2018 Main Events

Carnival of Busseto

Busseto, streets of the village
Every Sunday during the Carnival period.
Traditional parade of floats and masks, music and gastronomic corner.

Carnevale – Parma

Parade of floats and music begins in Piazza Duomo at 3:00pm and goes to the Citadella via main streets such as Via Garibaldi, Via Farini.

Bridge of Taste: Gastronomic Event

Trecasali

Typical products of the territory and of Italy.
Tastings, dinners,product demonstrations and local handcraft.

www.pontedeisapori.it

The Pantry of Sanvitale

Fontanellato

 open air market  around the 15th century Rocca Sanvitale, where typical products from all over Italy will be available to taste and buy all day long.
It’s a big exhibition market with all the typical products of the territory with sections dedicated to other italian regions.
The event has its roots back at the time of the Earl Alfonso Sanvitale, in the 17th century, when the noble man allowed vendors to sell their products on the square in front of the castle. Nowadays, as long time ago, stands and vendors will be around the moat of the rocca and along the streets, to present their delicacies.

San Giuseppe Market

Parma

The weekend nearest March 19th, the Festa San Giuseppe takes place. Although traditionally it began in Sicily, the Feast of San Giuseppe (St. Joseph) is now celebrated throughout most of Italy. According to legend, during the Middle Ages a terrible drought and famine plagued the people of Sicily. It virtually destroyed most of their crops and many people in the western part of Sicily died of starvation. The people began praying to St. Joseph and begged for his intercession to their plight. In return they promised to celebrate his feast day by having special altars abundant in food that would be shared with all people rich and poor as their thanksgiving to him.

At midnight on March 19th the prayers of Sicily’s children were answered. The rains came and the land which had been browned and barren were now lush and green again. Sicily’s people has kept their promise to San Giuseppe through the generations by preparing elaborate food altars. In Sicily olive branches hung over doorways signify that a St. Joseph Altar is being held.)

Bridge of Taste: Gastronomic Event

San Secondo Parmese

Rocca dei Rossi Castle

Typical products of the territory and of Italy.
Tastings, dinners, product demonstrations and local handcraft.

www.pontedeisapori.it

The Pantry of Sanvitale

Fontanellato

 open air market on display around the 15th century Rocca Sanvitale, where typical products from all over Italy will be available to taste and buy all day long. 
It’s a big exhibition market with all the typical products of the territory with sections dedicated to other italian regions.

The event has its roots back at the time of the Earl Alfonso Sanvitale, in the 17th century, when the noble man allowed vendors to sell their products on the square in front of the castle. Nowadays, as long time ago, stands and vendors will be around the moat of the rocca and along the streets, to present their delicacies.

Bridge of Taste: Gastronomic Event

Fontevivo

Typical products of the territory and of Italy.
Tastings, dinners, product demonstrations and local handcraft.

www.pontedeisapori.it

Porcolonga

Nine villages in the territory of the Bassa Parmense.

A gastronomic marathon by bike and boat in the land crossed by the river Po with two stops at local farms to taste and buy local delicacies.
Groups of 25 people with a professional  guide leave from one of the nine villages  in the territory of the the Bassa Parmense.
Fee: Adults:40 euro

www.stradadelculatello.it

Under the Sign of the Lily

Colorno

Ducal park

From 10:am to 7:00pm

High quality gardening and bio products

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Festival of Culatello

Zibello

Streets of the village

First weekend of June

gastronomic event celebrating culatello.

www.stradadelculatello.it

Saint Johns Night

Parma and surrounding villages

Night of June 23rd

Open air dinners of tortelli outside restaurants or local village festival for hundreds.

Solstice celebrations still center around the day of the astronomical summer solstice. Some choose to hold the rite on the 21st of June, even when this is not the longest day of the year, and some celebrate June 24th, the day of the solstice in Roman times.

Although Midsummer is originally a pagan holiday, in Christianity it is associated with the nativity of John the Baptist, which is observed on the same day, June 24, in the Catholic, Orthodox and some Protestant churches. It is six months before Christmas because Luke 1:26 and Luke 1.36 imply that John the Baptist was born six months earlier than Jesus, although the Bible does not say at which time of the year this happened.

The celebration of Midsummer’s Eve was from ancient times linked to the summer solstice. People believed that mid-summer plants, especially Calendula had miraculous healing powers and they therefore picked them on this night. Bonfires were lit to protect against evil spirits which were believed to roam freely when the sun was turning southwards again. In later years, witches were also thought to be on their way to meetings with other powerful beings, though this is not the case today

The feast of Saint John the Baptist has been celebrated in Florence from medieval times, certainly in the Renaissance, with festivals sometimes lasting the three days from 21 to 24 June.

This happens nowadays also in Cesena with a special street market and celebration that last from June 21 to 24. Saint John the Baptist is the patron saint of Genoa, Florence and Turin where a fireworks display takes place at the celebration on the river. In Turin Saint John’s cult is also diffused since medieval times when the city stops to work for two days and people from the surroundings comes to dance around the bonfire in the central square.

Ricordanze di sapori: dinners in the castles

Rubeo Convivio

Rocca dei Rossi of San Secondo

Waiting for the dew

Castle of Roccabianca

the seats available for each night are limited, a reservation is required. It is possible to book by calling the Association or directly on the website www.castellidelducato.it.

Ricordanze di sapori: dinners in the castles

Dinner with the Duke

Abbey of Fontevivo

Minstrels and story-tellers

Antica Corte Pallavicina in Polesine Parmense

the seats available for each night are limited, a reservation is required. It is possible to book by calling the Association or directly on the website www.castellidelducato.it.

Festival dell’asinina, Festival of Donkeys

Costamezzana, Noceto

Second weekend in August.

Donkey stew, polenta and local folk music.
Plus grilled, meats and localwines

Fortanina Wine and Spalla Cotta Ham

San Secondo Parmese

Castello Rocca dei Rossi and streets of the village

Every year between August and September.
An entire week dedicated to the gastronomic products of San Secondo, sweet Fortanina wine and hot Spalla Cotta ham

Ricordanze di sapori: dinners in the castles

The enchanted castle

Fortress of Bardi

Flavours

In Villa, in front of the Castle of Fontanellato 

the seats available for each night are limited, a reservation is required. It is possible to book by calling the Association or directly on the website www.castellidelducato.it.

Parma Ham Festival

The Province of Parma

August end to every weekend in September

Markets, Tastings, Music and Cultural events. Special openings of the factories with guided tours to see the process.

Events in the towns of the Parma hills which together form the Parma Ham production area.

Check website for specifics.

www.festivaldelprosciuttodiparma.it

Begins Friday at 5:00pm in Piazza Garibaldi with tasting stands followed at 6:00pm with food and wine market of Emilia Romagna specialties on Via Garibaldi and Piazza Steccata.

Events in the towns of the Parma hills which together form the Parma Ham production area. Check website for specifics.

Parma Ham Festival

The Province of Parma

Every weekend in September

Markets, Tastings, Music and Cultural events. Special openings of the factories with guided tours to see the process.

Events in the towns of the Parma hills which together form the Parma Ham production area.

Check website for specifics.

www.festivaldelprosciuttodiparma.it

Begins Friday at 5:00pm in Piazza Garibaldi with tasting stands followed at 6:00pm with food and wine market of Emilia Romagna specialties on Via Garibaldi and Piazza Steccata.

Events in the towns of the Parma hills which together form the Parma Ham production area. Check website for specifics.

Porcolonga

Nine villages in the territory of the Bassa Parmense.

A gastronomic marathon by bike and boat in the land crossed by the river Po wih two stops at local farms to taste and buy local delicacies.
Groups of 25 people with a professional  guide leave from one of the nine villages  in the territory of the the Bassa Parmense.

www.stradadelculatello.it

The Pantry of Sanvitale

Fontanellato

 open air market on display around the 15th century Rocca Sanvitale, where typical products from all over Italy will be available to taste and buy all day long. 
It’s a big exhibition market with all the typical products of the territory with sections dedicated to other italian regions.

The event has its roots back at the time of the Earl Alfonso Sanvitale, in the 17th century, when the noble man allowed vendors to sell their products on the square in front of the castle. Nowadays, as long time ago, stands and vendors will be around the moat of the rocca and along the streets, to present their delicacies.

Porcino Mushroom Fair

Albareto

Second weekend in September

A 4 day event celebrating the Porcino Mushroom.
Stands selling mushrooms of all kinds and shapes.
Food, entertainment and special menus in local restaurants.

www.fieradialbareto.it

Plants and animal lost

Old Town, Guastalla

Last weekend in September

Plants and Animals Lost
 all day
 A huge exhibition of traditional varieties of fruits, flowers,
vegetables, seeds and animal breeds.
market of  high quality food and wine, organic, typical and
forgotten from Italy and other countries in the EU.

Ricordanze di sapori: dinners in the castles

Salame mon amour

Castle of Felino

the seats available for each night are limited, a reservation is required. It is possible to book by calling the Association or directly on the website www.castellidelducato.it.

Black Truffle of Fragno

Calestano

Dedicated to the black truffle one of the most precious and rare ingredients of Italian cuisine. Taste typical food products of the area, visit a truffle-ground and special menus prepared in local restaurants.

www.tartufonerofragno.it

Ricordanze di sapori: dinners in the castles

Sweet frivolities of Maria Amalia

Rocca of Sala Baganza

Halloween night at the abbey

Abbey of Fontevivo 

the seats available for each night are limited, a reservation is required. It is possible to book by calling the Association or directly on the website www.castellidelducato.it.

The Pantry of Sanvitale

Fontanellato

 An  open air market around the 15th century Rocca Sanvitale, where typical products from all over Italy will be available to taste and buy all day long. 

It’s a big exhibition market with all the typical products of the territory with sections dedicated to other italian regions.

The event has its roots back at the time of the Earl Alfonso Sanvitale, in the 17th century, when the noble man allowed vendors to sell their products on the square in front of the castle. Nowadays, as long time ago, stands and vendors will be around the moat of the rocca and along the streets, to present their delicacies.

November Porc: the taste of pork

in the Bassa Parmense

Villages of the Province: Soragna, Polesine,Zibello, Roccabianca.

Markets of bio and typical gastronomic products of the Parmesan lowlands, tastings and music. Tours by carriage along the Po River and nature walks.

Ricordanze di sapori: dinners in the castles

An invitation by His Majesty the Prince

Castle of Compiano

the seats available for each night are limited, a reservation is required. It is possible to book by calling the Association or directly on the website www.castellidelducato.it.

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