Fair of the Po and Fried Fish
The historic fair of Calendasco dedicated to the great river and fried fish
About Fair of the Po
A festival that tells the story of the great river
The Fair of the Po and Fried Fish is the symbolic event of Calendasco, a small municipality in the Piacenza plain overlooking the course of the Po River, in Emilia-Romagna. Founded in 1964 on the initiative of some young people from the town, the fair has grown to become one of the most beloved spring events in the province of Piacenza, attracting thousands of visitors in a single weekend.
The soul of the festival is the bond between the village and the river: fried Po fish is the specialty that gives the event its name and is enjoyed at stands scattered throughout the town center and its hamlets. Alongside the fried fish, you'll find Piacenza DOP cured meats, offerings from the 1960s osteria in the Town Hall square, and stands managed by the Alpini and local associations.
What makes the Fair of the Po special
- Boat trips on the Po from the Masero locality, to discover the great river and its banks up close.
- Exhibitions at the Castle of Calendasco, an ancient manor linked to the Via Francigena, with displays of painting, photography, sculpture, and installations dedicated to the river and its stories.
- Market, traditional games, and an exhibition of vintage agricultural machinery, recalling the fair's rural origins.
- Dialect shows and comedies, live music, and non-competitive walks along the banks of the Po.
A tradition of the Piacenza region
Suspended only for two years due to the pandemic, the Fair of the Po and Fried Fish reached its 60th edition in 2026, confirming itself as an identity event for Calendasco and for the entire Val Trebbia and Piacenza plain. It is an authentic, free, and family-friendly village festival, where nature, good food, culture, and local history intertwine in the heart of the Bassa Piacentina.
Fair of the Po — edition 2026
The 60th edition of the Fair of the Po and Fried Fish animated Calendasco on March 28 and 29, 2026, with the historic center, the castle, and the banks of the Po as the backdrop for a grand celebration of tradition, taste, and culture. The formula that has drawn thousands of visitors for decades was confirmed: food stands, boat trips on the river, exhibitions, and shows for all ages.
Programme Fair of the Po 2026
Saturday, March 28
- 3:00 PM – Non-competitive walk "Du pass in riva al Po" with the Italian Sports Center (routes of 4, 6, and 9 km)
- 3:00 PM – Games and tournaments at the Sports Center and Sports Hall
- 5:30 PM – Inauguration of the painting exhibition "Eugenio Ermeti, Ernesto Mazzoni. Artists at the castle"
- 9:00 PM – Dialect comedy at the Castle of Calendasco "La forsa 'd l'intaress e buoi dei paesi tuoi" with the La Curt di Sigullon theater company from Borgonovo
Sunday, March 29
- 10:00 AM – "Six-legged walk" starting from the swimming pool square
- 11:15 AM – Official inauguration of the Fair of the Po
- 12:00 PM – Inauguration of the exhibition "Sturgeon Stories" at the Castle of Calendasco
- 12:00 PM – Opening of the 1960s Osteria in the Town Hall square
- 2:30 PM – Live music with Michela Giordano (Town Hall square)
- From 3:00 PM – Boat trips on the Po at the Masero locality
Throughout the fair: market, traditional games, exhibition of vintage agricultural machinery, and food stands with fried fish.
Highlights Fair of the Po 2026
- Fried Po fish at the stands of the Alpini, Trattoria Sbaraglio, and Osteria di Santimento
- Boat trips on the great river from the Masero locality
- Exhibitions at the Castle of Calendasco: painting, photography, sculpture, and the "Sturgeon Stories" exhibition
- Dialect comedy, live music, and walks along the banks of the Po
- Exhibition of vintage agricultural machinery and traditional games for children
Prices Fair of the Po 2026
Practical information — Fair of the Po
How to get there
Calendasco is located a few kilometers from Piacenza, along the road that runs alongside the Po River. It is reachable by car from the SS10 and the Piacenza ring road; recommended highway exit is Piacenza Ovest (A21).
Where it takes place
Events are concentrated in the historic center (Piazza Bergamaschi, Town Hall square), at the Castle of Calendasco, and in the Masero locality for boat trips on the Po.
Admission
Access to the fair is free. Food stands and some activities (boat trips, by reservation) are subject to a fee.
Information
Municipality of Calendasco, tel. +39 0523 772722.
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Where does it take place — Fair of the Po
Centro storico e Castello di Calendasco
Piazza Bergamaschi, 29010 Calendasco