Feast of the Horse and Traditions
The horse meat and traditional flavors festival in Massa Finalese
About Feast of the Horse
A feast of flavors in the Bassa modenese
The Festa dell'Equino e delle Tradizioni is one of the most heartfelt gastronomic festivals in Massa Finalese, a populous hamlet of the Municipality of Finale Emilia, in the province of Modena (Emilia-Romagna). Organized by the Comitato Sagra di Rivara — a volunteer association active for over fifty years — the event focuses on a great protagonist of the peasant cuisine of these lands: horse meat, prepared according to the traditional recipes of the Bassa.
The cuisine takes center stage
The heart of the festival is the gastronomic stand, housed in the covered structure of the Pala Diversivo Prosolidar, on via Nives Barbieri. Here, the kitchen offers a menu that blends horse meat specialties with the great classics of Emilian tradition. Among the most requested dishes:
- Horse carpaccio with burrata cream and horse bresaola
- Bigoli with horse meat straccetti alla carbonara
- Pumpkin cappellacci with horse meat ragù (and in the version with the house ragù)
- Tagliata and foal fillet with vegetables
- First courses, side dishes, and desserts of local tradition
For those who prefer, there are also non-horse meat options, from pumpkin cappellacci with house ragù to eggplant parmigiana, up to veal rolls.
Music, markets, and fun
The Festa dell'Equino is not just about food: each edition offers musical evenings, aperitifs with music, and live shows, as well as the characteristic reuse market and activities for children, making the event suitable for the whole family. The atmosphere is typical of Emilian village festivals: convivial, genuine, and welcoming.
When and where
The festival typically takes place between the end of September and the beginning of October, spread over several weekends. The covered structure of the Pala Diversivo, near the Massa Finalese stadium, ensures the festival can take place even in bad weather. It is now a fixed event on the festival calendar of the province of Modena and the entire Emilia-Romagna region.
Feast of the Horse — edition 2026
The Feast of the Horse and Traditions 2026 returns to Massa Finalese (Finale Emilia, MO) with two weekends of celebration: September 24-25-26-27 and October 2-3-4, 2026. The gastronomic stand opens at 7:00 PM on weekdays, with lunch service from 12:00 PM on Sundays.
The dishes that have made the festival famous are confirmed — from horse meat specialties to the great classics of Emilian cuisine — along with musical evenings, musical aperitifs, the reuse market, and activities for children.
The detailed program of the evenings (shows and live music) will be published by the Comitato Sagra di Rivara on the official channels in the weeks leading up to the event.
Programme Feast of the Horse 2026
The detailed evening program for the 2026 edition (shows, concerts, and musical aperitifs) will be announced by the Comitato Sagra di Rivara in the weeks preceding the festival, through the official website and social media channels.
The structure of the event, confirmed for 2026, includes:
- Gastronomic stand open from 7:00 PM on weekdays and from 12:00 PM on Sundays, with horse meat specialties and traditional Emilian dishes.
- Musical evenings and musical aperitifs every evening.
- Live shows.
- Reuse market.
- Activities for children.
Highlights Feast of the Horse 2026
The highlights of the festival: tasting horse meat specialties (carpaccio, bigoli, pumpkin cappellacci with horse meat ragù, foal tagliata), musical evenings with aperitifs, and the reuse market. All indoors, at the Pala Diversivo Prosolidar.
Prices Feast of the Horse 2026
Practical information — Feast of the Horse
How to get there
Massa Finalese is a hamlet of Finale Emilia (MO). By car, it can be reached from the SS12 and the provincial roads of the Bassa modenese; the nearest motorway exit is Mirandola (A22). The festival is held at the Pala Diversivo Prosolidar, in via Nives Barbieri 4/A, in the stadium area.
Opening hours
The gastronomic stand opens at 7:00 PM on weekdays; on holidays (Sundays), lunch service is also available starting from 12:00 PM.
Reservations and contacts
Table reservations: 335 7550483. Information: 335 6086695 — 377 5383080. Email: [email protected]. It is advisable to check dates and times on the official channels before traveling.
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Where does it take place — Feast of the Horse
Pala Diversivo Prosolidar
Via Nives Barbieri 4/A, Massa Finalese, 41035 Finale Emilia