Alberoro Watermelon Festival

A summer festival in the heart of the Valdichiana

The Alberoro Watermelon Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in the village of Alberoro, located in the Municipality of Monte San Savino, in the province of Arezzo. Set in the San Marco Oratory Gardens, the event combines the conviviality typical of Tuscan village fairs with the celebration of a summer icon: the watermelon, known here by its local name, 'cocomero'.

Tradition and local identity

Organized by the local committee with the support of the Alberoro community, the festival has long been a gathering point for residents and visitors to the Arezzo Valdichiana. The event is born from the volunteer spirit of the locals, who set up stalls, kitchens, and a stage every summer to offer evenings filled with good food and cheer. It is one of those festivals that captures the authentic village life of inland Tuscany, far from mass tourism circuits.

The culinary experience

The heart of the festival is the kitchen, with food stalls offering traditional Tuscan dishes:

• Appetizers and local specialties;
• Pasta dishes following traditional recipes;
• Main courses of meat, including the famous grilled Chianina beef and sausages;
• Pizza baked on-site;
• a special evening dedicated to paella and sangria;
• and, of course, slices of fresh watermelon, the absolute star of the festival.

Music and entertainment

Every night of the festival is accompanied by live music and dancing, with orchestras and bands performing on stage until late. Among the most anticipated events is the concert by the tribute band dedicated to Max Pezzali, which brings the greatest hits of Italian pop music to the stage. The atmosphere is that of a classic Tuscan summer festival: long outdoor tables, families, ballroom dancing, and plenty of conviviality under the Valdichiana sky.

An event for everyone

Admission is free and the family-friendly format makes the Watermelon Festival suitable for all ages. For those visiting the lands of Arezzo in mid-summer, it is the ideal opportunity to discover the authenticity of Tuscan cuisine and the hospitality of a small village in the Tuscany Region.