Baciaja and Frog Festival

A festival that tells the story of Cercenasco

The Baciaja and Frog Festival is the most anticipated spring event in Cercenasco, a town of just over two thousand inhabitants nestled in the Pinerolo plains, south of Turin, in the Metropolitan City of Turin (Piedmont). For nearly forty years, every mid-May, the village has gathered around two specialties that reflect its rural history: the baciaja and the frog.

Two signature recipes

The baciaja is a traditional local wafer biscuit, simple and authentic, which has graced Cercenasco's festive tables for generations. Fried frog, on the other hand, is rooted in the plains' culinary tradition, where the local rice paddies and irrigation ditches once made frogs a humble yet prized food source. Around these two flavors, the Pro Loco has built a festival that is both a gastronomic celebration and a moment of community.

Gastronomy and evenings in the square

The heart of the event is Piazza Ceppi, where a large covered area with a dance floor is set up. The gastronomic evenings offer the famous mixed fried fish platter, meat dishes, and the essential frogs, alongside traditional Piedmontese staples like agnolotti, pork ribs, and sausage. Everyone dines together at long tables, and between courses, guests take to the floor for ballroom and folk dancing, animated by orchestras, bands, and DJs.

Market, exhibitions, and games

Beyond the food, the festival features the Baciaja Market, exhibitions held in historical village landmarks like the Chapel of Sant'Anna, and the Paisan Games dedicated to children and organized by the local parish. It is a program designed to engage all generations, from children to the elderly, in an atmosphere of authentic village celebration.

An unmissable event in the province of Turin

A festival of popular tradition and folklore, the Baciaja and Frog Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover the most genuine soul of rural Piedmont, just a few kilometers from Pinerolo and Turin. Amidst the aroma of fried food, traditional sweets, and live music, Cercenasco opens its doors to visitors for a few days of celebration dedicated to taste and conviviality.