El di' de la festa - La sagra del riso Carnaroli
Paullo's patron saint's festival, capital of Carnaroli rice
About El di' de la festa
Paullo, the city of Carnaroli
El di' de la festa — "the day of the festival", in dialect — is the patron saint's festival of Paullo, a municipality in the province of Milan southeast of the regional capital, dedicated to the product that made the town famous: Carnaroli rice. This prized variety, considered the "king of rices" for risottos, was first selected here in 1945 by a local farmer, and has since been inextricably linked to the identity of Paullo and the Riso e Rane (Rice and Frogs) Rural District.
The Grande Risottata
The highlight of the festival is the Grande Risottata: a giant pot 2.3 metres in diameter, capable of holding up to 55 kg of rice, in which various Carnaroli recipes are prepared. On Saturday evening, chef Daniele Persegani, a familiar face on television cooking shows, hosts a cooking show and prepares the Grande Risottata Gourmet; on Sunday, it's the turn of traditional recipes, including El Risot de Paü, the Paullo-style risotto.
Not just rice
The festival is a journey of flavours and fun for the whole family: food trucks offering a gastronomic tour, lager brewed with rice, rice ice cream, stalls selling artistic crafts, and entertainment for children. The evenings are enlivened by live concerts, in a popular festival atmosphere that draws visitors from all over the Milan area.
A community festival at Parco Muzza
Organised by the Pro Loco of Paullo, the festival takes place at Parco Muzza, a large green space along the canal of the same name. El di' de la festa is much more than a food festival: it is the moment when Paullo celebrates its farming roots, promotes a nationally recognised excellence, and comes together around the table, in the name of Carnaroli rice.
El di' de la festa — edition 2026
El di' de la festa 2026, Paullo's Carnaroli rice festival, returns on June 18 and 19 at Parco Muzza. The star attraction is the Grande Risottata, prepared in the giant 2.3-metre diameter pot with three different Carnaroli recipes. On Saturday evening, chef Daniele Persegani hosts the cooking show and prepares the Grande Risottata Gourmet; Sunday is dedicated to traditional recipes, including El Risot de Paü. The festival also features food trucks, rice beer and ice cream, crafts, children's entertainment, and evening concerts.
Programme El di' de la festa 2026
Thursday/Saturday, June 18
- Afternoon — Cooking show with chef Daniele Persegani
- Evening — Preparation of the Grande Risottata Gourmet in the 2.3m diameter pot
- Live concert: Dan e i suoi fratelli
Friday/Sunday, June 19
- Traditional recipes based on Carnaroli rice, including El Risot de Paü (Paullo-style risotto)
- Live concert: HBH Band
Throughout the festival
- Food trucks with a gastronomic tour
- Rice-fermented lager and rice ice cream
- Artistic crafts and children's entertainment
Highlights El di' de la festa 2026
Prices El di' de la festa 2026
Practical information — El di' de la festa
How to get there
Paullo is in the province of Milan, southeast of the regional capital, along the SP415 Paullese road. It is easily reached by car from Milan and the eastern ring road; Parco Muzza is located along the Muzza canal.
When and admission
The festival is held in June at Parco Muzza, with the Grande Risottata and evening concerts. Free admission; food and drinks payable.
Information
Pro Loco Paullo (El di' de la festa Facebook page)
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Where does it take place — El di' de la festa
Parco Muzza
Parco Muzza, 20067 Paullo