Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls
The grand festival of the sweet tortello from Colorno in front of the Royal Palace
About Tortél Dóls
The Tortél Dóls, a treasure of the Bassa Parmense
The Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls is the festival celebrating one of the most characteristic and curious dishes of Emilian gastronomic tradition: the Tortél Dóls, the typical sweet tortello from Colorno and the neighboring towns of the Bassa Parmense (Mezzani, Sissa, Torrile, and Trecasali), in the Province of Parma. It is a surprising first course, with a sweet and sour filling based on fruit mostarda, cooked wine, quince jam, and breadcrumbs, an ancient recipe passed down through generations and jealously guarded by the Confraternita del Tortél Dóls. It is a strictly seasonal product, which can only be enjoyed from the first days of October until early March.
A festival in the heart of Colorno
The event takes place every second weekend of October in Piazza Garibaldi, in the historic center of Colorno, right in front of the splendid Reggia, the ancient ducal residence that was dear to Empress Maria Luigia of Austria. The setting is one that leaves a mark: the majesty of the ducal palace forms the backdrop to a great village festival that attracts thousands of visitors from all over Emilia-Romagna and beyond each year.
The Rezdore Competition, the heart of the event
The most anticipated and iconic moment of the Gran Galà is the Gara delle Rezdore (Rezdore Competition): the rezdore, meaning the housewives who are the custodians of the family culinary knowledge of the towns of Colorno, Mezzani, Sissa, Trecasali, and Torrile, compete by preparing their sweet tortello. A jury of national food and wine experts tastes and awards the best Tortél Dóls of the year. Around the competition, there are cooking shows, demonstrations of hand-rolled pasta dough, and free tastings open to the public.
What to experience during the Gran Galà
- The Confraternita Restaurant with its typical menu: Tortél Dóls, culatello, Bassa cured meats, stuffed pork belly, Parmigiana-style tripe, cotechino, and traditional cakes, accompanied by Lambrusco and local wines.
- The large market with over a hundred exhibitors: gastronomic biodiversity producers, farms, artistic crafts, floriculture, and exhibition of plants, flowers, and ancient fruits.
- Show cooking, pastry and baking workshops, cooking demonstrations with chefs and pasta makers, activities for children.
- The exhibition of vintage agricultural tractors and international and ethnic dance performances.
- Guided tours of the Reggia di Colorno, often combined with tastings of the sweet tortello.
Organized by Bi&Bi Eventi together with the Confraternita del Tortél Dóls, the Gran Galà is today one of the most beloved food and wine festivals of the Emilian autumn and the perfect opportunity to discover a unique dish and the elegance of the ducal court of Colorno.
Tortél Dóls — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, the eighteenth, of the Gran Galà del Tortél Dóls will be held on Saturday, October 10, and Sunday, October 11, 2026, in Piazza Garibaldi in Colorno (PR), in the usual setting of the ducal Reggia.
As tradition dictates, the heart of the event will be the Gara delle Rezdore (Rezdore Competition), with the housewives from the Bassa Parmense towns competing for the best sweet tortello of the year before a jury of experts. Alongside the competition, the Confraternita Restaurant will offer the typical menu, while the gastronomic biodiversity market, show cooking, pastry workshops, exhibition of vintage agricultural tractors, and dance performances will liven up both days.
The detailed program with times, guests, and show cooking for the 2026 edition will be announced by the organization (Bi&Bi Eventi and Confraternita del Tortél Dóls) in the weeks preceding the event on the official website torteldols.com.
Programme Tortél Dóls 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (times, show cooking, guests) will be published by the organization in the weeks preceding the event. The usual structure of the event includes:
- Gara delle Rezdore: competition among the cooks from the towns of Colorno, Mezzani, Sissa, Trecasali, and Torrile, with a jury of food and wine experts and free tasting.
- Confraternita Restaurant: menu dedicated to Tortél Dóls and the flavors of the Bassa Parmense (lunch and dinner hours).
- Show cooking, pastry and baking workshops with chefs and pasta makers.
- Market with over one hundred exhibitors: typical products, gastronomic biodiversity, crafts, floriculture.
- Exhibition of vintage agricultural tractors and international dance performances.
- Guided tours of the Reggia di Colorno with tasting.
Highlights Tortél Dóls 2026
- The traditional Gara delle Rezdore, the highlight of the event.
- The Tortél Dóls, a sweet tortello filled with mostarda and cooked wine, available at the Confraternita Restaurant.
- The market with over 100 exhibitors in front of the Reggia di Colorno.
Prices Tortél Dóls 2026
Practical information — Tortél Dóls
Where
Piazza Garibaldi, in the historic center of Colorno (PR), in front of the Reggia. The event takes place outdoors, with stands, a market, and a restaurant set up in the square and adjacent streets.
How to get there
By car: Colorno can be reached from Parma in about 20-25 minutes via the SS343 Asolana, or from the A1 highway (Parma exit) or the A22 Brennero. By train: Colorno station is served by the Parma-Brescia regional line. Parking is available near the center during the event.
Admission and tastings
Access to the event and the market is generally free; tastings at the Confraternita Restaurant and product purchases are subject to payment according to the edition's menu. For updated prices, consult the official website.
Period
Second weekend of October. Tortél Dóls is a seasonal product available from October to early March.
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Where does it take place — Tortél Dóls
Piazza Garibaldi (davanti alla Reggia di Colorno)
Piazza Garibaldi, 43052 Colorno