Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival
Spaghetti alla carbonara in the land of the charcoal burners, with the Charcoal Burners' Palio
About Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival
The Land of the Charcoal Burners and its Festival
The Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival takes place in Fratticiola Selvatica, a hamlet in the Municipality of Perugia located on the hills northeast of the provincial capital. The village owes its identity to the craft of the charcoal burners, the men who once produced charcoal in the surrounding woods: a tradition that the festival keeps alive every summer, combining historical memory and popular celebration.
Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti and Local Cuisine
The signature dish is spaghetti alla carbonara, served here long before the festival began: the tradition of bringing it to the table for the village's patron saints predates the event itself by a long time. Alongside the spaghetti, the stands offer dishes from the local peasant cuisine:
- Charcoal burners' spaghetti alla carbonara
- Beans with pork rind
- Stewed lamb
- Local meats and specialties
The Charcoal Burners' Palio and the Mule Review
What makes this festival unique is its folkloric and re-enactment dimension. During the festival, the Mule and Packhorse Review takes place, bringing the pack animals that were central to charcoal transport back into focus, and above all, the Charcoal Burners' Palio: a competition where jockeys from the different districts compete on mules, amidst enthusiasm and local rivalry. The evenings are rounded off with live music from dance orchestras and DJ sets at the Donkey Pub.
Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival — edition 2026
The Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival 2026 returns to Fratticiola Selvatica, a hamlet of Perugia, from July 17th to 26th. For ten evenings, the land of the charcoal burners celebrates spaghetti alla carbonara and local peasant cuisine — beans with pork rind, stewed lamb — together with the Mule and Packhorse Review and the traditional Charcoal Burners' Palio, where district jockeys compete on mules. Every evening, live music with dance orchestras and DJ sets at the Donkey Pub.
Programme Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival 2026
Every Evening — July 17th to 26th
- In the evening — opening of the food stands with charcoal burners' spaghetti alla carbonara, beans with pork rind, stewed lamb, and local specialties
- Every evening — live music with dance orchestras and DJ sets at the Donkey Pub
Special Events
- Mule and Packhorse Review — the pack animals that were central to the ancient craft of charcoal burners
- Charcoal Burners' Palio — district jockeys compete on mules
The precise dates for the Review and the Palio within the festival will be announced by the Pro Loco of Fratticiola Selvatica in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival 2026
Prices Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival 2026
Practical information — Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival
How to get there
Fratticiola Selvatica is located on the hills northeast of Perugia, reachable by car via the roads leading to Ramazzano and Pieve San Quirico. The nearest train station is Perugia.
Opening hours and admission
Food stands open every evening. Free admission to the festival area.
Information
Program and details on the Pro Loco of Fratticiola Selvatica's channels.
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Where does it take place — Charcoal Burners' Spaghetti Festival
Fratticiola Selvatica