Maccheroni Festival of Ponticelli
The gastronomic tradition of Carnival in Ponticelli di Imola
About Maccheroni Festival
An Over-a-Century-Old Carnival Tradition in Imola
The Maccheroni Festival of Ponticelli is one of the most cherished events of Carnival in the Imola area. It takes place in the square of Ponticelli, a hamlet of the Municipality of Imola located about six kilometers from the center towards Florence, in the province of Bologna, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. The event dates back to the early years of the last century and is entirely self-funded and managed by the local inhabitants, organized into a dedicated committee: a rare example of a village festival passed down through generations.
Maccheroni with Ragù, the Absolute Stars
The dish around which the entire day revolves is maccheroni with ragù, prepared with the typical sedanini and gobbetti pasta shapes. The numbers tell the story of the festival's scale: about nine quintals of pasta, a large wheel of Parmesan, and seven large pots of ragù made with three quintals of quality meat, according to a historic recipe cherished by the village. The pasta is strictly distributed for takeaway, in line with a popular tradition that turns the square into one large, spread-out communal table.
A Day of Celebration for the Entire Community
In addition to the distribution of maccheroni, the festival enlivens Ponticelli with music, entertainment, and numerous side activities:
- Musical performance in the square with the Orchestra Germano Guidastri;
- Exhibition of vintage vehicles with the historic "Macchescooterata" in the parking lot opposite the square;
- Kids' area with inflatables, street games, and the "gioco del tappo" (cork game);
- Children's readings in the library;
- Market and sale of ceramic souvenir plates.
Carnival in Ponticelli
In Ponticelli, it's said that "it's not Carnival without maccheroni": the festival coincides with the Carnival period and represents the moment when the entire community gathers in the square. The event takes place in spaces accessible to people with disabilities and is a perfect opportunity to discover authentic home-style Romagna cuisine and the hospitality of this corner of Emilia-Romagna.
Maccheroni Festival — edition 2026
The Maccheroni Festival of Ponticelli 2026 was held on Sunday, February 22, in the square of the Imola hamlet. The day began at 10 AM with the exhibition of vintage vehicles from the 14th "Macchescooterata" in the parking lot opposite the square. At 11:30 AM, the first distribution of maccheroni was dedicated to villagers (takeaway only), followed at noon by the "Invitation to the Table" in the multi-purpose hall, organized by the schools with maccheroni and wine. At 2:30 PM, the distribution opened to everyone, while the square came alive with the performance of the Orchestra Germano Guidastri, the kids' area with inflatables and games, and readings in the library for the little ones. The edition exceeded all attendance expectations.
Programme Maccheroni Festival 2026
- 10:00 AM — Exhibition of vintage vehicles, 14th "Macchescooterata" (parking lot opposite the square); opening of the kids' area with inflatables and street games
- 11:30 AM — Maccheroni distribution to villagers (takeaway only)
- 12:00 PM — "Invitation to the Table" in the multi-purpose hall: maccheroni and wine (organized by schools)
- 2:30 PM — Maccheroni distribution to everyone (takeaway only); children's readings for ages 3-6 in the library
- Afternoon — Performance in the square with the Orchestra Germano Guidastri
Highlights Maccheroni Festival 2026
- Nine quintals of pasta and seven large pots of ragù prepared according to the historic recipe
- 14th "Macchescooterata" with vintage vehicles
- Concert by the Orchestra Germano Guidastri
- Kids' area and library readings
Prices Maccheroni Festival 2026
Practical information — Maccheroni Festival
How to Get There
Ponticelli is a hamlet of Imola, reachable by car about 6 km from the city center towards Florence. By train, the reference station is Imola, on the Bologna-Rimini line, from which you can continue by car or local transport. The A14 motorway (Imola exit) is the most convenient route for those arriving from outside the region.
Times and Distribution
Maccheroni distribution is exclusively for takeaway: in the morning it is dedicated to villagers, while in the afternoon it is open to everyone. It is advisable to bring a container for takeaway.
Information
Organizing committee tel. +39 0542 681921. Updates on the Facebook page "Sagra dei Maccheroni di Ponticelli". Free event; areas accessible to people with disabilities.
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Where does it take place — Maccheroni Festival
Piazza di Ponticelli
Piazza di Ponticelli, 40026 Imola