The beautiful region of Tuscany is known for its delicious local cuisine as much as its exquisite wine or spectacular landscapes. In Italy, a sagra (plural: sagre) is a local festival that spotlights each region’s star ingredients, ranging from truffles to chestnuts to mushrooms, depending on the season.
These local food festivals take place all over Italy. Tuscany in particular plays host to a rich calendar of hyper-local food festivals and experiences throughout the year. With our insider guide, you’ll be in on the best times and places to experience them. These hyper-local events allow you to meet the producers and sample local recipes and ingredients unique to the region.
With over 35 years of expertise behind us, we work closely with villa owners to offer guests an immersive, insider experience. Some of our luxury villas are within close proximity to an array of local food festivals, you just need to know where to find them with the help of our local concierge.
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Sagre in Tuscany
Sagra del Cinghiale & Sagra dell'Anguilla, Orbetello
Ortebello’s history is as rich as its culinary heritage, once acting as an ancient trading post between the Romans and Italian royalty. Wedged between Florence and Rome on Italy’s Tyrrhenian coast, the Orbetello of today is home to two local food festivals in July.
Sagra del cinghiale a Orbetello is usually held from mid to late July (dates vary slightly each year), welcoming visitors with open arms to try traditional Tuscan dishes made with wild boar, a regional speciality.
Also held in July around the same time, Sagra dell'Anguilla a Orbetello focuses on rustic recipes mixed with eel, a traditional ingredient from the Orbetello Lagoon.
When: July
Where: Orbetello’s historic centre around Piazza della Repubblica and surrounding streets.
Where to stay: Lividonia d'Argento
Boasting sweeping coastal views, Lividonia d'Argento is primely located for visiting Orbetello’s annual food festivals. Enjoy morning dips in your private pool and al-fresco meals in between trips to Orbetello and the Grosseto coast. The villa is also ideally located for island hopping and chartering a private boat through our local concierge.
National White Truffle Exhibition, San Miniato
San Miniato’s cobbled streets come alive every November for the National White Truffle Exhibition. For the past fifty years or so, the event has brought together gourmands from around the world to sample a tantalising array of truffle-infused recipes.
The small town of San Miniato, located between Florence and Pisa, transforms into an open-air festival, with local producers and market stalls lining the historic centre. Visitors can potter through the buzzy streets, indulge in tastings and meet the local producers in person for recipe tips.
When: November
Where: San Miniato
Where to stay: Poggio ai Grilli
Poggio ai Grilli is a beautifully restored Tuscan villa that can trace its roots back to the noble Medici family. Set amid rolling countryside, the grand estate is home to its own tartufaia, where truffles are cultivated meticulously by hand. Let our complimentary concierge organise a guided truffle-hunting excursion within the estate’s private parkland.
Festa dell'Uva, Impruneta
Head straight to Impruneta in Tuscany in September for the town’s wonderful grape festival. Just a short drive from downtown Florence, this picturesque town has managed to elude the spotlight over the years, offering a calm escape for Italians who are in the know.
Packed with Etruscan and Roman history – plus a longstanding terracotta craft tradition – Impruneta is a must-visit on your next trip to Florence or wider Tuscany.
If you happen to be visiting in September – when the summer crowds begin to disperse – the annual grape festival is a fantastic way to meet local producers and sample the town’s local delicacy. The festival has been going since 1928, charming locals and visitors alike with its delicious, bulbous grapes.
When: End of September
Where: Impruneta
Where to stay: La Magnifica
The Renaissance property is set on the historic Medici estate and is just a seven-minute drive to Impruneta. After a fun-filled day sampling the region’s juicy grapes and speaking with the local producers, the villa’s elegant communal spaces and 14-metre swimming pool are a pleasure to retreat to.
Beyond La Magnifica, discover our collection of villas near Florence for attending Impruneta’s annual grape festival.
Sagra del Fungo, Pievescola
Travelling to Tuscany this September? Siena’s charming district of Pievescola, in the municipality of Casole d’Elsa, will play host to the 51st edition of the Sagra del Fungo. Mushrooms are abundant this time of year, freshly picked and plucked from the wooded estates of the Montagnola, a vast hilly area divided between Casole, Monteriggioni, Sovicille and Siena. Head to the hills of Montemaggio, the area’s highest point, where wild mushrooms grow in abundance, including porcini mushrooms, galletti, lardaioli, leccini and many others.
When: September
Where: Pievescola, near Siena
Where to stay: Pieve di Ponsano
Gain access to Sagra del fungo with a stay at Pieve di Ponsano. This architectural masterpiece near San Gimignano and Siena is ideally located for exploring the superb Sagra del fungo. Our local concierge is more than familiar with the surrounding area, offering insider tips on exact times to visit, where to stop in the most rural of locations and everything in between.
Sagra del Cinghiale, Montespertoli
Ever tried wild boar? You’re in for a treat at Montespertoli’s Sagra del cingiale, a local festival in Italy not to be missed. This hyper-local winter food festival spotlights hearty recipes using this prized local ingredient in one of the most beautiful villages in Italy. Speak to the local producers and take in the celebratory atmosphere amongst market stalls, art shows and family-friendly cultural events.
When: November and December
Where: Montespertoli
Where to stay: Casa Tara
A restored farmhouse perched on a hilltop, Casa Tara is just a short drive from Montespertoli in the heart of Tuscany, offering easy access to Sagra del Cingiale by car. The property is perfect for multigenerational getaways.
Another great option for the large families, Tenuta Almabrada is an expansive stone farmhouse surrounded by wineries and castles. Pop to Montespertoli’s Sagra del cingiale for a day of exploration, before retreating to the comfort of your private villa.
Speak to our Villa Specialists for specific recommendations, whether you’re on a multigenerational getaway or travelling as a couple.
FAQs
What is a sagra?
A sagra is a traditional local food festival in Italy, organised to celebrate and showcase a specific regional dish through different recipes. The festivals have an air of celebration and community, attracting hundreds or even thousands of travellers visiting each year. Alongside the food, many sagre feature live music, art displays, and family-friendly activities, creating a festive and jovial atmosphere for all.
When do sagre usually happen?
Most sagre take place between late spring and early autumn, with peak season during the summer months. Winter time is no exception, with some towns spotlighting seasonal treats such as truffles and chestnuts.
Where do sagre take place in Tuscany?
Sagre are held in towns and villages across Tuscany, often in small rural spots where local traditions and recipes can range from town to town.
Do you need tickets for a sagra?
Entry is often free, but you pay for food and drinks at individual stalls or communal dining areas.
Contact our Villa Specialists
Whether you’re considering a trip to Tuscany for spring, summer or winter, there’s likely to be a sagra going on somewhere. Make one of our exquisite villas your base and enjoy the added benefit of our complimentary concierge service, who are in the know about the best local sagre to visit for a truly local experience.