Festa del Lard d'Arnad DOP
Edition 2026 Gastronomy Cheese Local produce

Festa del Lard d'Arnad DOP

Four days dedicated to the only European PDO lard, in Arnad

Arnad — Valle d'Aosta/Vallée d'Aoste (007)
Dates 27 Aug — 30 Aug 2026
Location Arnad (007)
Prices Free
Status Confirmed

About Festa del Lardo di Arnad

In Arnad, in the lower Aosta Valley, a historic sagra (traditional festival) celebrates the Valle d'Aosta Lard d'Arnad DOP every late August, the only lard in Europe with Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). Four days of tastings, typical dishes 'a la moda d'Arnà', food workshops with guest chefs, live music, theatre, children's entertainment, farm animals, and demonstrations of ancient crafts. A food and wine festival that attracts over 50,000 visitors from across Europe.

The festival of Europe's only PDO lard

The Festa del Valle d'Aosta Lard d'Arnad DOP is the sagra (traditional festival) that in Arnad, in the lower Aosta Valley, celebrates a unique product every late August: Lard d'Arnad, the only lard in Europe to boast Protected Designation of Origin (PDO). It is a traditional Aosta Valley cured meat, obtained using ancient artisanal techniques and aged according to strict EU-certified regulations. The event is organised by the Associazione Lo Doïl and takes place in the La Keya area.

Four days of taste and tradition

For four days, Arnad becomes the heart of Aosta Valley's food and wine scene: exhibitors offer the PDO lard and local typical products in characteristic wooden huts, while in the pavilions, traditional dishes "a la moda d'Arnà" are served. To enrich the offering, there's zero-km artisanal ice cream made with fresh milk from the Evançon dairy, in blueberry, honey, and hazelnut flavours.

Food workshops and guest chefs

Among the most popular events are the food workshops, led by guest chefs who showcase the PDO lard in innovative culinary ways, with guided tastings. Alongside the cuisine, the programme includes live music, theatre performances, dancing evenings, wellness and yoga sessions.

A festival for the whole family

The sagra is designed for all ages: children's games, farm animals, demonstrations of ancient crafts, and entertainment fill the days. With over 50,000 visitors from across Europe, the Festa del Lardo is one of the most important food and wine events in the Aosta Valley Region and an opportunity to discover the territory and its authentic flavours.

Festa del Lardo di Arnad — edition 2026

The 53rd edition of the Festa del Valle d'Aosta Lard d'Arnad DOP is scheduled for late August 2026 in Arnad, in the La Keya area. Four days of tastings of PDO lard, typical 'a la moda d'Arnà' dishes, food workshops, music, theatre, and entertainment for families. The detailed program will be announced by the Associazione Lo Doïl in the months preceding the event.

The 53rd edition of the Festa del Lardo returns to Arnad in late August 2026, in the La Keya area. The event maintains its tried-and-tested four-day format, featuring tastings of Valle d'Aosta Lard d'Arnad DOP, typical "a la moda d'Arnà" dishes served in the pavilions, wooden huts with local products, and food workshops led by guest chefs. Completing the program are live music, theatre performances, dancing evenings, wellness sessions, and numerous activities for children, from games to farm animals. The detailed schedule and guests for the 2026 edition will be communicated by the Associazione Lo Doïl on the official website in the weeks leading up to the event.

Programme Festa del Lardo di Arnad 2026

The detailed program for the 53rd edition will be announced by the Associazione Lo Doïl in the months preceding the festival, on the official website lardarnadop.com.

Usual structure of the event (4 days)

  • Thursday — Memorial road race, opening of the Festival, dinner with typical "a la moda d'Arnà" dishes, food workshop, dancing evening with DJ
  • Friday — Wellness session with the Arnad yoga association, lunch and dinner with typical dishes, food workshop with guest chef, theatre, and dancing evening
  • Saturday — Side events, food workshop with guest chef, entertainment, and dancing evening
  • Sunday — Exhibition and sale of local products in the wooden huts, lunch at the exhibitors' stands, afternoon with folk music, final dinner with dancing

Throughout the event: food stands, zero-km artisanal ice cream from the Evançon dairy, children's games, farm animals, and demonstrations of ancient crafts.

Highlights Festa del Lardo di Arnad 2026

Tastings of Lard d'Arnad DOP, food workshops with guest chefs, and the four evenings of traditional cuisine, music, and dance.

Prices Festa del Lardo di Arnad 2026

Admission to the festival and events is free. Meals and tastings are charged at the stands.

Practical information — Festa del Lardo di Arnad

How to get there

Arnad is located in the lower Aosta Valley, along the A5 motorway (Verrès or Pont-Saint-Martin exit). The festival takes place in the La Keya area. Arnad is also reachable by train, with a station on the Aosta-Ivrea-Turin line.

Dates and admission

Late August 2026 (53rd edition). Admission to the festival and events is free; meals and tastings are charged at the stands.

Tips

Arrive hungry to taste the PDO lard in its various preparations and book the food workshops, which are highly sought after. Take the opportunity to buy the product directly from the producers.

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Where does it take place — Festa del Lardo di Arnad

Località La Keya, Arnad

Località La Keya, 11020 Arnad

Contact Festa del Lardo di Arnad

Tel
+39 328 7188673

Festa del Lardo di Arnad in brief

Gastronomy Cheese Local produce Folk traditions Folklore Family Children Playful Outdoor Free Valle d'Aosta/Vallée d'Aoste

History of Festa del Lardo di Arnad