Usually these events feature stands where local associations and residents prepare traditional dishes, accompanied by music and dancing. In this section, we have highlighted some of the main village festivals in the Euganean Hills.
Fairs and Festivals in the Euganean Hills, our top tips
La Festa della Giuggiola in Arquà Petrarca, September
Giuggiola, or the red date, has been grown here since Roman times having been introduced by the Venetians and has become one of the region’s traditional fruits. It is similar in appearance to a date but with a crunchy and slightly acidic flavour, packed full of vitamins and beneficial properties. The fruit is used for jams, made into grappa, and is put into syrup for the famous Brodo di Giuggiole liqueur.
La Sagra degli Gnocchi in Teolo, April
Celebrating all kinds of potato gnocchi, including filled and plain ones, the traditional local dish which many restaurants serve all year round.
La Festa dei Bigoli in Monterosso di Abano Terme, June
This festival pays homage to one of only a few truly Paduan dishes, an egg pasta which looks like fat spaghetti in which you can see being made at the festival using a press. The bigoli are then dressed with a tomato sauce or a game ragu.
La Festa di Vini DOC in Luvigliano di Torreglia, during the last week of October and the first week of November
In the wonderful setting by the village of Luvigliano di Torreglia, this traditional festival celebrating the DOC wines of the region, offering chance to taste and purchase the wines and meet local producers.
Festa dell’Uva in Vo’, third Sunday of September
The leading festival the grape, celebrating its wonderful flavours and fragrances, and featuring a parade of carnival floats. Alongside the floats are events, music and, of course, tastings of local wines in the village square.
Festa dei Bisi in Baone, May
This is a festival celebrating peas, skilfully grown by farmers who are able to get the most out of our hilly land for their crop, one which is increasingly common in the fields of the Euganean Hills and in many family vegetable patches.
The stands at this rural fair serve up a range of different dishes, including most famous one “risi e bisi” (rice and peas), a popular recipe in the area around Padua.
Find out more about these village festivals and plan your visit to the Euganean Hills to coincide with these celebrations of Veneto traditions.
