Celleno Cherry Festival
Three days dedicated to the red gold of the Tuscia region, blending flavors, folklore, and fun
About Cherry Festival
The festival that paints Celleno cherry red
Every year, in early June, the small town of Celleno, in the province of Viterbo, transforms into the cherry capital of the Tuscia region. The Cherry Festival, organized by the Pro Loco Celleno with the patronage of the Municipality, is one of the longest-running and most popular folk events in the Lazio region: in 2026, it celebrates its 39th edition. For three days, the village honors its signature product, the renowned Celleno Cherry—protected by a dedicated Consortium—with tastings, performances, and ancient rural traditions.
The village's red gold
The heart of the festival is, of course, the cherries. The Central Gardens host the Celleno Cherry Consortium stalls and markets with a food area, where visitors can sample fresh fruit, the famous cherry fritters, and traditional desserts. The most anticipated moment is the Crostatona, a giant cherry tart over twenty meters long that attracts curious food lovers from across the region every year: a true trademark of the event.
Folklore, costumes, and fun
Beyond the gastronomy, the festival is a triumph of folklore. The streets of the historic center come alive with parades of costumed groups and floats, accompanied by stilt walkers, jugglers, and fire-eaters. However, the most original event is the International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship, a fun, lighthearted competition now in its 27th year, where men, women, and children challenge each other to see who can spit a pit the farthest in a spirit of friendly rivalry.
One of Italy's most beautiful ghost towns
The setting makes the event even more evocative: Celleno is famous for its ghost town, the ancient medieval center that was abandoned and later restored, now considered one of the most fascinating in Italy. Between live music concerts, dance evenings, craft markets, and the traditional final fireworks display, the Cherry Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover this authentic corner of the Viterbo Tuscia, just a short distance from Viterbo and Orvieto.
Cherry Festival — edition 2026
The 39th edition of the Celleno Cherry Festival was held from Friday, June 5 to Sunday, June 7, 2026, confirming the successful formula that combines gastronomy, folklore, and entertainment. The absolute star was the Celleno Cherry, celebrated at the Consortium stalls in the Central Gardens, alongside cherry fritters and the traditional giant Crostatona, now in its 34th edition. The festival's most iconic moments were all present: parades of costumed groups, the famous International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship (27th edition), and the final fireworks display.
Programme Cherry Festival 2026
Friday, June 5
- 16:00 — Opening of the Consortium cherry stalls and markets in the Central Gardens
- 17:30 — Inauguration of the 39th Festival with the parade of historic banners
- 19:00 — Opening of food stalls and cherry fritters
- 21:00 — Concert by the party band MamaLover
Saturday, June 6
- 10:00 — Opening of stalls and markets
- 17:00 — Fashion show by students of the Pio Fedi Institute
- Evening — Parade of costumed groups with stilt walkers, jugglers, and fire-eaters
Sunday, June 7
- 09:30 — Solidarity walk
- 11:00 — AMAS vintage car parade
- 17:00 — 27th International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship
- 17:15 — Grand final parade of costumed groups
- 19:00 — Opening of the 34th edition of the Crostatona, the giant cherry tart
- 21:00 approx. — Dance evening with Claudio and Luana
- 23:00 — Grand final fireworks show
Throughout the event, the Central Gardens hosted the Celleno Cherry Consortium stalls and food markets; on Sunday afternoon, the 'Terrace of Taste' offered food and wine tastings.
Highlights Cherry Festival 2026
- The giant Crostatona tart over twenty meters long (34th edition)
- The 27th International Cherry Pit Spitting Championship
- Parades of costumed groups with stilt walkers, jugglers, and fire-eaters
- Celleno Cherry Consortium stalls and cherry fritters
- Sunday night's final fireworks display
Prices Cherry Festival 2026
Practical information — Cherry Festival
Location
Celleno (VT), historic center and Central Gardens, in the heart of the Viterbo Tuscia, in the province of Viterbo (Lazio).
How to get there
Celleno is about 90 minutes from Rome. By car, from the A1 motorway, take the Orvieto exit to reach the village in about 30 minutes. Viterbo is just a few kilometers away.
Admission
Free admission. Tastings and food at the gastronomic stalls are subject to charge.
Organization
Event organized by Pro Loco Celleno with the patronage of the Municipality of Celleno.
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Where does it take place — Cherry Festival
Centro storico e Giardini Centrali di Celleno
Giardini Centrali, 01020 Celleno