Alanno Grape Festival

The harvest festival in the heart of Alanno

The Alanno Grape Festival is one of the most deep-rooted autumn traditions in the Municipality of Alanno, located in the province of Pescara in the heart of the hilly Abruzzo region. Every year, traditionally on the first Sunday of October, the village of Alanno Scalo transforms into a large open-air stage where the rituals of the grape harvest are reenacted. The event is organized by the Associazione Alanno Cultura & Tradizioni with the patronage of the Municipality, and it attracts thousands of visitors from across the Pescara province and neighboring wine-growing areas every year.

A collective ritual of wine and farming heritage

The heart of the festival is Piazza Alcide De Gasperi in Alanno Scalo, where every gesture tells a story of hard work, community, and shared joy. The day begins in the morning with the blessing of the conche, the traditional Abruzzese copper jugs, carried in a parade by women in folk costumes. This is followed by the reenactment of grape treading: in large vats, according to ancient farming customs, grapes are crushed by bare feet, offering visitors an authentic and evocative experience.

Allegorical floats, dances, and local flavors

Among the most anticipated events is the parade of allegorical floats through the streets of the village: tractors, bicycles, and vehicles decorated with vine shoots celebrate the culture of wine. The Quadrille Dance is a must-see, a folk dance that marks the rhythm of the entire day, alongside typical Abruzzese dances and a children's folk choir. There is also the sagne competition, a culinary challenge between local housewives, with the pasta then shared in a community lunch. Along the route, food stalls offer typical local products and, naturally, wine, the absolute star of the Abruzzese harvest.

The pyrotechnic grand finale

The festival culminates in the evening with the famous Ballo della "Pupa Pirotecnica", a traditional animated puppet surrounded by fireworks that brings the day to a spectacular close. It is the most anticipated moment, uniting the entire Alanno community in an embrace of light and color. The Grape Festival is not just a fair, but a true celebration of Abruzzese identity and the deep bond between the land, the wine, and the people who preserve its traditions.

Why attend

• Witness the grape treading according to ancient farming customs
• Admire the parade of allegorical floats and folk costumes
• Taste typical products and wine from the Pescara region
• Experience the Ballo della Pupa Pirotecnica, a grand finale with fireworks