Löwenzahnwochen / Dandelion Weeks

The Dandelion Weeks in the Upper Val di Non

The Löwenzahnwochen (Dandelion Weeks) are one of the oldest food and wine festivals in South Tyrol. Every year, when the meadows of the Deutschnonsberg — the Upper Val di Non, on the South Tyrolean side of the province of Bolzano — transform into a sea of yellow flowers at the start of spring, local restaurants invite guests and curious foodies to discover the dandelion (Löwenzahn, taraxacum) from a culinary perspective.

An event rooted in nature

The festival was founded in 1996 by herb and health experts, including the famous "herb priest" Hermann Josef Weidinger, who were convinced of the purifying and beneficial properties of this plant. The dandelion grows here at high altitudes, where it is particularly rich in valuable nutrients. Since then, the event has become part of the identity of this German-speaking plateau, successfully bridging tourism, agriculture, and the local community.

The participating villages

The weeks involve the four villages of the Deutschnonsberg, all located in the Upper Val di Non in the Trentino-Alto Adige region:

• Lauregno/Laurein, home to the organizing tourist association;
• Proves/Proveis;
• Senale/Unsere Liebe Frau im Walde;
• San Felice/St. Felix.

On the menu

Local chefs reinterpret the dandelion with imagination: dandelion soups, whole-grain risottos with dandelion and fresh cheese, tender leaf salads, dandelion flower honey, and desserts such as caramelized poppy seed cake with dandelion honey and apple. An unusual and healthy way to experience the mountain cuisine of South Tyrol.

More than just food

A rich program of side events revolves around the themed menus: guided tours of farms specializing in aromatic herbs, excursions to discover wild plants, special dinners (such as those organized in the Palade Tunnel bunker), and farmers' markets. In 2026, the Löwenzahnwochen reach the 30-year milestone with a program that weaves together culinary art, herbal knowledge, and nature experiences.