Weekend May 16-17, 2026: highlights of fairs and food festivals

The weekend of May 16-17, 2026 features a wide range of local fairs and food festivals across Italy, centered on seasonal products like strawberries, asparagus and lemons. Below is a regional overview and practical tips to plan your visit.

Main events by region

• Lombardy – Cantello Asparagus Fair: a spring event with stands and traditional cuisine (running May 15–24, 2026).
• Emilia-Romagna – Altedo Green Asparagus Fair: active until May 17, 2026; Lagosanto Strawberry Festival from May 15–17, 2026.
• Veneto – Frog Festival (Comugne) and Riso coi saltarei Festival (Pontepossero): traditional events tied to local history and waterways.
• Lazio – Strawberry Festival in Carchitti (Palestrina): weekend of May 16-17, 2026, with tastings and local products.
• Tuscany – Terricciola Strawberry Festival: tastings and typical products, running until May 17, 2026.
• Liguria – Lemon Festival in Monterosso al Mare (Cinque Terre): a fragrant event linking citrus to the coastal identity.
• Sicily – Cannolo Fest in Piana degli Albanesi: dedicated to the iconic Sicilian dessert with show cooking and tastings.
• Sardinia – Olbia Mussel Festival: celebrates the relationship between sea and local cuisine (programming extends across May).

How to plan your route

Travelers from the North can combine Lombardy, Emilia and Veneto for short transfers between events. From the Centre, Lazio and Tuscany form natural itineraries through villages and tasting stops. For the South and islands, plan targeted trips—Sicily and Liguria offer particularly distinctive events.

Practical tips

• Confirm dates and times: check organizers' official channels since small events may change schedules.
• Reservations: entry is often free, but show cookings, guided tastings or indoor dinners may require booking.
• Transport and parking: parking in small villages can be limited; consider public transport or alternative solutions.
• Carry cash: small vendors may prefer cash payments.

Recommended picks for the weekend

Top choices for May 16-17, 2026 include Cantello (asparagus), Altedo and Lagosanto (asparagus and strawberries), Carchitti and Terricciola (strawberries), Monterosso al Mare (lemons) and Piana degli Albanesi (Cannolo Fest). These events combine strong local identity and seasonality—perfect for short culinary escapes.

Event period: May 16-17, 2026

Final tip: plan ahead and consult official pages for the latest program updates and booking requirements.