Country Life Festival
A re-enactment of threshing traditions and rural heritage in Pianella
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Country Life Festival
A festival dedicated to the rural memory of Abruzzo
The Country Life Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in Pianella, a town in the province of Pescara, nestled in the heart of the Terra dei Vestini in Abruzzo. Established around 2005 and reaching its twenty-first edition in 2025, the festival is traditionally held in July at the Via Torino fairgrounds. It was born from a desire to preserve and pass on the rural culture that has defined life in this hilly territory overlooking the Adriatic Sea for centuries.
The threshing re-enactment
The most anticipated and iconic moment of the festival is the threshing re-enactment: a field is transformed into an open-air stage where vintage agricultural machinery returns to action, showcasing the ancient gestures of field work and stories passed down through generations. Historic tractors, threshers, and old-time tools show visitors how grain was harvested and processed before modern mechanization, in an atmosphere that blends spectacle, education, and collective emotion.
Traditional gastronomy
Alongside the re-enactment, the Country Life Festival is a journey into the authentic flavors of Abruzzese peasant cuisine. Every evening, food stalls open to offer dishes inspired by "lu magnà de na vote" (the food of yesteryear): simple yet genuine recipes, tied to local produce and seasonality, rediscovered to introduce younger generations and visitors to the traditional tastes of the Pianella area.
Environment and community
- Threshing re-enactment with vintage agricultural machinery
- Food stalls featuring traditional peasant cuisine
- Exhibition of historic agricultural tools and vehicles
- Open-air evenings with music, conviviality, and folk culture
Organized by the Terra Viva APS Association with the patronage of the Municipality of Pianella, the festival is the result of the hard work of volunteers and enthusiasts who bring a piece of local history back to life every year. It is an event designed for families and all ages, capable of weaving together memory, identity, and a sense of community in one of the most genuine corners of the Pescara hinterland.
Country Life Festival — edition 2026
The dates for the 2026 edition of the Country Life Festival in Pianella (Pescara) have not yet been announced by the organizers. The festival, managed by the Terra Viva APS Association with municipal support, is usually held in July: in 2024 it took place from July 19th to 21st, and in 2025 from July 18th to 20th. A return in July 2026 is therefore expected, featuring the threshing re-enactment, vintage agricultural machinery, and food stalls serving traditional peasant cuisine. The detailed program will be communicated by the organizers on their official channels.
Practical information — Country Life Festival
How to get there
Pianella is located in the hilly hinterland of the province of Pescara, in Abruzzo. By car, it can be reached from the A25 motorway (Chieti-Pescara exit) or the A14 along the Adriatic coast, then continuing on provincial roads towards the interior. The festival area is located on Via Torino. The nearest airports and train stations are in Pescara.
Admission and hours
The event takes place in the evening, with food stalls generally opening from 7:30 PM. Access to the area is free; you only pay for what you consume at the stalls. The threshing re-enactment is held on the afternoon of the final day.
Tips
We recommend comfortable clothing and shoes suitable for rural terrain. For updated dates and programs, it is useful to follow the event's Facebook page.
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Where does it take place — Country Life Festival
Area festeggiamenti di Via Torino
Via Torino 2500, 65019 Pianella