August Fair of San Polo d'Enza

A Tradition Over Four Centuries Old

The August Fair is the oldest and most characteristic event in San Polo d'Enza, a municipality in the Val d'Enza, province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. Its origins date back centuries: the 2024 edition celebrated the 448th edition, and the 2025 edition will be the 449th, testifying to a rare continuity that makes the San Polo fair one of the longest-running in the Reggio Emilia area. Originally a market fair serving the valley's agricultural communities, it has evolved while retaining its role as a major end-of-summer gathering.

The Heart of the Celebration: Piazza Matteotti

The focal point of the event is Piazza Giacomo Matteotti, which comes alive for several days from morning till late evening. This is where the Street Food & Beer Festival takes place, featuring traveling chefs from all over Italy offering street food specialties, from regional cuisine to classic fairground treats, accompanied by a selection of beers. The food and bar service, with free entry, is available for lunch and dinner on the central days of the fair, with ample seating areas and takeaway options.

Market, Rides, and Family Activities

The fair retains its soul as a large merchandise market: stalls offering clothing, footwear, household goods, and local food products line the streets of the town. For children and families, there's also a mini amusement park with rides, set up in the town squares, and numerous entertainment activities throughout the festive days.

Evenings of Free Music

A distinctive feature of the August Fair is the free evening concerts in the square, which attract audiences from all over the valley. The program features popular tribute bands, dance nights, and '70s-'80s-'90s revival events: recent editions have included tributes to Vasco Rossi, Max Pezzali's 883, rock nights, and DJ sets. The live music, always free to enter, is the element that most of all makes this fair a community celebration.

An Event for the Entire Val d'Enza

The August Fair is organized by the Municipality of San Polo d'Enza in collaboration with local associations, including San Polo in Vetrina and numerous community groups. More than just a commercial event, it represents a late-summer ritual that renews the community's bond with its history and the tradition of Emilia's village fairs each year.