Collicello Wild Boar Festival

The festival that tells the story of the Alto Aterno

The Collicello Wild Boar Festival is one of the most deeply rooted gastronomic events of the summer in the province of L'Aquila. It takes place in Collicello, a small hamlet in the municipality of Cagnano Amiterno, in the Alto Aterno area nestled at the foot of the Gran Sasso massif in Abruzzo. Established in the early nineties, the event has long since passed its quarter-century milestone: in 2025, it celebrated its 34th edition, cementing its status as a staple for families, vacationers, and local volunteers.

Wild boar as the star of the table

The heart of the festival is, of course, the wild boar, a game animal long associated with the cuisine of these mountains. During the festival, the stalls set up near the La Chenga headquarters offer a menu focused on local flavors:

• wild boar and truffle fettuccine;
• truffle bruschetta;
• grilled arrosticini and sausages;
• fries and side dishes, paired with local white and red wines;
• all kinds of desserts and the famous warm croissants at the end of the night.

The kitchen, run by the association's volunteers, is the true soul of the event: hearty, authentic dishes that tell the story of the livestock and hunting traditions of the L'Aquila hinterland.

Music, dancing, and a white night

Beyond the gastronomy, the Wild Boar Festival offers a rich entertainment program every evening. The nights are enlivened by ballroom dance orchestras, while for the younger crowd, the open-air disco kicks off after midnight. The event traditionally spans several consecutive evenings in August, starting in the early evening and concluding with a white night that keeps the village buzzing until the small hours.

A community celebration

Organized by the La Chenga Cultural Association, the festival is much more than just a food event: it is a gathering that strengthens the sense of community in Collicello and the neighboring hamlets of Cagnano Amiterno. In the calendar of summer festivals in the L'Aquila area, it represents one of the most anticipated events, drawing visitors from across the Alto Aterno region and nearby parts of Abruzzo.