Choco Varchi
The sweetest weekend of the year in the heart of Montevarchi
About Choco Varchi
Choco Varchi, the chocolate festival in Valdarno
In the heart of Tuscany, in Montevarchi (Arezzo province), returns Choco Varchi, the artisanal chocolate event that turns Piazza Varchi and the historic center's streets into the "sweetest weekend of the year." For two days, this Valdarno town hub becomes a stage for scents, flavors, and entertainment, with stalls, live processing stations, and plenty of activities for both adults and children.
From cocoa bean to praline
The festival's core theme is the complete story of chocolate, from the raw cocoa bean to its artisanal forms: bars, chocolates, pralines, and Easter eggs. Visitors are guided by master chocolatier Fausto Ercolani of Artigiano Perugino, who, along with his team, demonstrates the various stages of production live. The event is intentionally scheduled near Easter, a season synonymous with chocolate.
Workshops, tastings, and show-cooking
The program blends taste with fun. Highlights include:
- Workshops for adults and children, with the chance to create your own Easter eggs and small chocolates to take home;
- Chocolate tastings paired with local wines from Valdarno and Tuscany;
- Show-cooking featuring tempering, decorating, and the preparation of spreads;
- Varchi in scena, the street arts festival that brings the afternoon to life with local actors and performers;
- The presence of special guest Willy Wonka, the iconic character from the "chocolate factory," a huge hit with the little ones.
An event for the local community
Choco Varchi was born from the collaboration between the Municipality of Montevarchi and the Centro Commerciale Naturale (CCN), aiming to promote the historic center and its shops, which remain open during the event. It is a young but already popular appointment that combines a passion for artisanal chocolate with the vibrancy of a town square festival in one of the most dynamic towns in the Valdarno area.
Choco Varchi — edition 2026
The second edition of Choco Varchi brought the historic center of Montevarchi to life on March 28-29, 2026, with Piazza Varchi transformed into the "sweetest weekend of the year." The absolute protagonist was artisanal chocolate, showcased from the cocoa bean to pralines and Easter eggs under the guidance of master chocolatier Fausto Ercolani.
The event, organized by the Municipality of Montevarchi with the Centro Commerciale Naturale, offered workshops, tastings, show-cooking, and entertainment for all ages, featuring special guest Willy Wonka and the "Varchi in scena" street arts festival.
Programme Choco Varchi 2026
Saturday, March 28
- From 10:00 AM — Opening of the event in Piazza Varchi with live demonstrations of chocolate making, from the cocoa bean to the finished product, by master Fausto Ercolani and his team.
- Chocolate workshops for adults and children (creating Easter eggs and chocolates).
- Afternoon — Varchi in scena on Via Roma: street arts and theater performances with local actors and artists.
Sunday, March 29
- Day dedicated to entertainment and gastronomy in Piazza Varchi and the historic center.
- Entertainment with the character Willy Wonka roaming the streets of the center.
- Chocolate tastings paired with local wines and show-cooking led by food and wine journalist Stanislao Liberatore.
- Workshops and activities for families.
Historic center shops open throughout the event.
Highlights Choco Varchi 2026
Prices Choco Varchi 2026
Practical information — Choco Varchi
How to get there
Montevarchi is located in Valdarno, along the A1 motorway (Valdarno exit) and on the Florence-Arezzo-Rome railway line (Montevarchi-Terranuova station). The event takes place in Piazza Varchi and the streets of the historic center, easily reachable on foot from the station.
Admission and hours
Admission to the event is free. Activities take place throughout the day, starting in the morning; tastings and workshops may have a dedicated fee. For updated schedules and workshop details, we recommend checking the official channels of the Municipality of Montevarchi and the Centro Commerciale Naturale.
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Where does it take place — Choco Varchi
Piazza Varchi
Piazza Varchi, 52025 Montevarchi