Leofara Chestnut Festival

A festival celebrating the Laga chestnut

The Leofara Chestnut Festival is one of the most anticipated autumn events in the Teramo mountains. It takes place in the small hamlet of Leofara, within the municipality of Valle Castellana, nestled on the slopes of the Monti della Laga, inside the Gran Sasso and Monti della Laga National Park. The absolute star of the show is the local chestnut, the Leofara marrone, the result of a long-standing chestnut-growing tradition and a true excellence of these Abruzzo mountains.

A tradition spanning over forty years

Founded in the early 1980s by a group of local youths who recognized the Valle Castellana chestnut as a product worthy of celebration, the festival has grown to become one of the longest-running in the entire province of Teramo. In 2025, the event reached its 44th edition, cementing its status as a landmark for lovers of fine food and mountain traditions. It is organized annually by the Associazione I'Fere, with the patronage of the Municipality of Valle Castellana and the support of the BIM Consortium of Teramo.

Mountain flavors

The heart of the festival lies in its food stalls, where the Leofara chestnut is served in many ways alongside traditional local dishes. Specialties include:

• roasted chestnuts, cooked over an open fire right before your eyes;
• chestnut, chickpea, and mushroom soup;
• polenta and Abruzzo arrosticini (grilled lamb skewers);
• fried cheese, pork stew, and various fried delicacies;
• desserts, jams, and mulled wine.

More than just food

Beyond the culinary delights, the Chestnut Festival offers a rich program of activities. Guided tours of the chestnut groves allow visitors to explore the ancient woods surrounding the village and learn about the chestnut harvest firsthand. There is also entertainment for children, card tournaments like briscola, live music, and DJ sets to liven up the evenings. The event is often paired with excursions in the surrounding area, such as the guided walk to the evocative abandoned village of Laturo.

A village to experience

Set in a stunning natural landscape among chestnut forests and the peaks of the Monti della Laga, the festival is the perfect opportunity to rediscover the hospitality and identity of Valle Castellana, one of the most expansive and wild municipalities in Abruzzo. Admission is free, and free shuttle services and parking are provided to accommodate the many visitors.