October brings a crisp breeze and a bounty of seasonal produce that inspires dozens of local celebrations across the peninsula. Between October 9 and October 11, 2026 a series of fairs, tastings and cultural spectacles will turn towns into open-air food labs, letting visitors sample everything from freshly roasted chestnuts to the first harvest of extra-virgin olive oil.
Roccavione (CN) – 63ª Sagra del Marrone
In the alpine valley of Cuneo, Roccavione becomes the epicenter of autumn with the 63ª Sagra del Marrone part of the month-long Ottobrata Roccavionese. The festivities launch on Friday evening at 19:00 with a traditional Polentata accompanied by live music. A Torneo della Castagna follows in the communal gymnasium, and Saturday, 10 October, ramps up the agenda: at 13:00 the 1° Raduno Fiat 500 Club Italia gathers classic-car enthusiasts, while at 16:00 the Aperitrail with Alice Minetti adds a sporty twist. The night closes with “Mangia, bevi e balla” – pizza, cocktails and hits from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s. Sunday’s program returns to the core of the fair, starting at 9:00 with a bustling market, children-run vintage stalls, art exhibitions, a static-model showcase, a luna park and the 3° Raduno Vespistico della Castagna. Food lovers can roam the Food Village and the “Sagra dei Sapori di Strada – Non solo Street Food”, tasting the iconic “Gran Baldoria dei Mondaj” chestnut distribution.
Leonessa (RI) – 36ª Sagra della Patata
High in the Apennine plateau, the medieval town of Leonessa celebrates its agricultural hero with the 36ª Sagra della Patata. The rally runs from 9 to 11 October and is promoted by the spirited slogan “Fritta, lessa, rescallata. Un piatto co’ li fiocchi, lu tartufu co’ li gnocchi”. Originating spontaneously during the Madonna di San Matteo festival, a local vendor’s impromptu fry-stand grew into a full-blown homage to the region’s yellow- and red-skinned potatoes. Throughout the three days, the piazza hosts majorettes, stalls serving truffle-infused gnocchi, meat-sauce gnocchi, crisp patatine fritte and local wines. Evening performances keep the atmosphere lively, and visitors can also explore Leonessa’s medieval walls, historic monuments and sweeping mountain vistas that border Lazio, Umbria and Abruzzo.
Mattinata (Puglia) – Olive-oil immersion from 9-18 October
Down in the Gargano, the coastal town of Mattinata launches a ten-day ode to extra-virgin olive oil from 9 to 18 October. The sixth edition, themed “FèXtra 6 comunità”, weaves together tastings, frantoio tours, hands-on workshops and family-friendly activities. Participants can watch olives being harvested, milled and bottled, then wander the scented trails of Monte Sacro and Monte Saraceno, or pedal e-bikes through the Foresta Umbra. Yoga sessions among olive groves add a wellness angle, while live music and children’s corners ensure a festive ambience. The event highlights the region’s dedication to preserving traditional oil-making while inviting tourists to experience the flavor from tree to table.
Bellegra (RM) – 18th Tacchie ai Funghi Porcini
Just outside Rome, the small town of Bellegra honors its woodland bounty with the XVIII edition of the Tacchie ai Funghi Porcini fair. From 9 to 11 October, hand-kneaded tacchie – rectangular dough pieces made from water, flour and egg – are served alongside locally foraged porcini mushrooms, creating a rustic dish that tells the story of the area’s forests. The squares fill with live music, artisanal markets and historic reenactments. Food stalls open at 12:00 for lunch and resume at 19:30 for dinner, offering specialties such as polenta with parmesan sauce, grandmother’s meatballs and, for the first time, porcini arancini. A dedicated children’s menu ensures the fair is family-friendly.
Soriano nel Cimino (VT) – 59ª Sagra delle Castagne
In the volcanic hills of Soriano nel Cimino the 59ª Sagra delle Castagne reaches its climax on 18 October, concluding a weekend packed with medieval pageantry. Four historic contrade – Papacqua, San Giorgio, Trinità and Rocca – revive age-old rivalries through parades, sword-play displays and flag-bearing squads. The festival also features folk musicians, fire-breathers and artisans recreating a medieval tavern atmosphere, where roasted castagne are the star. For visitors craving more than a snack, the event showcases a range of local dishes, craft workshops and cultural exhibitions that celebrate the enduring symbolism of the chestnut in Italian tradition.
Colorno (PR) – XVIII Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls
At the foot of the elegant Reggia di Colorno the XVIII Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls unfolds on Saturday 10 October and Sunday 11 October. This gastronomic showdown honors the sweet-savory filled pasta that dates back to Maria Luigia d’Austria’s era, blending Austrian influences with local Parmigianese techniques. The celebrated local chef Elena Spisni will headline a show-cooking session at 16:30 on Sunday, demonstrating the art of fresh pasta. The program also includes a contest for “rezdorini” and a friendly rivalry among the classic tortelli of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Mantova and Cremona, turning the weekend into a celebration of Emilia-Romagna’s culinary heritage.
Palermo – Wine Sicily (9-11 October)
Sicily’s capital hosts the eighth edition of Wine Sicily from 9 to 11 October, expanding to three days and featuring 90 wineries and more than 750 labels. Set beneath the trees of Villa Trabia, the event offers guided tastings, master-classes and a lively “Wine Sicily OFF” concert series in the Giardino Inglese. A panel of ten wine bloggers will award the coveted Wine Sicily prize to the standout producer after the final day. The festival blends the island’s rich viticultural history with contemporary music, creating a vibrant backdrop for both connoisseurs and casual drinkers.
Voghera (PV) – 50 Sfumature di Pinot Noir
In the Lombard town of Voghera the seventh edition of 50 Sfumature di Pinot Noir takes place on 10 and 11 October inside the restored Ridotto del Teatro Valentino Garavani. The event showcases 99 Pinot Nero labels from Italy, alongside selections from Alsace and Armenia, highlighting the grape’s versatility. Alongside tastings, the program offers educational talks, gastronomy pairings and a unique “Annullo filatelico” stamp created in collaboration with Poste Italiane, turning the wine-tasting experience into a collectible memory.
