Cherry Festival of Longiano

A festival that smells of Romagna spring

The Cherry Festival is one of the most beloved events in the summer calendar of Longiano, a small hilltop village in the province of Forlì-Cesena, in Emilia-Romagna. Every year, at the beginning of June, the town celebrates the fruit that has marked the agricultural history of these hills: the cherry. The countryside around Longiano has been celebrated by the poet Tito Balestra and the screenwriter Tonino Guerra as the "valley of cherries," and the festival has paid homage to this identity for decades.

Where it takes place: the village of the Malatesta Castle

The event unfolds throughout the medieval historic center of Longiano, a perfectly preserved village dominated by the Malatesta Castle, now home to the Tito Balestra Foundation. The circular streets, the double ring of walls, and the village squares provide the backdrop for the stands, markets, and stages. Longiano is strategically located in the Rubicone Valley, halfway between the Cesena hinterland and the Romagna Riviera: an easy destination for those vacationing on the coast.

What to find at the festival

During the three days, the village transforms into a large open-air market:

• Fruit and vegetable market with cherries and products from local producers;
• Craft market along the village streets;
• Food stands managed by the Pro Loco, offering Romagna cuisine dishes;
• Concerts and shows every evening in the square;
• Cherry Palio, the challenge between the districts with games and skill tests.

The Cherry Palio

The fun heart of the festival is the Cherry Palio (also called "District Challenge"): Longiano's districts compete in traditional games and dexterity tests, involving young and old in a good-natured competition that livens up Saturday or Sunday afternoon. It's a moment when the community comes together and shows its village spirit.

An event for everyone

The festival has free admission and is organized by the Pro Loco of Longiano APS in collaboration with the Municipality of Longiano. It's a perfect opportunity to discover one of Romagna's most beautiful villages, taste local products, and experience the authentic atmosphere of a village festival, away from the crowds of the coast.