Calcione Festival
The spring festival of the serrano calcione, in the stone village of Serra San Quirico
About Calcione Festival
A gastronomic tradition dating back to 1963
The Calcione Festival is one of the most established and long-standing gastronomic events in the Marche hinterland. It takes place every spring in Serra San Quirico, a charming fortified village in the province of Ancona, in the Marche region, famous for its stone city structure nestled on a rocky slope and for its characteristic covered walkways known as "le copertelle". The festival was born in 1963 and has since never stopped attracting visitors from all over the region, becoming a symbol of the town's identity.
What is the serrano calcione?
The calcione (or serrano calcione) is a typical large raviolo with a sweet and slightly spicy flavor, due to the presence of pecorino cheese. It is prepared with a disc of dough, about one centimeter thick, filled with a mixture based on wheat flour, eggs, pecorino, sugar, and oil; the parcel is then closed and incised with a cut on top before cooking. It is a specialty that perfectly tells the story of Marche peasant cuisine, capable of combining sweet and savory in a single bite.
Program and atmosphere
During the festival days, Piazza della Libertà and the streets of the historic center transform into a large open-air stage. Food stalls offer hot, freshly baked calcione along with other homemade dishes, accompanied by tastings of local wines. There are also moments dedicated to culture, such as the conference on the history of calcione, and more playful events, including the spectacular calcione eating contest, art workshops for children, treasure hunts, and live concerts that liven up the evenings.
The village of Serra San Quirico
Visiting the Calcione Festival is also the perfect opportunity to discover one of the most beautiful villages in the Ancona hinterland. Overlooking the Gola della Rossa and Frasassi gorge, Serra San Quirico preserves an intact medieval historic center, with churches, arches, and views that are worth a stroll. The event is organized by the Pro Loco in collaboration with the Municipality of Serra San Quirico.
Calcione Festival — edition 2026
The 64th edition of the Calcione Festival enlivened the historic center of Serra San Quirico on April 25 and 26, 2026. As tradition dictates, Piazza della Libertà and the village alleys hosted food stalls with hot, freshly baked calcione, tastings of local wines, and Marche cuisine dishes. The program alternated gastronomic moments with cultural and entertainment events, including live music, activities for children, and the famous calcione eating contest that attracts curious visitors and enthusiasts every year.
Programme Calcione Festival 2026
Saturday, April 25
- Afternoon — Children's treasure hunt in the historic center
- Opening of food stalls and street food in Piazza della Libertà
- Tasting of local wines
- Evening — Concert and live musical entertainment
Sunday, April 26
- Morning — Conference on the history of calcione (Church of San Filippo)
- Opening of food stalls and wine tasting
- Afternoon — Art workshop for children
- Calcione eating contest
- Traveling musical entertainment through the village streets
Details of the artists and times for the 64th edition were released by the Pro Loco of Serra San Quirico on their social media channels in the days leading up to the event.
Highlights Calcione Festival 2026
Prices Calcione Festival 2026
Practical information — Calcione Festival
Where
Historic center of Serra San Quirico (AN), particularly Piazza della Libertà. Stalls and shows are spread throughout the village streets.
How to get there
By car: Serra San Quirico can be reached from the SS76 (Ancona-Rome direction), exit Serra San Quirico. By train: Serra San Quirico station is on the Ancona-Rome line. It is advisable to park in the areas outside the historic center, which is largely pedestrianized during the festival.
Costs
Admission to the festival is free. Calcione and dishes from the food stalls are paid for on-site, with popular village festival prices.
Information
For the updated program, consult the social media channels of the Pro Loco of Serra San Quirico.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Calcione Festival
Centro storico di Serra San Quirico
Piazza della Libertà, 60048 Serra San Quirico