Festa d'la Chisöla
The festival of focaccia with ciccioli, a De.Co. product of Borgonovo Val Tidone
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Festa d'la Chisöla
The festival of chisöla, symbol of Borgonovo
The Festa d'la Chisöla is the event that has been telling the gastronomic identity of Borgonovo Val Tidone for almost sixty years. This is a municipality in the province of Piacenza nestled between the hills of Emilia-Romagna and the plain crossed by the Tidone stream. Organized by the Pro Loco (local tourism board) since 1967, the festival is held every year at the beginning of September and transforms the town center into a large open-air gastronomic village.
What is chisöla?
Chisöla is a simple focaccia born in the peasant world: a dough of water and flour enriched with ciccioli, obtained from the processing of pork fat. It is a historic local dish, today protected by the Municipal Denomination of Origin (De.Co.) of Borgonovo Val Tidone. Legend has it that a similar focaccia was offered in 1155 to the army of Frederick Barbarossa passing through these lands. During the festival, the chisöla is enjoyed hot, accompanied by white wines from the Colli Piacentini such as Ortrugo and the red Gutturnio, as well as typical cured meats and cheeses.
Three days of festival
The program unfolds over the weekend with a well-tested alternation of taste, music, and tradition:
- Food stalls in the squares of the center (Piazza Garibaldi, Piazza De Cristoforis), with chisöla as the star and dishes from Piacenza cuisine;
- Markets of artisanal and gastronomic products along the town's streets;
- Concerts and live music every evening, from cover bands to ballroom orchestras;
- Folkloristic performances, dance schools, street artists, and traditional games;
- the sale of chisöla in the square on Sunday morning, the highlight for those who want to take some home.
Admission is free: just show up in town and let yourself be guided by the aroma of freshly baked focaccia.
An event for the entire Val Tidone
The Festa d'la Chisöla is much more than a village festival: it is the moment when Borgonovo Val Tidone celebrates its roots and welcomes visitors from the Val Tidone and the entire province of Piacenza. On the same days, the historic center often hosts food and wine events dedicated to local wines, such as the Ortrugo & Chisöla review, which combines the town's signature product with the prince of white wines from the Piacenza hills.
Festa d'la Chisöla — edition 2026
In 2026, the Festa d'la Chisöla returns to Borgonovo Val Tidone for what should be the 60th edition, an important milestone for an event that began in 1967. The dates currently circulating (August 30 - September 1, 2026) are marked as provisional and not yet officially confirmed by the Pro Loco: before planning your visit, it's advisable to check the definitive calendar on the association's official channels.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (concerts, guests, stall hours) has not yet been published. Based on previous editions, the festival will feature the sale and tasting of chisöla with wines from the Colli Piacentini, food stalls in the town squares, live music every evening, craft markets, folkloristic performances, and street artists. Admission, as per tradition, should remain free.
Programme Festa d'la Chisöla 2026
The detailed program for the 60th Festa d'la Chisöla has not yet been published by the Pro Loco of Borgonovo Val Tidone. The dates (August 30 - September 1, 2026) are currently indicative and pending confirmation.
Based on previous editions, the expected structure is as follows:
- Food stalls with chisöla, cured meats, cheeses, and wines Ortrugo and Gutturnio from the Colli Piacentini, generally open from the evening;
- Concerts and live music every evening in the town squares;
- Markets of artisanal products and local specialties;
- Folkloristic performances, dance schools, street artists, and traditional games;
- Sale of chisöla in the square on Sunday morning.
The names of the musical guests and the precise times will be announced on the Pro Loco's official channels in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Festa d'la Chisöla 2026
- Likely the 60th edition, a historic milestone for the festival founded in 1967
- Tasting of De.Co. chisöla with wines from the Colli Piacentini
- Three evenings of live music and dancing in the historic center
- Free admission
Prices Festa d'la Chisöla 2026
Practical information — Festa d'la Chisöla
How to get there
Borgonovo Val Tidone is located about 25 km west of Piacenza. By car, it can be reached from the A21 motorway (Castel San Giovanni exit) continuing along the SP412 of Val Tidone. The nearest train station is Piacenza, from which buses depart for Val Tidone.
Admission and hours
Admission to the festival is free. Food stalls generally open in the evening, around 7:30 PM, while on Sundays, it starts in the morning with the sale of chisöla in the square and daytime events.
Tips
The historic center is partially closed to traffic: it is advisable to park in the external areas and reach the squares on foot. The live music evenings are very popular; arriving a little early helps to find a seat.
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Where does it take place — Festa d'la Chisöla
Centro storico di Borgonovo Val Tidone
Piazza Garibaldi, 29011 Borgonovo Val Tidone