Avigna Törggelen Festival

An autumn festival in the heart of Avigna

The Avigna Törggelen Festival is one of the most beloved gastronomic events of the autumn season on the Salto Plateau, in the province of Bolzano. Organised by the Avigna Volunteer Fire Brigade (Freiwillige Feuerwehr Afing), the event takes place in the centre of the small village, near the primary school, attracting locals and hikers alike in search of the genuine flavours of South Tyrol.

Avigna (Afing in German) is a hamlet within the municipality of San Genesio Atesino, a village overlooking Bolzano that is home to the majority of South Tyrol's chestnut groves, where centuries-old trees provide an abundant harvest every October. For this reason, the festival serves as the ideal opening for the San Genesio Chestnut Weeks, a seasonal event that celebrates this fruit throughout the entire municipality for the whole month of October.

What is Törggelen?

Törggelen is an ancient South Tyrolean tradition linked to the grape harvest: it originally referred to the tasting of new wine among farmers, accompanied by traditional mountain cuisine. Today, it has evolved into a social ritual that pairs roasted chestnuts with the hearty flavours of local gastronomy. At the Avigna festival, you will find local chestnuts, traditional South Tyrolean dishes, and classic pastries (Mehlspeisen), all prepared and served by the volunteer firefighters.

A community-focused, free event

The event captures the genuine spirit of a village fair: free entry, long communal tables, music, and lively conversation among the stalls. It is an authentic way to experience the hospitality of this mountain community and to support, through your purchases, the activities of the Volunteer Fire Brigade, the backbone of the village's social life.

• Freshly harvested chestnuts, roasted on-site
• Traditional South Tyrolean dishes
• Traditional pastries and baked goods (Mehlspeisen)
• Convivial atmosphere in the centre of Avigna

Part of the Chestnut Weeks

Those visiting Avigna during the festival can continue their exploration by participating in the numerous initiatives of the Chestnut Weeks: guided hikes through the chestnut groves of Cologna and Avigna, the Keschtnpfonn (the gourmet market in the centre of San Genesio), and chestnut-themed menus offered by local restaurants and mountain farms. An ideal itinerary for an autumn weekend in the South Tyrolean mountains.