Gaiato Festival
The Ferragosto feast of the Gaiato hamlet, with flavors of the Apennines and tradition
About Gaiato Festival
A Village Festival in the Heart of Frignano
The Gaiato Festival is the summer celebration of the small hamlet of Gaiato, a hillside village in the Municipality of Pavullo nel Frignano, in the province of Modena, in the heart of the Modenese Apennines. Organized by the Parish of Gaiato with the support of the local community, the festival takes place every year around Ferragosto and represents one of the most cherished moments of the summer for the villagers and for the many holidaymakers who frequent this area of Frignano.
Authentic Flavors of the Apennines
The true protagonist of the festival is the food stall, which offers the great classics of Emilian mountain cuisine. Among the most beloved dishes are crescentine (Modenese tigelle), gnocco fritto, borlenghi, and steaming polenta, accompanied by typical local products. There is also the Ferragosto barbecue on the panoramic terraces surrounding the church, while in the evenings, more informal options like street burgers are available. On Sundays, there is also space for traditional tortelloni.
Music, Games, and Conviviality
The evenings are accompanied by live music and DJ sets, for dancing and socializing under the Apennine stars. For the little ones, there are games and entertainment, while enthusiasts can try their hand at the traditional Briscola card game competition, a must at any self-respecting village festival.
Faith and Popular Tradition
Alongside the convivial part, the Gaiato Festival retains its religious dimension as a parish feast: the final day includes the Solemn Holy Mass, animated by the choir, followed by the procession with the statue of the Madonna through the village streets, accompanied by the Bell Ringers of the Modenese Group. It is a moment that intertwines devotion and community identity, preserving a tradition passed down from generation to generation.
A Panoramic Balcony over Cimone
One of Gaiato's distinctive features is its location: the village overlooks the Scoltenna valley and offers sweeping views of Monte Cimone, the highest peak in the northern Apennines. Near the village, you can also find the ancient Gaiato tower, reachable on foot, a testament to an ancient fortified settlement. The festival thus also becomes an opportunity to discover a charming corner of the Pavullo area, amidst nature, panoramas, and mountain hospitality.
Gaiato Festival — edition 2026
The Gaiato Festival 2026 is included in the official summer events program of the Municipality of Pavullo nel Frignano ("Pavullo'26 — Un'estate di continuEmozioni"), with confirmed dates from August 14th to 16th, 2026.
According to the Municipality's information, the festival spans three days with evening opening of the food stall (usually Friday and Sunday from 7:00 PM) and the traditional Ferragosto lunch on Saturday at noon on the panoramic terraces. The usual structure of the festival is also confirmed: typical local products (crescentine, gnocco fritto, borlenghi, polenta), musical performances, and entertainment, in addition to the religious part with the Holy Mass and procession.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition — with the day-by-day schedule, musical guests, and precise times — has not yet been published. It will be released shortly before the event on the channels of the Parish of Gaiato and the Municipality. This page will be updated as soon as it is available.
Programme Gaiato Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, with times, musical evenings, and guests, will be announced in the weeks leading up to the event. Based on the usual structure of the festival, the following are planned:
- Food stall with crescentine, gnocco fritto, borlenghi, polenta, and local products (evening opening, usually from 7:00 PM).
- Ferragosto lunch / barbecue on the panoramic terraces (by reservation).
- Live music and DJ sets, entertainment, and games for children.
- Briscola card game competition and moments of conviviality.
- Solemn Holy Mass with choir and procession with the statue of the Madonna on the final day.
The names of the artists and musical guests for 2026 have not yet been announced.
Highlights Gaiato Festival 2026
The Ferragosto lunch on the panoramic terraces with views of Monte Cimone, the crescentine and borlenghi from the Modenese Apennines, and the solemn procession with the Madonna on the final day of the festival.
Prices Gaiato Festival 2026
Practical information — Gaiato Festival
When
From August 14th to 16th, 2026, in the hamlet of Gaiato. Generally on Fridays and Sundays from 7:00 PM, with the Ferragosto lunch on Saturday at noon.
Where
Gaiato location, Pavullo nel Frignano (MO), at the parish church. Gaiato is located in the Modenese Apennines, a short distance from the center of Pavullo.
How to get there
By car from SS12 dell'Abetone e del Brennero to Pavullo nel Frignano, then following signs for the hamlet of Gaiato. The nearest train station is Modena, from which you can continue by bus or car towards Frignano.
Costs and reservations
Free admission; payment is for consumption at the food stall. For the Ferragosto barbecue and Sunday lunches, reservations are recommended via the festival's contacts.
Contacts
Visit Pavullo Welcome Room — tel. 0536 29964, [email protected]. Updates on the Facebook page "Sagra di Gaiato".
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Gaiato Festival
Chiesa parrocchiale di Gaiato
Località Gaiato, 41026 Pavullo nel Frignano