Cigola Unta Festival in Moncigoli

The Cigola Unta Festival, the delicious heart of Moncigoli

Every year, during the May Day long weekend, the small village of Moncigoli, in the municipality of Fivizzano (Massa-Carrara province, Tuscany), becomes the gourmet capital of Lunigiana. The Cigola Unta Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events in this border territory between Tuscany and Liguria, attracting visitors from across the province and the nearby Ligurian valleys.

What is "cigola unta"?

The name of the festival immediately reveals its star: cigola, which means onion in the local dialect. Cigola unta is a local variety of onion served in pinzimonio—raw and dressed with oil—a unique specialty of these Lunigiana villages. It is a simple, rustic dish rooted in the valley's rural culture, celebrated here as a symbol of the Moncigoli community's identity.

A decades-long tradition

The festival was born from the initiative of the G. Puccini Musical Society of Moncigoli, in collaboration with the local Pro Loco, and over the years it has become a staple of the Lunigiana spring calendar. The 2026 edition marks an important milestone: the thirtieth edition, a testament to an event that has successfully renewed itself while maintaining its popular and convivial spirit.

Traditional Lunigiana cuisine

Beyond the cigola unta, the food stand offers a rich menu of traditional peasant specialties:

• Homemade ravioli
• Grilled meats
• Polenta and tripe
• Fava beans and pecorino, the classic May Day pairing
• Sgabei, the typical Lunigiana fried dough strips
• Bruschetta, focaccine, and French fries
• Homemade desserts

Where and when

The festival takes place in the band hall of Moncigoli, the headquarters of the G. Puccini Musical Society—a covered, welcoming venue that allows you to enjoy the dishes even in the event of spring rain. The event is concentrated over the long May Day weekend, alternating between evening dinners and Sunday lunches over four days. An unmissable stop for those wanting to discover the most authentic flavors of the Tuscan Lunigiana.