Bastürnon Festival
The autumn chestnut roast of Tuna di Gazzola, in Val Trebbia
About Bastürnon Festival
A Chestnut Festival Lasting Half a Century
The Festa del Bastürnon is one of the most beloved autumn events in the Piacenza area. It takes place in Tuna, a small hamlet in the Municipality of Gazzola, in the Province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna), overlooking the lower Val Trebbia, a few kilometres from the river. Founded in the 1970s to celebrate the chestnut harvest, the festival has grown edition after edition to become a classic in Gazzola's calendar, so much so that in 2026 it will celebrate its first 50 years of activity.
The Bastürnon and Mountain Chestnuts
The dialect name Bastürnon recalls the rural world and the tradition of the chestnut festival: the absolute stars are the mountain chestnuts, roasted on the spot and served steaming hot as caldarroste (roasted chestnuts). It is the delicious heart of an event that retains the spirit of a village festival, made of genuine products, volunteer work, and conviviality.
The Food Stand
The heart of the festival is the food stand managed by volunteers, where you can taste dishes from Piacenza's cuisine: tortelli, Piacenza cured meats, bread, homemade cakes, and of course, the unmissable roasted chestnuts, all accompanied by local wines. A simple and hearty table that tells the gastronomic identity of this corner of Emilia-Romagna.
Music, Games, and Tradition
In addition to food, the Festa del Bastürnon offers dancing evenings with a ballroom orchestra, popular games, the traditional greasy pole, games for children, and a charity stall. On Sunday afternoons, the hamlet's courtyard comes alive with family entertainment. In case of bad weather, the dance floor and the festival area are covered, so the festival can take place in any weather.
A Community Festival
Organised by the Pro Loco of Tuna with the support of the local community, the Festa del Bastürnon is much more than a festival: it is the moment when the small hamlet of Gazzola comes together and opens its doors to outsiders, offering an authentic day of autumn flavours, music, and Val Trebbia traditions.
Bastürnon Festival — edition 2026
The Festa del Bastürnon 2026 will take place in Tuna di Gazzola (PC) from October 2 to 4 and celebrates the festival's first 50 years of activity. The event has been confirmed among the historic events in the Municipality of Gazzola's 2026 calendar, organised as every year by the Pro Loco of Tuna.
As tradition dictates, the edition will feature a food stand with Piacenza cuisine and roasted chestnuts, dancing evenings with an orchestra, the greasy pole, and popular games. In case of bad weather, the festival area and dance floor are covered.
The detailed program, with times and daily events, is usually released by the Pro Loco of Tuna in the weeks preceding the event.
Programme Bastürnon Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, celebrating the festival's 50th anniversary, will be announced by the Pro Loco of Tuna in the weeks preceding the event.
Based on previous editions, the festival traditionally spans three days with:
- Food stand with roasted chestnuts, tortelli, Piacenza cured meats, bread, homemade cakes, and local wines;
- Dancing evenings with a ballroom orchestra;
- Sunday afternoon: popular games, children's games, charity stall, and the traditional greasy pole.
Highlights Bastürnon Festival 2026
Prices Bastürnon Festival 2026
Practical information — Bastürnon Festival
Where
Hamlet of Tuna, Municipality of Gazzola (PC), Emilia-Romagna. Tuna is located in the lower Val Trebbia, about 3 km from the municipal capital, near the bridge over the Trebbia river.
How to get there
By car: from Piacenza, reach Gazzola and the hamlet of Tuna in about 20-25 minutes, following signs for Val Trebbia. Parking is available near the festival area.
When
First weekend of October. The 2026 edition is scheduled from Friday 2 to Sunday 4 October.
Costs
Free admission. You only pay for what you consume at the food stand (dishes and roasted chestnuts at popular prices).
Tip
Sunday afternoon is the liveliest time, with popular games and the greasy pole. Wear something warm: in early October, in the hills, evenings can be cool.
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Where does it take place — Bastürnon Festival
Tuna