Civitella Ceppe Festival

A festival dedicated to the ceppe of Civitella del Tronto

The Civitella Ceppe Festival is a summer highlight held in the hamlet of Santa Croce, within the municipality of Civitella del Tronto, in the heart of northern Abruzzo. The event celebrates ceppe, a fresh pasta typical of the local area: according to tradition, the name comes from the small wooden stick (the 'ceppa') around which the dough is rolled to create its signature elongated, hollow shape.

The signature dish and its variations

Throughout the evenings, ceppe are served in numerous ways, from the most classic recipes to creative modern twists, ensuring there is something for every palate. Recent editions have featured traditional meat sauce, white ragù, guanciale with sausage and porcini mushrooms, pistachio pesto with guanciale and ricotta, Amatriciana style, basil pesto, and a vegetarian option.

• Ceppe served with a wide variety of sauces
• Grilled Abruzzo arrosticini
• Sausage sandwiches
• Abruzzo caciotta cheese
• Desserts such as tiramisu and jam ring cake
• Beer, soft drinks, and coffee

Live music and evenings in the square

Beyond the culinary delights, the festival is renowned for its rich entertainment program: every evening features free concerts, tribute bands, and DJ sets that keep the village buzzing late into the night. Admission is free, and the atmosphere is that of a classic Abruzzo village feast, with long outdoor tables, families, and visitors from neighboring towns in the Teramo region.

A local event for the Civitella area

Organized by the ASD S. Croce association, the event began as a small village celebration and has grown rapidly to become one of the most anticipated food festivals at the end of summer in Civitella del Tronto. The village, famous for its imposing Bourbon Fortress—one of the largest fortified complexes in Italy—offers visitors the perfect opportunity to combine a trip to the historic center with the discovery of a signature dish like ceppe.

When it takes place

The festival is traditionally held in the latter part of August, spanning five consecutive evenings. The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced: we recommend checking for updates on the organization's social media channels before planning your visit.