Chestnut Festival of Scascoli

A village festival that smells of autumn

When the leaves of the chestnut groves turn red and orange, the ancient village of Scascoli — a hamlet of the Loiano Municipality, in the Metropolitan City of Bologna (Emilia-Romagna) — comes alive for one of the most heartfelt festivals in the Bolognese Apennines: the Festa dei Marroni di Scascoli. For an entire Sunday in October, the stone streets of the village fill with stalls, the aroma of roasted chestnuts, and music, in a setting of ancient houses and valleys.

The blond chestnut, the absolute protagonist

The heart of the festival is the blond chestnut of Scascoli, a local variety of chestnut appreciated for its light-colored flesh, sweet flavor, and ease of peeling. The festival was created precisely to promote and showcase this local excellence: along the village streets, you can buy fresh chestnuts, roasted chestnuts fresh from the fire, and wine from local producers.

Culture, tradition, and gastronomy

The program combines live music, exhibitions, shows, and gastronomy. Alongside the chestnuts, the stalls offer traditional Apennine dishes: polenta, pizza cooked in a wood-fired oven, local products, and mountain specialties served at lunch. There is no shortage of cultural entertainment, exhibitions, and moments dedicated to recounting local history, in a familiar and welcoming atmosphere.

A story of volunteering and solidarity

The festival was born in 1991 from a consortium of chestnut growers and later transformed into a charity event managed by volunteers from the Pro Loco of Loiano and the community of Scascoli. The organizers' motto — "to make people feel good and have fun" — reflects the spirit of an event that, year after year, donates its proceeds to charitable causes: from cancer research to supporting humanitarian projects and local healthcare services.

Why it's worth the trip

A few kilometers from Loiano and the astronomical observatory, Scascoli offers an authentic day away from mass tourism: a small Apennine village, its chestnut groves, autumn flavors, and the hospitality of a community that has gathered around its blond chestnut for over thirty years.