Festival of Gnocchi
The festival of handmade gnocchi at the Giardini del Pincio of San Ginesio
About Gnocchi Festival
A festival that smells of tradition
The Festival of Gnocchi is one of the most cherished summer events in San Ginesio, a village in the hinterland of Macerata province, in Marche, known as the "balcony of the Sibillini" for the panorama that opens onto the mountains and the Marche countryside from its walls. For almost forty years, in mid-August, the festival has drawn residents, holidaymakers, and visitors from neighboring towns to the Giardini del Pincio, in the charming Rione Porta Picena.
Handmade gnocchi, the stars of the festival
The heart of the event is the handmade gnocchi, prepared according to recipes passed down through generations by the cooks and volunteers of the district. They are served in various versions, with toppings ranging from traditional peasant sauces to richer options, and accompanied by typical local dishes, local wines, and homemade desserts. The food stalls open in the late afternoon and continue throughout the evening, in an atmosphere of popular celebration and great conviviality.
Music, dialect theater, and entertainment
In addition to good food, the Festival of Gnocchi offers a program of live shows and music every evening. Over the years, the evenings have hosted dialect comedies from local theater companies, musical impersonation shows, and entertainment for all ages. There are also craft stalls, children's games, and moments dedicated to rediscovering the village traditions, making the festival suitable for families.
San Ginesio, the village of the Sibillini
The festival is also an opportunity to discover San Ginesio, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, with its fourteenth-century walls, the Collegiate Church of the Most Holy Annunciation, and the alleys of the historic center. Visiting the village during the festival means combining the pleasure of food with a stroll through art, history, and panoramas stretching to the Sibillini Mountains.
Useful information
- Where: Giardini del Pincio, Rione Porta Picena, San Ginesio (MC)
- When: two evenings in mid-August, from 6:00 PM
- Admission: free
- Organization: Associazione del Rione Porta Picena, with the patronage of the Municipality of San Ginesio
Gnocchi Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 Festival of Gnocchi will be held on Monday, August 17, and Tuesday, August 18, 2026, at the Giardini del Pincio in San Ginesio (MC), in the Rione Porta Picena, with stalls opening from 6:00 PM and free admission.
For this edition too, the stars will be the handmade gnocchi prepared according to tradition, served with typical dishes, local wines, and homemade desserts. The two evenings will be enlivened by live music and shows, with craft stalls and games for the little ones.
The detailed program of the evenings, with shows and guests, is usually published by the organization in the weeks preceding the festival: it is advisable to consult the official channels of the Municipality of San Ginesio and the Rione Porta Picena for updates.
Highlights Gnocchi Festival 2026
- Handmade gnocchi in multiple variations
- Typical dishes, local wines, and traditional desserts
- Live music and evening shows
- Craft stalls and children's games
- Free admission, from 6:00 PM
Prices Gnocchi Festival 2026
Practical information — Gnocchi Festival
How to get there
By car: San Ginesio can be reached from the SS78 Picena; from the north, take the Tolentino exit from the SS77 highway, then follow signs for Sarnano/Amandola. Parking is available near the historic center.
By train: the nearest stations are Tolentino and Macerata on the Civitanova Marche-Albacina line, with onward travel by bus or car.
By plane: Ancona-Falconara airport, about an hour's drive away.
Practical advice
Food stalls open from 6:00 PM. Free admission. It is advisable to arrive early on the evenings around Ferragosto to find a seat. Accommodation is available in farmhouses and tourist facilities in the village and surrounding areas of the Sibillini Mountains.
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Where does it take place — Gnocchi Festival
Giardini del Pincio (Rione Porta Picena)
Giardini del Pincio, 62026 San Ginesio