Festa del Toro allo Spiedo

The spit-roasted bull, a trademark of San Tomio

The Festa del Toro allo Spiedo is the most distinctive festival of the hamlet of San Tomio di Malo, a municipality in the Alto Vicentino area in the province of Vicenza. The signature dish is the spit-roasted bull, slow-cooked for about fifteen hours with aromatic herbs: a preparation so tied to the territory that it has obtained the municipal designation De.Co. (Denominazione Comunale - Municipal Designation).

A decades-long history

Now in its 39th edition in 2025, the festival is one of the longest-running in the area: it began in the 1980s and has since attracted large crowds every summer, becoming a gastronomic landmark for the entire Vicenza province. It is organized by Pro Loco San Tomio, which takes care of every detail, from the bull's cooking to the evening entertainment.

Gastronomy, music, and dancing

Alongside the spit-roasted bull, served in rolls with polenta and side dishes, the food stand offers sausages, mixed grills, bruschetta, French fries, children's meals, and desserts, with sangria and cocktails at Bar Trapolon. The evenings are enlivened by show orchestras, DJ sets, baby dance for the little ones, and ballroom dancing nights, in a formula that combines good food and fun for all ages.

An event at the end of June

The festival traditionally takes place on the last weekend of June, over three days. It is deeply felt by the community of San Tomio and Malo, and represents one of the main events of the summer in the Alto Vicentino area.