Sagra is a local food festival, often dedicated to the patron saint of the area. Every region, every town, every village may have its Sagra. Each one is dedicated to a specific food or dish that is typical of the area. An example? Truffle, homemade pasta, artichoke, risotto, and much more!

How long does it last?

Sagre (the plural of Sagra) don't last for long, typically only about a week. They usually take place during summer until the end of October. 

How does it work?

You can join an Italian Sagra for dinner and after dinner. Only a few sagre last all day long.

Dinner: Everything is informal. No fancy cutlery or anything like that. No experienced chefs, just locals and nonnas cooking for everyone. Be prepared to sit at plastic tables very close to each other – you’ll be elbow-to-elbow with strangers.

The star ingredient: Every dish features the key ingredient that lends its name to the Sagra. At the truffle Sagra, you'll find bruschetta with truffle, various pasta dishes with truffle, meats infused with truffle flavor, and even desserts (typically ricotta cheese) topped with a drizzle of honey and truffle. Repetitive? Not quite. Fully immersive? Absolutely!

After dinner: No Italian Sagra is complete without a cover band crammed onto a small stage. What do they sing? Mostly Italian classics from the 80s, or songs of questionable taste that nobody has heard of.

Dancing: After you've enjoyed your delicious dinner and said thanks to the young waiters (usually kids and teens), feel free to join both the young and old on the dance floor. Nobody's judging – because let's be real, no one can dance – so just dance like nobody's watching.

As the night goes on, the music slows down. This is the time for slow dances. Couples of nonni who have been practicing liscio, bring it on! And if you’re brave enough to compete, join them.

How can I find an Italian Sagra?

Sagre are advertised throughout the town they're taking place in or even across the whole region for larger events. Keep an eye out for posters or banners when you’re in the country. You can also ask locals or consult dedicated websites for more information.

What are the most famous sagre in Italy?

There are tons of sagre to pick from, and they're all good choices. For the largest ones, the entire town gets involved, turning these festivals into big local parties. Some of the most popular Italian food festivals include:

Sagra del Pesce (Fish Festival) in Liguria

Festa della Fragola (Strawberry Festival) in Sicily

Sagra del Risotto (Risotto Festival) in Piedmont

Sagra degli Agrumi (Citrus Fruit Festival) in Sardinia.

Why are they so special?

Going to food festivals in Italy lets you experience the local culture firsthand. It's a real tradition that's not just for tourists, but mostly for locals.

So you get a true taste of the Italian lifestyle. This also means... it's a good idea to practice some hand gestures and learn a few words in Italian because locals often don't speak much English!

Live the true Italian tradition 

If Italy and its traditions fascinate you, we can help you design the perfect holiday.

Whether you're attracted to the cuisine or interested in cycling and walking (or both!), at Tourissimo we’ve got you covered. Browse our Tour Calendar or contact us today to get start