Colledara Porchetta Festival

A tradition spanning over a century and a half

The Colledara Porchetta Festival is the annual celebration that brings the town together every late August to honor its signature dish. We are in Colledara, a small town of about two thousand inhabitants in the province of Teramo, resting on the northern slopes of the Gran Sasso d'Italia, at the entrance to the picturesque Val Siciliana. Here, the art of porchetta dates back to 1860 and has been passed down through generations, following an ancient recipe that requires a rigorous artisanal preparation process and long roasting in traditional ovens.

The Masters of Porchetta

At the heart of the event are the Maestri della Porchetta di Colledara, united in the association that organizes the festival. These families and artisans have spent decades guarding the secrets of the craft: the selection of the meat, the spices, the seasoning, and the slow roasting that gives the porchetta its signature crispy crust and tender, fragrant meat, making it famous throughout Abruzzo. During the evenings, the stalls—open from 6:00 PM—serve freshly roasted porchetta along with other local specialties.

Music and evenings in the square

Beyond the gastronomy, the festival offers a rich entertainment program: live concerts, local and traveling folk groups, and performances on the stage set up in Piazza dell'Aviatore, behind the municipal building. Recent editions have featured high-profile artists and historic Italian music acts, turning late summer evenings into a grand celebration for both residents and visitors.

Colledara and the Val Siciliana

The festival is also a perfect opportunity to discover Colledara and its surroundings: a medieval village tied to the history of the Val Siciliana, featuring the fortified hamlet of Castiglione della Valle and extensive sections of ancient walls still preserved today. From here, the view stretches from the Sibillini Mountains to the Laga Mountains and the Gran Sasso, in a landscape that makes inland Abruzzo an ideal destination for those seeking nature, history, and fine dining.

An unmissable event

With free admission, a convivial atmosphere, and authentic flavors, the Colledara Porchetta Festival is one of the most iconic food events in the Teramo area, attracting thousands of visitors from across the region and beyond every year.