Castellana Festival of the Braciola and Autopodistic Carrera
The most festive Sunday of the Castellano September: taste, sport, and tradition
About Braciola and Carrera
A festival that is both taste and palio
Every second Sunday of September, the Municipality of Castel San Pietro Terme, in the province of Bologna, experiences its most anticipated day: the Castellana Festival of the Braciola alongside the Autopodistic Carrera. It is the beating heart of the Settembre Castellano, the month of festivals that enlivens the spa town of Emilia-Romagna along the Via Emilia, halfway between Bologna and Imola. An event that merges two souls: the table and popular sport.
The grilled pork chop, an award-winning specialty
The star of the festival is the grilled pork chop, served in trattorias and refreshment stands set up in the center. Alongside the pork chops, whole lambs are roasted on a spit in the squares, while typical local products complete a gastronomic offering that has received official recognition as a Quality Festival. It's an opportunity to rediscover Castellano cuisine in a village festival atmosphere.
The Carrera: the "eco-friendly Formula 1"
The Autopodistic Carrera is a race of human-powered vehicles, propelled by teams of athletes who take turns along the course. Born in 1954, it is considered a sort of town palio: each district and each team parades with their own colors and fans, transforming Viale Terme and the historic center into a high-intensity circuit. The day includes multiple races, from the evocative Carrera dei Piccoli (Children's Carrera) to the women's Carrera Rosa (Pink Carrera), up to the main race.
Flavors, music, and fireworks
The celebration doesn't end with the races: throughout the day, the Market Fair enlivens the town streets, while in the evening there are shows, live music, and DJ sets in Piazza XX Settembre. To close the day, the traditional fireworks display over the Parco Lungo Sillaro, an unmissable moment that draws thousands of people with their eyes turned upwards.
A tradition rooted in the territory
With over seventy years of history, the Braciola and Carrera represent the most authentic identity of Castel San Pietro Terme. It is not an event built for tourists, but a festival deeply felt by the community, yet capable of welcoming visitors from all over the province of Bologna and the Imola area each year. Those looking for a taste of popular and genuine Emilia-Romagna will find it all here in a single Sunday.
Braciola and Carrera — edition 2026
The Castellana Festival of the Braciola and the Autopodistic Carrera return to Castel San Pietro Terme on Sunday, September 13, 2026, confirming the appointment on the second Sunday of September. The date is registered among the official fairs and festivals of the Emilia-Romagna Region.
As every year, the day combines the gastronomic festival dedicated to grilled pork chops, the Market Fair along the town streets, and the Carrera races in the historic center, culminating in the evening fireworks over the Parco Lungo Sillaro.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, with race schedules and musical events, will be published by the organizers in the weeks preceding the event on the official channels of the Pro Loco and the Carrera Autopodistica.
Programme Braciola and Carrera 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the organizers in the weeks preceding the event. Based on recent editions, the day traditionally unfolds as follows:
- Morning — opening of the Market Fair along the town streets, parade of Carrera teams and fan groups.
- Midday — first race on Viale Terme (Coppa Terme - Trofeo Giuseppe Raggi) and opening of refreshment stands with grilled pork chops.
- Afternoon — in the historic center, Carrera dei Piccoli (Children's Carrera), Carrera Rosa (Women's Carrera), and the Autopodistic Carrera - Trofeo Maurizio Ragazzi.
- Evening — shows and music in Piazza XX Settembre, concluding with the traditional fireworks at Parco Lungo Sillaro.
Precise times will be communicated on the official website of the Carrera Autopodistica and on the Pro Loco channels.
Highlights Braciola and Carrera 2026
The main race of the Autopodistic Carrera in the historic center, the grilled pork chops awarded as a Quality Festival, and the evening fireworks over the Parco Lungo Sillaro.
Prices Braciola and Carrera 2026
Practical information — Braciola and Carrera
How to get there
Castel San Pietro Terme is located on the Via Emilia, about 25 km from Bologna and 12 km from Imola. By car: take the Castel San Pietro Terme exit from the A14 Bologna-Imola highway. By train: Castel San Pietro Terme station is on the Bologna-Rimini line, a few minutes' walk from the historic center.
When
The second Sunday of September, as part of the Settembre Castellano. The races and the fair occupy the entire day, from morning until the fireworks late in the evening.
Admission and costs
Access to the festive town, the fair, and the Carrera races is free. Only food and drink at the trattorias and refreshment stands are paid.
Tips
The historic center is closed to traffic during the race hours: it's best to park in the outer areas and reach the center on foot. For updated race schedules, consult the official Carrera website and the Pro Loco channels.
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Where does it take place — Braciola and Carrera
Centro storico e Viale Terme
Viale Terme, 40024 Castel San Pietro Terme