Events, Festivals and Italian Holidays 2013

Year round weekly markets"mercati" in Langhe, Roero & Monferrato
(These markets are outdoors, normally in the town's main piazza. They are open from 7-8am to 1pm selling fresh veggies, meats, cheeses, olives, clothes, shoes, linens and other miscellaneous items.)
Monday - Monforte d'Alba, La Morra, Mango
Tuesday - Alba, Canale d'Alba, Dogliani, Canelli
Wednesday - Neive, Bra, Santo Stefano Belbo
Thursday - Castagnole delle Lanze
Friday - Bra, Cortemilia, Murazzano, Nizza Monferrato
Saturday - Alba
Sunday - Costiglione d'Asti, Barbaresco(very small)

Festa=Festival
Sagra=Food Festival, normally celebrating a village's wine, signature dish or local vegetable

January 1
"Capodanno" New Year's Day
Big "pranzo" lunch with family and friends to bring luck and money into the new year.

January 6
"Epifania" Epiphany
The "strega" witch comes to bring the good children presents and candy.

February 12
Carnevale
Last party before Ash Wednesday and Lent, often starts 2-3 weeks before the actual date ending with a big party on last day, in this case, February 21st. Lots of partying, eating, drinking and overindulging all over Italy, Europe and the world.

February 12
Carnival of Ivrea, Battaglia delle Arance Orange Battle
Annual carnival, this small village near Torino, celebrates the end of carnival with an Orange Battle. Men in medieval costumes through oranges at each other.

Sunday March 31
"Pasqua" Easter
A very important holiday here, everything is closed but restaurants & you will need a reservation.

Monday April 1
"Pasquetta" Little Easter
Everybody in Italy is outside and barbecuing on this day, unless it is raining. Everything closed but wine bars and restaurants.

April 7-10
Vinitaly, Verona
This is a big Italian wine fair in Verona, but this also affects Piedmont because most of wineries are in Verona at this time making it difficult to visit wineries. The week before and after is also difficult for winery appointments with many wine professionals from all over the world traveling and visiting wineries. It is not impossible during this time, just a heads up for wineries and restaurants, make reservations earlier than usual.

April 12, 19, 26 (Fridays)
A Dinner & Tasting of the new releases of Barolo
3 evenings featuring the new release of 2009 Barolo.
A fantastic way to experience the new vintage along with dinner. At various participating restaurants in the Barolo area. 55-80 euros for dinner & wine per person depending on restaurant

Late April-Early May
Vinum, Alba

May 5 Sunday
Festa della Barbera, Castagnole Lanze
An annual festival "di Cortile in Cortile" with Barbera from Castagnole Lanze
Main day is Sunday the 5th.

2nd weekend in May
Nizza e Barbera
A Barbera Wine Festival in Nizza Monferrato

May 10, 17, & 24
Il Barbaresco a Tavola
3 evenings featuring the new release of 2010 Barbarescos.
A fantastic way to experience the new vintage along with dinner.
At various participating restaurants in the Barbaresco area.
40-85 euros for dinner & wine per person depending on restaurant

May 26
Portè Disnè
Gastronomic Walk from Monta to Canale in Roero

June 15-16
The Siege of Canelli
A Festival to celebrate the Siege of Canelli in 1613
Go back in time for the weekend with costumes and reinactments

June 20-23
Cinema Corto in Bra
International Short Film Festival in Bra

July
Monforte in Jazz and More
Music Festival in Monforte d'Alba

July 20
Barolo Night
Langhe Food and Wine Festival
Gastronomic event in La Morra with cuisine from the best restaurants in La Morra paired with Barolo wine from La Morra and live music

July/August
Italy&USA · Alba Music Festival
18 concerts, every evening, in the territory of Langhe and Roero
In association with Ente Turismo, Consorzio Turistico

Wednesday August 15
Ferragosto
Everything is closed but restaurants & you will need a reservation.
This is a bigger holiday than we first thought. It is impossible to do anything on this day but be on holiday and eat! If you want to have a picnic, make sure to buy supplies the day before as NOTHING is open.

August 25 Sunday
Mangialonga
Gastronomic Vineyard Hike in La Morra

September 7-8
Festa del Vino Barolo
Barolo Tasting

September 8
Festa delle Sagre
An all day festival celebrating the wines of Asti and it's contadine winegrowers and farmers
Centro Storico Asti

September 15
Palio di Asti
Fall Festival and Historic Horse Race in the city of Asti

September 2013
Slow Food Cheese in Bra
Slowfood Cheese Festival held every other year to promote regional producers and local products. If you are here and love cheese this is a MUST!

September 14-16
Festival della Lumaca
Historic Snail Festival in Cherasco

Saturdays in October
Barolo Tasting at Cantina Comunale in La Morra
Barolo 2008-2009 Wine Tasting in La Morra with 12-15 producers every Saturday

October 5-November 17
82^ International White Truffle Fair of Alba
Every Saturday and Sunday from October 5th to November 17th
(The Donkey Race October 6)

October 5-6
“Sagra della Cugna”
Many different Cugnas to taste and buy, local cuisine “from Langhe e Monferrato”
Comune di Coazzolo

October 13-14
Barbaresco Tasting
Barbaresco 2008-2009 Wine Tasting in Barbaresco with over 50 Producers.
Walking Tour of Crus.

October 28
A Tutta Trippa
A Tripe Festival in the village of Barolo, yes, Everything Tripe!
Starts at 11am

Thursday November 1
"Tutti i Santi" Feast of all Saints
Italians have the day off and visit their relatives in the cemeteries with lots of flowers(more than usual).

November 1-5
Barbera Festival Costigliole d’Asti
Big Barbera Wine Tasting at the Cantina Comunale in Costigliole d’Asti
Over 200 Barberas to taste from the best producers of the area

Throughout December
"Mercatini di Natale" Christmas Markets
Most villages and towns have an annual outside Christmas market. These are festive with many stands of gifts to buy, food, music, goats and sheep and "vin brule" hot spiced wine. If you are here at this time, ask your hotel or look for flyers announcing times and dates.

Saturday December 8
"Immacolata Concezione" Immacolate Conception
Big shopping day in Italy, similar to Black Friday in USA

Wednesday December 25
"Natale" Christmas
Italians have a BIG lunch at home or dine in a restaurant with family. A big family day, everything closed but some restaurants are open with a fixed Christmas menu. If dining out, make reservations!

Tuesday December 31
New Year's Eve
Make your hotel and dining reservations well in advance! Most fine dining restaurants will offer a Fixed Menu on this night. Be prepared for a loud night of fireworks!

Tourism and Events in the Langhe
Langhe e Roero Tourism
Strada del Barolo
Barolo di Barolo
Alba White Truffle Fair
Slow Food
Piemonte on Wine