Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut and PDO Marrone Festival
Two autumn weekends dedicated to the prized Caprese Michelangelo PDO Marrone, in the village that gave birth to Michelangelo Buonarroti.
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut Festival
A festival in Michelangelo's birthplace
The Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut and PDO Marrone Festival is one of the most beloved autumn events in the Valtiberina, held in the heart of the municipality of Caprese Michelangelo, in the province of Arezzo. For over fifty years, every October, this Tuscan village transforms to celebrate its signature fruit, the Caprese Michelangelo PDO Marrone—a chestnut with a sweet flavor and an aroma reminiscent of almond and vanilla. The event traditionally takes place over two weekends, enlivening the historic center, the town's ring road, and the Castle where Michelangelo Buonarroti's birthplace is located.
The PDO Marrone, the pride of Valtiberina
The Caprese area is home to over 120 chestnut growers who maintain the groves and produce a wide variety of derivatives: chestnut flour, jams, liqueurs, desserts, and even cosmetics. The local marrone, recognized with the Protected Designation of Origin, has a rounded or quadrangular shape and ivory-colored flesh with an unmistakable taste. This tradition is so deeply rooted that it is celebrated in an old popular saying: "In Caprese, four dishes are eaten: bricie, balocie, monde, and chestnuts."
Autumn flavors
The heart of the festival lies in the food stalls, where you can taste traditional and revisited chestnut-based recipes: castagnaccio, roasted and boiled marroni, sweet polenta, monte bianco, and many other delicacies. Alongside the chestnuts, you will find typical local products: wines, honey, cheeses, cured meats, potatoes, mushrooms, truffles, saffron, and a renowned, award-winning craft beer. Artisan stalls and agricultural products complete the journey through the village streets.
Culture, tradition, and nature
Beyond gastronomy, the festival offers a rich calendar of activities: historical groups and flag-wavers, live music, piano bars, magic shows, book presentations, exhibitions, and guided wine tastings. For nature lovers, there are plenty of hikes and guided bike rides through the chestnut groves and panoramic trails of the Tuscan Valtiberina, while families and children can enjoy play areas and entertainment. During the festival weekends, it is also possible to visit Michelangelo's Birthplace at a discounted rate, discovering the bond between the great artist and this corner of the Arezzo province.
Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut and PDO Marrone Festival is expected to take place, as per established tradition, over the last two weekends of October. Confirming the continuity of the event, the organizing committee expressed, at the conclusion of the 2025 edition, its intention to welcome the public back in 2026.
In previous editions, the festival featured food stalls with chestnut-based recipes, stalls selling typical Valtiberina products, historical groups and flag-wavers, live music, hikes in the chestnut groves, and visits to Michelangelo's Birthplace. A similar structure is expected for 2026.
Programme Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition has not yet been published. The exact dates will be announced, as is customary, in the weeks leading up to the event, which is traditionally held over the last two weekends of October.
Based on recent editions, the festival usually offers: opening of food stalls on Saturday at noon and on Sunday from the morning, official inauguration with historical groups and flag-wavers, guided wine tastings, book presentations, exhibitions, live music, piano bars, magic shows, play areas for children, and guided hikes in the chestnut groves.
Highlights Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut Festival 2026
- Tasting of the Caprese Michelangelo PDO Marrone
- Food stalls with castagnaccio, roasted marroni, polenta, and monte bianco
- Historical groups and flag-wavers
- Hikes in the Valtiberina chestnut groves
- Visits to Michelangelo's Birthplace
Prices Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut Festival 2026
Practical information — Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut Festival
How to get there
Caprese Michelangelo is located in the Valtiberina, in the province of Arezzo. By car, it can be reached from the Arezzo motorway exit (A1) by continuing towards the Valtiberina, or from Sansepolcro along the provincial roads. The nearest train station is in Arezzo, from which you can continue by car or local transport connections.
When
The festival traditionally takes place over the last two weekends of October. Food stalls generally open on Saturday at noon and on Sunday from the morning.
Tips
We recommend comfortable clothing for walking through the village and the chestnut groves, and taking advantage of the guided tours of Michelangelo's Birthplace. For exact dates and the updated program, it is useful to check the official Facebook page of the event.
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Where does it take place — Caprese Michelangelo Chestnut Festival
Centro storico e Castello di Caprese Michelangelo