Il Borgo Diventa Osteria

A grand open-air tavern in the heart of the Apennines

Il Borgo Diventa Osteria is the food and wine festival that every year, on the evening of August 14th, brings the historic center of San Sebastiano Curone to life—a small town in the upper Val Curone in the Province of Alessandria, in south-eastern Piedmont. For one night, the cobblestone streets and squares of the medieval village turn into a single, large open-air tavern where you can savor local specialties while strolling among the stone houses.

History of the event

Established in 2013, the festival has become a benchmark for lovers of good food and conviviality since its very first edition. Organized by the Municipality of San Sebastiano Curone in collaboration with the Pro Loco Sanse, it reached its tenth edition in 2025, confirming itself as one of the most anticipated Ferragosto events in the Alessandria Apennines.

Flavors of the region

Along the village streets, street food stalls and excellent producers offer historic San Sebastiano recipes and typical products from the Colli Tortonesi and the Giarolo area:

• Traditional first courses: agnolotti, malfatti, gnocchi, and pasta e fagioli;
• Cooked and raw salami and grilled Salame Nobile del Giarolo;
• Prized seasonal truffles and the rare Montébore cheese, a local Slow Food presidium;
• Colli Tortonesi wines, craft beers, cheeses, honey, jams, and artisanal gelato.

Atmosphere and entertainment

The evening is brought to life by live music and a convivial atmosphere that involves the entire town, blending taste, tradition, and fun. As per tradition, the festival concludes with a fireworks display that illuminates the rooftops and bell towers of the village, offering one of the most evocative moments of the Val Curone Ferragosto.

A village to discover

San Sebastiano Curone is one of the most characteristic historic centers in the Piedmontese Apennines, serving as a gateway to the Curone and Giarolo valleys. Visiting the village during the festival is the perfect opportunity to discover its medieval architecture, porticoes, and the hospitality of a community that considers good food a core part of its identity.