| Umbria is in many ways the most rural of | | | | The festival with the biggest pan in the world |
| Italy’s regions. It may be less visited and | | | | offered on the scenic shores of Umbria’s |
| less-touristed than some other parts of Italy | | | | largest lake. There is also a boat race. |
| (such as Tuscany) but there is no shortage of | | | | Celebration of 'Made in Italy' – early October |
| excitement with year-round festivals and special | | | | This nine-day event held in Orvieto each year, |
| events. Food really matters in Umbria and | | | | celebrates the wine and gastronomic tradition of |
| festivals are held all year round celebrating the | | | | the 'Made in Italy' marque. The prestigious event |
| unique tastes and delights of Umbrian produce and | | | | has been held since 1996 when the 'Slow Food' |
| cuisine. | | | | Movement had its first big meeting in the Umbrian |
| A food festival is known as Sagra (plural Sagre) | | | | city. The event features conferences inside the |
| and the best ones are small and celebrating a | | | | beautiful museums and historic monuments, food |
| single dish. You will often see brightly coloured | | | | tasting, art exhibitions and themed dinners. |
| posters advertising them by the roadside. | | | | Chestnut Festival Preggio – mid-October |
| Here we offer a roundup of just some of the | | | | All the basement rooms of the old houses of the |
| region’s year-round festivals devoted to food | | | | village open up as tiny botteghe and restaurants, |
| and wine. | | | | featuring varied menus that include roasted |
| Black Truffle Fair at Norcia – mid to late | | | | chestnuts and dishes made with chestnuts. Local |
| February | | | | artisans display their crafts. |
| More truffles are found in Umbria than anywhere | | | | Eurochocolate – mid-October |
| else in Italy and Umbria is especially famous for | | | | When in Perugia you can visit the Perugina |
| black truffles. Gourmets consider them inferior to | | | | chocolate factory at any time, but in late October |
| the white variety but they are nonetheless | | | | the whole town becomes chocolate heaven for 8 |
| expensive and delicious. The annual truffle fair is | | | | days with tastings, cookery demonstrations and |
| held in the village of Norcia in South-eastern | | | | other chocolate themed events. In recent years |
| Umbria. Norcia is also famous for its meat | | | | there has been a reconstruction of the Berlin wall |
| products including prosciutto that compares well | | | | (made of chocolate) and a chocolate trial. |
| with that of Milan. | | | | Frantoi Aperti – early November |
| Cantine Aperte – late May | | | | The Frantoi Aperti festival, taking place during the |
| For the so-called Open Wine Cellars some of the | | | | first weekend of November, sees the doors open |
| Umbria’s wine producers big and small throw | | | | to several olive oil presses around Umbria offering |
| open their cellars to visitors. In its 15th year this | | | | visitors the chance to talk to producers, see how |
| important event offers visitors the opportunity to | | | | olive oil is extracted and attend seminars and |
| taste Umbrian wines including some that the | | | | guided tastings as well as learning the secrets of a |
| Umbrians like to keep to themselves! | | | | Mediterranean diet! Numerous farms and |
| Mussel Festival Citta di Castello - 3rd week of July | | | | restaurants also take part in the festival by |
| Tressle tables are set up outside the city walls | | | | incorporating quality olive oil with traditional dishes. |
| and open-air cooking stands prepare the shellfish. | | | | Trade Fair of the Truffle Citta di Castello – |
| At least a ton of mussels will be consumed during | | | | end October and early November |
| the festival. | | | | Celebrates the white truffle (see above for the |
| Fish Fry Passignano sul Trasimeno – last | | | | black truffle festival! |
| Sunday of July | | | | |