'La Stesa' Pasta Festival
Traditional handmade pasta from Villa Degna in Penne
About 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival
The 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival in Villa Degna
In the heart of the rolling Abruzzo hills, in Villa Degna, a small hamlet within the municipality of Penne (Pescara), the 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival takes place every year in early May. Now in its fifth edition, the event was born from the initiative of the local community and has quickly become a true gastronomic landmark for the entire Penne area.
The ancient 'stesa' technique
The heart of the festival is handmade pasta prepared according to the ancient 'stesa' technique: a method passed down through generations by the families of Villa Degna, who masterfully roll out the dough to create the traditional sheet. This labor-intensive process, which is becoming increasingly rare, represents an authentic symbol of Abruzzese cuisine and rural craftsmanship, showcased to visitors at the village food stalls.
Faith, tradition, and community
The festival is held in conjunction with the religious celebrations in honor of Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Anthony of Padua, patron saints deeply revered by the Villa Degna community. Alongside the food stalls, the program features liturgical services, a solemn procession accompanied by a marching band, traditional fireworks, and evenings of music and entertainment. It is a weekend where popular devotion, conviviality, and gastronomy merge into a unique village celebration.
An event to experience
The 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival is the perfect opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Abruzzo, far from the typical tourist circuits. Penne, listed among the most beautiful villages in Italy, also offers a medieval historic center built in brick and terracotta that is well worth the trip. Those arriving in Villa Degna during these days will find the warm hospitality of a community opening the doors to its culinary traditions.
- Where: Villa Degna, hamlet of Penne (PE), Abruzzo
- When: Early May
- Specialty: Handmade pasta using the 'stesa' technique
- Context: Celebrations for Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Anthony of Padua
'La Stesa' Pasta Festival — edition 2026
The fifth edition of the 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival was held in Villa Degna, a hamlet of Penne (PE), from Friday, May 1st to Sunday, May 3rd, 2026. The event combined culinary tradition with religious celebrations in honor of Saint Vincent Ferrer and Saint Anthony of Padua.
The food stalls opened on Friday and Saturday from 7:00 PM and on Sunday from the morning, offering pasta prepared by hand using the ancient 'stesa' technique. The religious program included Holy Masses over the three days, with the highlight on Sunday: Mass at 10:30 AM, a solemn procession at 11:30 AM accompanied by the 'Città di Picciano' marching band, fireworks at noon, and a closing celebration in the late afternoon.
Programme 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival 2026
Highlights 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival 2026
Prices 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival 2026
Practical information — 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival
Getting there
Villa Degna is a hamlet of Penne, in the province of Pescara. By car, it can be reached from the Pescara-Villanova or Città Sant'Angelo exits on the A14 motorway, continuing inland along the provincial roads connecting to Penne. A local bus service connects Penne to the hamlets of Villa Degna, Conaprato, Collalto, and San Pellegrino.
Admission and tastings
Access to the festival and celebrations is free; food and tastings at the stalls are paid for on-site according to the event's price list.
Tips
We recommend combining your visit to the festival with a walk through the historic center of Penne, one of the most beautiful villages in Italy, and a trip to the nearby Lake Penne Nature Reserve.
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Where does it take place — 'La Stesa' Pasta Festival
Villa Degna