Arrosticini and Pecorino Cheese Festival

A signature festival of the Teramo summer

The Arrosticini and Pecorino Cheese Festival takes place every August in the small village of Santa Margherita di Atri, in the province of Teramo (Abruzzo). Immersed in the gentle hills of the Teramo region, about eleven kilometers from the Adriatic coast, the event has become one of the most anticipated gastronomic appointments of the Abruzzo summer, attracting visitors from across the region and nearby seaside resorts.

Arrosticini and Pecorino: two symbols of Abruzzo

The heart of the festival is the famous arrosticini, lamb skewers cooked over a traditional charcoal grill (the fornacella) and served piping hot. Alongside the classic lamb skewers, liver versions are also available for more adventurous palates. The absolute star is the pecorino cheese from the Atri area, offered in different aging stages, from mild and fresh to sharp and spicy.

Beyond arrosticini: the traditional menu

At the food stalls managed by volunteers from the ACLI Circle of Santa Margherita di Atri, visitors can sample many other specialties of Abruzzo's rustic cuisine:

• Fried cheese, crispy on the outside and melted on the inside;
• Pallotte cacio e uova, the classic cheese and bread balls;
• Hand-made fresh pasta with garden vegetable ragù;
• Frittelle (fritters), both sweet and savory, some stuffed with ham and cheese;
• French fries and other traditional side dishes.

Atmosphere and village conviviality

The festival is held in the square of the Church of Santa Margherita, which transforms into a large open-air dining area for the occasion. The atmosphere is that of a genuine village feast: shared tables, music, evening entertainment, the scent of charcoal in the summer air, and the relaxed rhythm of a village gathering around its traditions. It is an ideal opportunity for those spending their holidays on the Teramo coast who wish to discover the hinterland and its authentic flavors.

A piece of Abruzzo's food and wine history

Reaching its twenty-ninth edition in 2025, the event is among the longest-running and most established in the Abruzzo festival calendar. Born from the initiative of the local community, it continues to promote the typical products of the Atri area, a town of art famous for its cathedral and its production of licorice and pecorino. The Santa Margherita Arrosticini Festival thus represents not only a celebration of taste but also a moment of identity and gathering for the entire community.