Autumn Cappelletto Festival

The cappelletto is back in the spotlight in autumn

When summer gives way to the first chills of the Po Valley, in Vigarano Pieve, a hamlet of the Municipality of Vigarano Mainarda in the Province of Ferrara, the Autumn Cappelletto Festival takes place. It is the end-of-season edition of one of the most beloved gastronomic festivals in the Ferrara area, entirely dedicated to cappelletto, the small pocket of filled egg pasta that is a symbol of Este cuisine. After the event in June, the Comitato Pro Civitate reopens the parish stand for two long weekends, when steaming broth and community warmth become the best way to welcome the arrival of the cold season.

When it is held

The 2026 edition takes place over two weekends: from September 24 to 27 and from October 1 to 4. The gastronomic stand opens in the evening, from Thursday to Saturday starting at 7:30 PM, while Sunday is dedicated only to lunch, from 12:30 PM. The festival is held in all weather conditions, thanks to a covered, heated, and air-conditioned area.

What to eat

The menu revolves entirely around the filled pasta, strictly handmade by the committee's volunteers:

• Cappelletti in capon broth, the festival's signature dish, served hot as tradition dictates
• The famous Cappelletto Trio, three different tastings: with truffle, with cream, and with ragù
• The "Rich and Poor", an ancient Ferrara recipe that combines cappelletti with bean broth
• Grilled meat main courses
• Traditional desserts: zuppa inglese, torta tenerina, torta di tagliatelle, and mascarpone and Nutella semifreddo

A festival for the whole family

The Autumn Cappelletto Festival is an event designed for togetherness. For the little ones, aged 3 to 10, there is a dedicated entertainment area, while the stand offers a takeaway service by reservation for those who prefer to enjoy cappelletto at home. The organization, which has been committed to sustainability for years, operates in a plastic-free mode, with entirely compostable tableware and containers.

A tradition that comes from afar

The Ferrara cappelletto has its roots in the court tradition of the Este family: one of the first testimonies linked to Ferrara appears as early as the mid-sixteenth century in the writings of Cristoforo Messisbugo, a famous court chef. In Vigarano Pieve, that memory is still alive and is renewed every year precisely through the hands of the housewives who prepare the pasta dough. The autumn festival is the final chapter of a true gastronomic trilogy in Vigarano, which begins with the Ferrara Cappelletto Festival in June and continues with the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul.

Access and convenience

The event is held in the Parish Area of Saints Peter and Paul, in Via Mantova 120, in an environment accessible to people with disabilities and with ample adjacent parking. Reservations are strongly recommended, given the limited availability of seats.