Barbera Festival: From Courtyard to Courtyard
Three days of open courtyards, Barbera tastings, and Piedmontese cuisine in Castagnole delle Lanze
About Barbera Festival
The iconic festival of Asti's Barbera
The Barbera Festival: From Courtyard to Courtyard is one of the most beloved food and wine events in the Asti region. It takes place in the historic center of Castagnole delle Lanze, a town in the Province of Asti nestled in the hills between the Langhe and Monferrato, within a UNESCO World Heritage territory. Castagnole, awarded the Orange Flag by the Italian Touring Club and listed among the Most Beautiful Villages in Italy, dedicates this event to its signature product: Barbera, a wine that tells the story of centuries of labor in Piedmontese vineyards.
The "From Courtyard to Courtyard" trail
The heart of the festival is the itinerant food and wine trail "The Paths of Barbera: From Courtyard to Courtyard". For the occasion, the village's private courtyards—often tucked away behind heavy doors and narrow alleys—open up to become spaces for tasting and socializing. Along the route, you will encounter over 26 local wineries offering their own Barbera labels and other regional wines, accompanied by traditional Piedmontese dishes prepared by local associations and Pro Loco groups following authentic recipes.
To participate in the tastings, visitors use "barberini", the festival's own currency, which can be purchased at the ticket booths and spent in the courtyards and food stalls. It is a simple system that allows you to move freely from one stop to the next, glass in hand.
Music, entertainment, and tradition
Beyond the wine and food, the Barbera Festival is brought to life by music in every street, square, and courtyard: bands, dance music, cover groups, DJ sets, and street artists fill the evenings. There are also the most anticipated highlights, such as the traditional ballroom dancing evening, the crowning of Miss Barbera, concerts at the Palabarbera, and the grand fireworks display that closes the event on Sunday night.
An experience for everyone
Designed for a wide audience—couples, families, young people, and food and wine enthusiasts—the festival also offers entertainment for children, a funfair, and a shuttle bus service from the parking areas in the San Bartolomeo district to the historic center. Entry to the village is free: you only pay for what you taste. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Barbera directly in its home territory, experiencing the authentic atmosphere of a Piedmontese village that tells its story through its flavors.
Barbera Festival — edition 2026
The 46th Barbera Festival brought the historic center of Castagnole delle Lanze to life for three days, featuring the "The Paths of Barbera: From Courtyard to Courtyard" food and wine trail, over 26 wineries, and traditional Piedmontese cuisine. Highlights included: the ballroom dancing evening with the Meo Tomatis Orchestra, the concert by the EXPLOSION band, the election of Miss Barbera 2026, and, as a grand finale, the concert by Alberto Fortis followed by fireworks.
Programme Barbera Festival 2026
Friday, May 22 — Opening and Lanzevino 2026 presentation
- 5:00 PM — Ticket booths open for "barberini" and the Barbera Wine Shop
- 6:30 PM — Opening ceremony with ribbon cutting and presentation of the courtyards, dishes, and wines
- 7:30 PM — Opening of the "From Courtyard to Courtyard" food and wine trail and the funfair
- 8:00 PM — Music throughout the streets, squares, and courtyards with bands, dance music, cover groups, and DJ sets; Latin night with the Star Dance School
- 12:30 AM — Closing of the food and wine trail
Saturday, May 23
- 10:00 AM — Ticket booths and Barbera Wine Shop open
- 6:30 PM — Opening of the "From Courtyard to Courtyard" food and wine trail
- 7:00 PM — Music throughout the streets, squares, and courtyards
- 9:00 PM — Ballroom dancing evening at the Ballo a Palchetto with the Meo Tomatis Orchestra
- 11:00 PM — Concert at the Palabarbera by the EXPLOSION band
- 11:30 PM — Election of Miss Barbera 2026 at the Ballo a Palchetto
- 12:30 AM — Closing of the food and wine trail
Sunday, May 24 — Closing
- 10:00 AM — Ticket booths and Barbera Wine Shop open
- 12:00 PM — Opening of the food and wine trail and music throughout the village
- 2:00 PM — Entertainment for children
- Evening — Alberto Fortis in concert and fireworks display
- 10:00 PM — Closing of the food and wine trail
Highlights Barbera Festival 2026
Prices Barbera Festival 2026
Practical information — Barbera Festival
Getting there
Castagnole delle Lanze is located in the Province of Asti, between the Langhe and Monferrato. By car, it can be reached via the A33 Asti-Cuneo motorway or the state road towards Canelli and Nizza Monferrato. By train, the Castagnole delle Lanze station is on the Asti-Alba/Castagnole-Nizza line. We recommend leaving your car outside the historic center.
Parking and shuttle
During the event, a free shuttle bus service runs from the San Bartolomeo parking area to the historic center: from 5:00 PM to 1:00 AM on Friday and Saturday, and from 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM on Sunday.
Entry and tastings
Entry to the village is free. Wine tastings and food are paid for using "barberini," the festival currency, which can be purchased at the ticket booths. Unused barberini are non-refundable.
Contacts
Pro Loco Castagnole delle Lanze — [email protected] — Municipality of Castagnole delle Lanze, tel. +39 0141 875626.
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Where does it take place — Barbera Festival
Centro storico di Castagnole delle Lanze