Carmagnola National Pepper Festival

The festival celebrating the king of vegetables

The Carmagnola National Pepper Festival is the signature event of the town of Carmagnola, in the province of Turin, in the heart of Piedmont. Established in the post-war period, it is now considered the largest Italian fair dedicated to a single agricultural product: the famous Carmagnola pepper, the pride of Piedmontese horticulture and the star of a rural tradition that renews itself every year at the end of summer. The 77th edition takes place from August 28 to September 6, 2026.

The Carmagnola pepper, a local excellence

The Carmagnola pepper is distinguished by five main varieties, including the square, the spinning top, and the long (ox horn) types, all hand-picked according to strict production standards. Grown in the countryside surrounding the city, it is an iconic product that has attracted food lovers, producers, and curious visitors from all over Italy for decades. During the festival, the pepper becomes the common thread for tastings, traditional dishes like bagna cauda and peperonata, and authentic culinary shows.

Ten days of taste, music, and entertainment

Throughout the event, the historic center of Carmagnola transforms into a large, sprawling stage. Squares and streets host food and wine stalls, markets, cooking shows with chefs and culinary personalities, and a rich schedule of events across Piazza Sant'Agostino, the Foro Boario, and the Castle Gardens. The most anticipated highlights include the major concerts of the Foro Festival, cabaret shows, and musical performances that keep the evenings lively until late at night.

• Pepper Day (Sunday, August 30): the grand masquerade parade with over 300 participants.
• Heaviest Pepper Competition and the Golden Pepper award for local personalities.
• Cooking shows and culinary competitions featuring traditional Piedmontese dishes.
• Foro Festival: evening concerts and shows of national appeal.

Folk tradition and folklore

The heart of the festival lies in its folkloric dimension, featuring the masquerade parade, the coronation of King Pepper and the Bela Povronera, and processions animated by drums. These moments, deeply rooted in Carmagnola's culture, tell the story of the bond between the community and its land, making the Pepper Festival not just a gastronomic appointment but a popular celebration capable of attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Carmagnola, Piedmont, every year.