Azzurro come il Pesce
The Adriatic fish festival in the heart of Cesenatico
About Azzurro come il Pesce
Azzurro come il Pesce: the sea on the table in Cesenatico
When spring arrives, the historic center of Cesenatico, in the Province of Forlì-Cesena, Emilia-Romagna, fills with sea aromas and flavors with Azzurro come il Pesce, the festival celebrating Adriatic fish, the true protagonist of Romagnola maritime cuisine. The event unfolds in the heart of the renowned fishing village, along the banks of the Porto Canale Leonardo da Vinci and around Piazza Ciceruacchio, where food stalls serve typical dishes prepared by local restaurateurs and associations.
A different product for each edition
The most beloved feature of this festival is that each year it focuses on a specific fish product, creatively reinterpreted by the operators. After the cuttlefish and mussels of previous editions, the 2026 edition crowns the mantis shrimp (sea pannochia), a humble and delicious crustacean from Adriatic waters, presented in many versions from traditional to innovative.
Not just gastronomy
Alongside tastings, Azzurro come il Pesce offers a rich supporting program: the large street market with artisan products and food and wine specialties, handmade and vintage markets, photographic exhibitions, a play area for children, and live concerts in Piazza Ciceruacchio. Fishing associations liven up the fish market area, while the Maritime Museum opens its doors to tell the story of maritime culture. Admission is completely free.
Cesenatico, the village of the Leonardesque port
The setting is one of the most characteristic fishing villages on the Romagna Riviera: the Canal Port designed by Leonardo da Vinci, with its historic boats from the Maritime Museum moored along the banks. A stroll through the stalls of Azzurro come il Pesce is the best way to discover the maritime soul of Cesenatico outside the bathing season.
Azzurro come il Pesce — edition 2026
The 2026 edition crowned the mantis shrimp (sea pannochia) as the queen of the event, a crustacean symbol of Adriatic tradition reinterpreted by Cesenatico's restaurateurs in numerous preparations. Dinners began on Thursday, April 23, while the public program focused on the weekend of April 24-26, between Piazza Ciceruacchio, the Porto Canale Leonardo da Vinci, and the streets of the historic center. Free admission.
Programme Azzurro come il Pesce 2026
Friday, April 24
- 5:00 PM — Via Leonardo da Vinci: handmade and vintage market
- 5:00 PM — Piazza Ciceruacchio: live DJ set SWITCH
- 4:00 PM-6:30 PM — University Center for Fishery Productions: meeting "OPTIMA - Good practices in molluscs aquaculture" (free)
Saturday, April 25
- 10:00 AM-12:00 PM — Maritime Museum: "Explore the fisherman's world" (by reservation)
- 10:30 AM-10:00 PM — Via Leonardo da Vinci: Animarte play area (wooden games, painting workshop)
- 7:00 PM — Piazza Ciceruacchio: live ACDQueen, tribute band of AC/DC and Queen
Sunday, April 26
- 12:00 PM — Piazza Ciceruacchio: Social Pedalada along the Pisciatello cycle path and talk with authorities
- 10:30 AM-10:00 PM — Via Leonardo da Vinci: Animarte play area
- 6:00 PM — Piazza Ciceruacchio: live Soul Food (blues, soul, funk, rock)
Throughout the period (April 24-26)
- 10:00 AM-7:00 PM — Corso Garibaldi 17: photographic exhibition "Non solo Mare Dipinto" by Maurizio Delvecchio
- Maritime Museum open (10:00 AM-12:00 PM and 3:00 PM-6:00 PM)
- Food stalls along the Canal Port and street market with artisan and food and wine products
Highlights Azzurro come il Pesce 2026
Prices Azzurro come il Pesce 2026
Practical information — Azzurro come il Pesce
When
Four days at the end of April. Food stalls open for lunch and dinner throughout the event.
Where
Historic center of Cesenatico (FC): Porto Canale Leonardo da Vinci, Piazza Ciceruacchio, Via Leonardo da Vinci, and Corso Garibaldi.
Admission
Free. Tastings at the stalls are paid per consumption.
How to get there
Cesenatico is served by the train station on the Bologna-Rimini line and by the Cesena highway exit on the A14. The historic center is a short walk from the station.
Information
IAT Office of Cesenatico and official website visitcesenatico.it.
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Where does it take place — Azzurro come il Pesce
Centro storico e Porto Canale Leonardo da Vinci
Piazza Ciceruacchio, 47042 Cesenatico