Chiesanovese Festival and Eel Festival
Three weekends of eel, tradition, and celebration in the heart of Santo Stefano a Macerata, Cascina
About Eel Festival
A village festival that smells like eel
The Chiesanovese Festival and Eel Festival is one of the most beloved events of the "May" season in Santo Stefano a Macerata, a district of the municipality of Cascina, in the Province of Pisa. For nearly forty years, every spring, the village gathers around Piazza Archimede Bartoli for three weekends of conviviality, good food, and fun. It is one of those traditional village festivals where the entire community gets involved, and where the star dish tells an ancient story of the waters and canals of the Pisan plains.
Eel, the queen of the table
The heart of the event is the kitchen. At the festival restaurant, eel is served in all its classic forms: fried, stewed, or as a flavorful sauce for spaghetti. Alongside the signature dish, there are other local traditional specialties served at affordable prices, as well as the famous bomboloni (filled doughnuts) from the pastry stand. The food stalls open every evening at 7:30 PM: you can order directly at the counter or book your table and meals in advance, which is highly recommended as seating is limited.
Music, dancing, and markets
The Chiesanovese Festival is about more than just gastronomy. Every evening after dinner, the festival grounds light up with live music, ballroom dancing, and vernacular theater performances—a Tuscan tradition that never fails to bring a smile. Throughout the event, the craft and antique market, the beer garden, and the funfair remain open, delighting families and children alike.
A tradition nearly forty years long
Organized by the Comitato Arci Chiesanova with the support of local associations, the festival is a landmark for Santo Stefano a Macerata and the entire Cascina area. The event traditionally kicks off with a recreational fun run, which is part of the provincial racing circuit and attracts walkers and enthusiasts from all over the region. Between one evening and the next, the festival is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Tuscany far from the beaten tourist path, where the celebration is still made of volunteers, family recipes, and the joy of being together.
How to experience the festival
- Where: Piazza Archimede Bartoli, Santo Stefano a Macerata, Cascina (PI)
- When: Three weekends between May and June
- Kitchen hours: Every evening from 7:30 PM
- Admission: Free, with free parking
- Don't miss: Fried eel and spaghetti with eel sauce
Eel Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition celebrated the 40th anniversary of the Chiesanovese Festival, confirming the format of three spring weekends in Piazza Archimede Bartoli, in Santo Stefano a Macerata (Cascina, PI). The festival restaurant opened every evening at 7:30 PM with eel served fried, stewed, or as a sauce for spaghetti, alongside other traditional dishes and bomboloni. The evenings featured live music, ballroom dancing, and performances, while the market, beer garden, and funfair remained open throughout the event.
Programme Eel Festival 2026
Event structure
The 40th edition was spread over three weekends: May 22-24, May 29-31, and June 5-7, 2026.
- Every evening from 7:30 PM — Opening of the festival restaurant with fried and stewed eel, spaghetti with eel sauce, traditional dishes, beer garden, and bomboloni stand.
- In the evening — Live music, ballroom dancing, and vernacular theater.
- Throughout the event — Craft and antique market and funfair.
Reservations were made on the morning of the day for that evening's dinner. The evening artist schedule is defined by the Comitato Arci Chiesanova closer to the event.
Highlights Eel Festival 2026
Prices Eel Festival 2026
Practical information — Eel Festival
How to get there
Santo Stefano a Macerata is a district of Cascina, in the Province of Pisa. By car, it can be reached via the SS67 Tosco-Romagnola or the FI-PI-LI highway (Cascina exit). By train, the reference station is Cascina, on the Pisa-Florence line, from which you can continue in a few minutes. The nearest airport is Pisa Galileo Galilei.
Prices and reservations
Free admission. You only pay for what you consume at the festival restaurant, with affordable prices. Reservations are made on the morning of the day itself for that evening's dinner (Friday morning for Friday evening, and so on). Seating is limited: it is best to book to avoid waiting.
Practical tips
Free parking is available nearby. The festival is family-friendly thanks to the funfair. For information and reservations, you can contact the Comitato Arci Chiesanova at +39 333 1731942 or via their official website.
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Where does it take place — Eel Festival
Piazza Archimede Bartoli, Santo Stefano a Macerata
Piazza Archimede Bartoli, 56021 Cascina