Weekend 16-17 May 2026: fairs and festivals to note

The weekend of 16-17 May 2026 brings a wide range of food fairs, local festivals and village events across Italy — perfect for short trips and tastings. Below is a regional selection and practical guidance to plan your visits.

Main events by region

• Lombardy – Asparagus Fair in Cantello (running 15–24 May 2026): food stalls and asparagus-based dishes.
• Emilia-Romagna – Green Asparagus Festival in Altedo and Strawberry Fair in Lagosanto: markets, themed menus and family entertainment.
• Veneto – Frog Festival (Comugne) and Riso coi Saltarei Festival (Pontepossero): regional specialties and activities for children.
• Latium (Lazio) – Strawberry Festival in Carchitti (Palestrina): tasting routes and strawberry-focused events.
• Tuscany – Strawberry Festival in Terricciola: tastings and local products, events running until 17 May 2026.
• Liguria – Lemon Festival in Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre): citrus, seafood and local traditions.
• Sicily – Cannolo Fest in Piana degli Albanesi: demo cooking, tastings and workshops on the Sicilian cannolo.
• Sardinia – Mussel Festival in Olbia: celebration of the sea-food tradition, with events through the month.

How to build your itinerary

Group events by area to reduce travel time:

• North: combine Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna and Veneto for multiple events within short distances.
• Center: Lazio and Tuscany are great for routes through historical villages and tastings.
• South and Islands: focus on a single region (e.g. Sicily or Liguria) to make the most of local connections.

Practical tips

• Check updates: schedules and programs can change; verify official organizer communications before traveling.
• Book ahead: cooking shows and guided tastings often require advance reservations.
• Transport and parking: village parking is often limited; consider public transport or local shuttles.
• Payments: carry some cash as some stalls may not accept cards.
• Clothing: wear comfortable shoes for markets and outdoor areas and bring a waterproof layer if needed.

Final tip

Plan early, prioritize the experiences you don’t want to miss and check official pages for last-minute updates. Enjoy the weekend of festivals and food fairs!