Cartoceto DOP, il Festival

A celebration dedicated to Cartoceto's green gold

Cartoceto DOP, il Festival is the main event of the Municipality of Cartoceto, in the heart of the province of Pesaro and Urbino, in the Marche region. Historically known as the Market Exhibition of Oil and Olives, the event takes place every autumn over two Sundays and celebrates Cartoceto DOP extra virgin olive oil, the only olive oil Protected Designation of Origin in the region, recognized at European level in 2004.

Organized by the Municipality of Cartoceto together with the Pro Loco since 1977, the event has transformed over the years from a simple oil fair into a true widespread festival, capable of intertwining taste, culture, and entertainment along the streets and squares of the historic center.

The market, the oil mills, and the tastings

The beating heart of the festival is Piazza Garibaldi, where the producers' market and the Consortium's stands allow you to buy and taste the new oil directly from those who produce it. Among the most popular experiences are the visits to the open oil mills, which show the pressing process and the birth of the freshly pressed oil live, and the guided tastings, where experts guide the public in discovering the aromas and flavors of the Marche's green gold.

• Producers' market and stands of the DOP oil Consortium
• Open oil mills and pressing demonstrations
• Guided tastings, cooking shows, and taverns with traditional peasant dishes
• Sensory workshops and activities for children

Art, music, and performances

Alongside the food and wine aspect, the festival offers a rich cultural program. The Teatro del Trionfo, a 18th-century gem of the village, hosts the evening concerts, with artists from the jazz, pop, and Italian singer-songwriter scenes. Street bands, street performances, light parades, and family entertainment alternate in the streets of the town, while Piazza XX Settembre becomes the realm of the little ones with workshops and performances.

A village to discover

Included among the most evocative villages in the Marche, Cartoceto offers during the festival the perfect opportunity to discover its historic center, its churches, and the hilly landscape dotted with olive groves. A day at Cartoceto DOP, il Festival means combining the culture of quality oil with a stroll through art, history, and tradition in this corner of the province of Pesaro and Urbino.