Piedmont’s Fairs and Festivals

Piedmont is a region known for its festivals and really does have a festival for everybody. The region is rich in culture and there are many music festivals featuring all types of music, including classical, jazz and popular, around the region throughout the year. Alba hosts the first of its music festivals in late May, with performances in theatres, historic churches and outdoor spaces. In summer time there is the ‘Suoni dalle Colline’, with concerts held around the Langhe and Roero territory and performances in some more unusual places from castles to churches and from historic wine cellars to other striking locations. The town of Moncalvo hosts its Blues and Jazz festival in July.

Spring and Summer see a hive of activity in Piedmont as almost every town and village makes preparations for their own unique festivals. Tradition plays a large part in these fairs and festivals which often revolve around Piedmont’s food and wine heritage for which the region is duly proud. These “Sagre”, or feasts, are a great way to enjoy the tastes and flavours of Piedmont. One of the more unusual events is held in late May or early June at Nizza Monferrato. The ‘Corsa della Botti’ is a wine barrel race through the narrow streets and piazzas of this historic town known for its Barbera wine. Teams from local wineries push great wooden wine barrels from through the town’s main square and along the cobbled side streets.

At other times of the year there are festivals in towns such as Ivrea, famous for its Historic Carnival and Battle of the Oranges in February. June sees the historical re-enactment of the Siege of Canelli, in Canelli, where the town is transformed and given a medieval makeover with locals dressed in costumes and restaurants offering medieval menus. Asti’s Palio, a historic bareback horse race, is held in September. It may not be as famous as the one held in Siena but claims to be the oldest Palio held in Italy. Whilst in October the “Fiera del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba”, the annual White Truffle Festival, is held in Alba. It really is Truffle Time when this town hosts its world renowned annual Truffle Festival. The scent of the famous ‘Tartufo d’Alba’ permeates the streets and visitors come from all over the world to see, taste and buy these delicacies.

There are many more events held around the region, including patron saint festivals, cultural and theatrical events as well as sporting events, open castles, antique fairs and weekly street markets. Piedmont really is a region for everyone.