Certaldo Wild Boar Festival

The Wild Boar Festival of the Florentine Hills

The Certaldo Wild Boar Festival is one of the most deeply rooted food and wine events in the Florentine Valdelsa. Born in the early nineties in Certaldo (FI), the medieval village that was the birthplace of Giovanni Boccaccio, the event has maintained its popular and genuine spirit over the years, becoming a highly anticipated date for lovers of Tuscan game cuisine. The 2026 edition marks the 34th year of an uninterrupted history of conviviality and good food.

Where it takes place today

While keeping its name linked to Certaldo, for several years now the festival has found its permanent home at the Parco Urbano in Montespertoli, also in the province of Florence, in the heart of one of Tuscany's most renowned wine and olive oil producing areas. The choice of the Urban Park allows visitors to be welcomed in heated, indoor facilities, a valuable solution for an event held between late April and early May, when the hilly climate can still be cool. A takeaway service is also available for those who prefer to enjoy the dishes at home.

The cuisine in the spotlight

The true heart of the festival is the table. Wild boar cuisine, prepared according to traditional Tuscan peasant recipes, is offered in numerous variations. Among the specialties you can taste:

• Appetizers: mixed Tuscan cured meats and wild boar charcuterie, crostini;
• First courses: fresh homemade tortelli, pappardelle with wild boar ragù, polenta;
• Main courses: the famous wild boar stew with black olives, wild boar steak, oven-baked roe deer with potatoes, and grilled meats;
• Wines from the Florentine hills and homemade desserts to finish the meal.

The dishes are prepared by volunteers from the local hunting team, guardians of a culinary knowledge linked to hunting and local traditions.

A community event

The Wild Boar Festival is above all a village feast, organized by the ASD Canard-Fiorentina, the team of hunters that has brought the event to life for decades. The atmosphere is the frank and welcoming one of Tuscan festivals, where you sit at shared long tables and chat between courses. To ensure service during peak times, reservations are recommended. The event is held over two weekends spanning April and May, including the public holidays most loved by Italians for a getaway in the Tuscan hills.