Giareda Festival
The festival of the people of Reggio, between devotion to the Madonna della Ghiara and a market in the historic centre
About Giareda
A festival with over four centuries of history
The Giareda Festival has been the quintessential festival for the people of Reggio for generations, the time when Reggio Emilia comes together around its most cherished tradition. Promoted by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia in collaboration with the Order of Friars Servants of Mary, the event revolves around the Basilica della Ghiara, a jewel of Emilian Mannerism, and is rooted in a popular devotion that has lasted for over four hundred years.
The Miracle of the Ghiara
The origins of the festival are linked to the Blessed Virgin of the Ghiara and the famous miracle of the healing of the deaf-mute Marchino, which occurred at the end of the 16th century (1596) in front of the sacred image. Since then, the city has dedicated days of prayer and celebration to the Madonna della Ghiara every year, in which the religious and popular dimensions merge into a single great city celebration.
The Market and the Five Souls of Giareda
The secular heart of the Festival is the large market that invades Corso Garibaldi and the historic centre. The event is organised around five thematic strands: quality crafts, greenery and horticulture, food and wine, antiques and vintage, and associations. Among the stalls, you can find typical products from Reggio, local excellences, plants and flowers, vintage items, and offerings from local associations, in a route that crosses the city's main thoroughfare.
A Giareda Spread Throughout the Historic Centre
In recent years, the festival has expanded beyond Corso Garibaldi, involving the entire historic centre with a route that touches Piazza della Vittoria, Piazza Gioberti, Palazzo Allende, the cloister of the Ghiara, Piazza Roversi, and Largo degli Alpini. Alongside the market, cultural events multiply: meetings, guided tours of the city's churches, dialect performances, activities for children, and moments dedicated to local traditions.
Reggio Flavours and Traditions
Giareda is also an opportunity to rediscover Emilian cuisine: fresh pasta made in the square, typical products from the province of Reggio Emilia, and local food and wine specialities accompany the festive days. An event that combines taste, identity, and a sense of belonging, in the true Emilian-Romagnolo spirit.
Giareda — edition 2026
The Giareda Festival 2026 takes place in Reggio Emilia from September 5th to 9th, 2026, confirming the official dates published in the public area fair register of the Emilia-Romagna Region. The market extends along Corso Garibaldi with indicative hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, featuring 66 stalls (food and non-food).
The event maintains its structure around the five thematic strands of the festival — quality crafts, greenery and horticulture, food and wine, antiques and vintage, associations — and the devotional events at the Basilica della Ghiara.
The detailed 2026 program, with shows, meetings, guided tours, and religious events day by day, will be announced by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia in the weeks preceding the event.
Programme Giareda 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be published by the Municipality of Reggio Emilia in the weeks leading up to the event, around late August 2026.
Based on previous editions, Giareda organizes its days around:
- Market in Corso Garibaldi and the historic centre (quality crafts, greenery and horticulture, food and wine, antiques and vintage, associations), with indicative hours from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
- Religious events at the Basilica della Ghiara, with the solemn closing celebration and the Flower Altars.
- Widespread cultural events: meetings, guided tours of city churches, dialect performances, and activities for children.
The names of guests and the exact times of individual events will be communicated with the official program.
Highlights Giareda 2026
- Large traditional market in Corso Garibaldi and the historic centre
- Devotion to the Madonna della Ghiara at the Basilica of the same name
- Typical Reggio food and wine and quality crafts
- Widespread cultural events and guided tours
Prices Giareda 2026
Practical information — Giareda
Where
Corso Garibaldi and the historic centre of Reggio Emilia (Province of Reggio Emilia, Emilia-Romagna): Piazza della Vittoria, Piazza Gioberti, Palazzo Allende, the cloister of the Ghiara, Piazza Roversi, Largo degli Alpini, Via Ariosto.
How to get there
By train: Reggio Emilia station is a short walk from the historic centre. By car: take the Reggio Emilia exit from the A1 motorway; it is advisable to use the car parks outside the centre, given the closure of the streets involved in the festival to traffic.
Admission
Access to the market and the events throughout the historic centre is free.
When
It takes place every year at the beginning of September, with the market typically open from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM.
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 — Giareda
Corso Garibaldi e centro storico
Corso Garibaldi, 42121 Reggio nell'Emilia