Canino Olive Festival

Italy's oldest olive oil festival

The Canino Olive Festival is considered the oldest Italian event dedicated to extra virgin olive oil. The first edition was held in 1939 and, year after year, the event has grown to become one of the most iconic celebrations of the Viterbo Tuscia region. In December 2025, the town celebrated its 65th edition, and the Municipality of Canino has already officially confirmed the 66th edition for 2026.

Canino PDO oil, the absolute star

The heart of the festival is the Canino PDO extra virgin olive oil, which has held Protected Designation of Origin status since 1996 and has been cultivated on these hills since the Etruscan era. Produced primarily from the native Caninese cultivar, it is distinguished by its emerald green color, fruity aroma, and bold taste with bitter and spicy notes. During the festival, local producers bring the squares and streets to life with stands for tasting and selling new oil, served on classic bruschetta.

The Renaissance historical pageant

One of the most spectacular moments is the historical pageant in costume that winds through the historic center. Canino is the ancestral home of the Farnese family and the birthplace of Pope Paul III (Alessandro Farnese): the re-enactment, organized by the Historical Pageant Association, brings the Renaissance era to life with costumed figures, ladies and knights, flag-wavers, falconry and archery displays, as well as dances and fire shows that light up the festival evenings.

Cantinoni, markets, and gastronomy

During the event, the traditional cantinoni reopen—ancient village cellars that come back to life only for these days, offering local cuisine enhanced by Canino oil. The streets are filled with craft markets and local products, while there is no shortage of visits to oil mills, conferences on olive oil culture, excursions through the olive groves, and family attractions like the Christmas village, ice skating rink, and funfair.

A landmark event for the Tuscia region

Organized by the Municipality of Canino along with the Pro Loco and local associations, the Olive Festival is much more than a gastronomic feast: it is a celebration of an entire community centered around its signature product. Located in the province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio, just a few kilometers from Lake Bolsena and the border with Tuscany, Canino welcomes thousands of visitors every year who combine the discovery of PDO oil with the exploration of a village rich in Etruscan and Farnese history.