Festa della Dea in Venere

A festival born from the community

The Festa della Dea in Venere is one of the most beloved village festivals in the Arezzo area of Tuscany. It takes place in the small hamlet of Venere, located in the countryside east of the city towards Palazzo del Pero, and was born from the simple yet profound desire of the villagers to gather and keep community life alive. For over thirty years, the local committee has organized this event, which attracts visitors from across the Province of Arezzo.

Gastronomy and music: the "gastro-rock" partnership

The festival has earned the nickname of summer gastro-rock partnership because it combines two souls: fine dining and live music. The food stand typically opens around 7:30 PM and offers traditional Aretine peasant cuisine, most notably the famous Maccheroni co l'ocio, pasta served with a rich goose ragù, which has become the symbol of the event.

• Food stand featuring Tuscan specialties and traditional maccheroni co l'ocio
• Live music, ballroom dancing, and dance evenings
• DJ sets and entertainment for younger crowds
• Open-air social spaces in the heart of the village

When it takes place

The Festa della Dea has a unique feature: it returns twice a year, usually on the first weekend of June and the first weekend of September. The September edition, which marks the end of summer, is traditionally the most popular and spans three days from Friday to Sunday.

The village atmosphere

What makes this festival special is its authenticity: no large commercial stages, just the genuine hospitality of a small Tuscan village. Evenings pass by with the scent of dishes prepared by volunteers, chatter at outdoor tables, and music that accompanies the conviviality late into the night. For those who want to experience the most authentic Tuscany—the one of village festivals in the Municipality of Arezzo—the Festa della Dea in Venere is the perfect occasion.