Fratta Pasta Festival

A pasta festival in the heart of the Valdichiana

The Fratta Pasta Festival is one of the most beloved early-summer gastronomic events in the municipality of Cortona, in the province of Arezzo. It takes place in Fratta Santa Caterina, a small village nestled in the countryside of the Valdichiana, and attracts hundreds of visitors from neighboring towns and the entire province every year. In 2026, the event reaches its 28th edition, a testament to a well-established tradition rooted in the volunteer efforts of an entire community.

Who organizes it

Every detail of the festival is managed by ASD Fratta Santa Caterina 1970, the local amateur sports association. Proceeds from the event support the village's social and sporting activities: cooks, servers, and volunteers are all locals who serve home-style recipes passed down through generations in Fratta.

Traditional dishes

The true star is the first course, prepared in many variations of Tuscan peasant cuisine. Among the most popular specialties:

• Pici al sugo d'ocio (goose sauce), a classic of the Valdichiana
• Tagliatelle al cinghiale (wild boar) and tagliatelle alla contadina
• Pappardelle alla lepre (hare)
• Cannoncini alla contadina
• Penne all'amatriciana and pasta with rabbit sauce
• Lighter options with fresh tomato and vegetarian dishes

In addition to pasta, the food stand offers appetizers, grilled meat main courses, and pizza to satisfy everyone. You can also download the menu from the association's website, fill it out at home, and hand it directly to the cashiers to speed up service.

Music, dancing, and the briscola tournament

The Pasta Festival is about more than just great food. Every evening is enlivened by live music and traditional ballroom dancing with local orchestras, while the more competitive guests face off in the classic briscola card tournament. The atmosphere is the warm, familiar one of Tuscan village festivals, where people gather outdoors under the lights of the sports field to dine, chat, and dance until late at night.

When and where

The festival is traditionally held on the second and third weekends of June at the Fratta Santa Caterina Sports Field, just outside Cortona. The food stand opens every evening at 7:30 PM. Admission to the event is free, and you pay for what you order. It is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Tuscany, far from the main tourist routes, and to savor the true cuisine of the Valdichiana.