Festa delle Castagne

Autumn tastes like chestnuts

There are festivals that mark a town's calendar. In Montenars, a small municipality in the Friulian foothills at the foot of Monte Cuarnan, autumn coincides with the Festa delle Castagne (Chestnut Festival): the most anticipated event of the year, capable of attracting visitors from all over the region for several weekends in October. A historic event, now in its fortieth edition, which makes the chestnut its central theme.

From the woods to the table

The heart of the festival are the food and wine stalls dedicated to chestnuts, accompanied by local dishes, craft beers, and Friulian wines. But the real fun begins in the woods: on Saturdays, there are guided walks for freely collecting chestnuts, while on Sundays, excursions multiply, between morning and afternoon, along the paths and the Orvenco stream.

Music, crafts, and children

The program is rich and designed for all ages. It ranges from live concerts — with local bands and ensembles — to carved wood exhibitions, from Briscola tournaments to photographic competitions. For the little ones, there is a full calendar of creative workshops, face painting, pony rides, zip lines, and autumn-themed games, making the festival a perfect destination for families too.

Montenars, a balcony over Friuli

Organized by the Pro Loco of Montenars with the support of the Municipality, the festival is also an opportunity to discover this village overlooking the Friulian plain, a starting point for numerous hiking trails. An authentic corner of Friuli, where the bond with the forest and the land is still very much alive.