Grape Festival of Castenaso
The great autumn harvest festival in the heart of Castenaso
Edition 2026 not confirmed to date
This edition has not been confirmed by the organiser to date. We recommend checking before going.
About Grape Festival
The festival that tells the story of the Bolognese harvest
The Grape Festival of Castenaso is one of the most deeply rooted autumn events in the plain east of Bologna. Its origins date back to the "Grape Day" of 1954: since then, the event has grown to become the identity festival of the Municipality of Castenaso, in the Province of Bologna, Emilia-Romagna. The common thread remains the same: grapes and the harvest, symbols of the season and the deep connection between the community and the territory's winemaking tradition.
Two weekends of events in the town center
The festival is not a one-day affair: the program is spread over two consecutive weekends, usually around the third Sunday of September. The squares and streets of Castenaso's center transform into a large, spread-out space, with stages for live music, areas for children, markets, exhibitions, and stalls where grapes are sold and tasted in all their forms.
Gastronomy, music, and tradition
The heart of the festival is the great food and wine offering curated by the Pro Loco and local associations: crescentine, typical Emilian cuisine, themed taverns, craft beer, and food trucks coexist with tastings of local Bolognese wines. Alongside food, the calendar alternates concerts, DJ sets, family shows, parades, re-enactments, and folk events like the famous Palio delle Frazioni (Hamlets' Race) and grape stomping, culminating in the traditional fireworks display that closes the event.
A festival for the whole community
The Grape Festival is made possible by the efforts of the Pro Loco, the organizing committee, numerous volunteers, as well as local associations, merchants, and cultural and economic entities of Castenaso. It is a popular festival in the truest sense: it arises from the grassroots, involves the entire town, and is designed to be enjoyed by all ages. Admission is free, with à la carte consumption at the stalls and food establishments.
How to get around
- Event spread throughout the center of Castenaso, on the outskirts of Bologna
- Program spread over two weekends in September
- Food stalls, grape and wine tastings, concerts, and activities for children
- Free admission to the festival
Grape Festival — edition 2026
The 71st edition of the Grape Festival of Castenaso is announced for September 11-20, 2026, over the two mid-month weekends as per tradition. The dates are currently indicated as to be confirmed and await officialization by the Municipality of Castenaso and the Pro Loco.
The detailed program for the 2026 edition has not yet been published. Based on previous editions, the festival is expected to include food stalls by the Pro Loco, tastings of grapes and Bolognese wines, evening concerts and DJ sets, shows and workshops for children, exhibitions, and the traditional folk events in the town center, culminating in the usual closing fireworks display. The complete schedule with artists, times, and locations will be announced on the official channels of the Municipality and the Grape Festival in the weeks preceding the event.
Free admission, with à la carte consumption at the stalls.
Programme Grape Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 71st edition has not yet been published. The dates of September 11-20, 2026, are currently marked as to be confirmed.
Based on previous editions, one can expect: food stalls and grape and wine tastings, evening concerts and DJ sets in the town squares, shows and workshops for children and families, exhibitions, parades, and folk moments, as well as the traditional closing fireworks display. The complete schedule with lineup, times, and locations will be announced by the organizers on the official channels in the weeks preceding the event.
Prices Grape Festival 2026
Practical information — Grape Festival
How to get there
Castenaso is located a few kilometers east of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna. By car, it is accessible via Via San Vitale (SS253) and the Bologna ring road. By train, Castenaso station is served by the Bologna-Portomaggiore suburban line (Metropolitan Railway Service). During the festival, traffic restrictions are expected in the center: it is advisable to follow the signs and designated parking areas.
Admission and dining
Admission to the event is free. Food establishments offer à la carte menus and paid consumption at the Pro Loco stalls, themed taverns, and food trucks.
Information
Municipality of Castenaso – Culture Office, phone +39 051 6059255, email [email protected]. Updates on dates and program on the official Facebook page of the Grape Festival and on the Municipality's website.
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Where does it take place — Grape Festival
Centro di Castenaso