Cherry Festival

A Village Festival Dedicated to Cherries

The Cherry Festival is one of the most cherished events in the summer calendar of Villanova sull'Arda, a small municipality in the Province of Piacenza overlooking the Po plain, in the heart of the Emilian Food Valley. Organized by the Pro Loco Villanova sull'Arda, the event celebrates the cherry, a fruit that has made the cherry orchards of the Bassa Piacentina famous, and takes place over two weekends in June in the town center and surrounding orchards.

Among the Festive Cherry Orchards

The charm of the festival stems from its direct connection to the countryside: the absolute protagonist is the walk through the cherry trees, which leads visitors to discover the orchards in production, often ending with a tasting at local farmhouses. For those who prefer not to walk, there is the famous cherry train, which connects the town center to the orchards, and the option of bike rides among the rows of trees. Visits to the flowered carpets of Vidalenzo, accessible by shuttle service, complete the nature-focused offerings.

Music, Dancing, and Tradition

The evenings are enlivened by ballroom dancing, with live bands performing under the marquee set up by the Pro Loco, the true convivial heart of the festival. There are also entertainment moments for all ages: mini-basketball tournaments, the greased pole game, exhibitions, darts tournaments, and cultural initiatives that renew the spirit of Emilian popular tradition.

The Flavors of the Cherry

The gastronomic heart of the event is the Pro Loco stalls, where you can taste typical Piacenza cuisine accompanied by cherry-based specialties: desserts, jams, ice creams, and preparations that highlight the freshly picked fruit. The market of typical products and crafts accompanies visitors throughout the festival days.

An Event for the Entire Region

More than just a food festival, the Cherry Festival is an opportunity to rediscover the rural identity of Villanova sull'Arda and the Bassa Piacentina, a border area between Emilia-Romagna and Lombardy marked by the course of the Po River. The event attracts visitors from the entire province each year, confirming itself as one of the most beloved gastronomic and folk festivals in the Piacenza area.