Dallow Deer Festival

The Deer Festival in Pelago

In the heart of the Florentine Valdarno, just a few kilometers from Florence, the town of Pelago (Province of Florence, Tuscany) hosts the Deer Festival every spring, one of the most distinctive gastronomic events in the area. The event is organized by the historic La Banduccia team and takes place at the G. La Pira Pastoral Center on Via Vallombrosana, where food stands and dining halls are set up for lunch and dinner.

A festival dedicated to game meat

The festival is entirely dedicated to venison, a specialty of Tuscan cuisine rooted in the hunting traditions of the Apennine hills. For two days, visitors can enjoy dishes prepared according to local recipes: from penne with venison ragù to the famous venison peposo (a traditional peppered stew), and oven-roasted venison leg, all accompanied by side dishes, desserts, Vin Santo, and wine. For those who prefer not to eat game, grilled steak is available as an alternative.

A popular and convivial gathering

The Deer Festival is an event with an authentic village feel, where traditional cooking meets the warmth of community celebrations. The La Banduccia team, deeply involved in the social life of Pelago, manages the preparation of the dishes and welcomes the many guests who choose this festival as their spring gastronomic destination every year. Over the years, the event has shifted its place in the calendar, moving from late summer to early spring, while maintaining its character as a popular local festival.

Pelago and the Florentine Valdarno

Located on the first slopes that divide the plains of Florence from the Casentino and the Vallombrosa forest, Pelago is a village of ancient origins nestled in a landscape of woods and olive groves. The Deer Festival is an ideal opportunity to discover this less-touristy corner of Tuscany, combining fine dining with the tranquil beauty of the Valdarno hills.

Practical information

Entry to the stands is free, while meals are served as a fixed-price menu. Reservations are mandatory to attend lunches and dinners. The event is traditionally held on the first weekend of April, opening on Saturday evening and continuing through Sunday lunch.