Marradi Chestnut and Marron Buono Festival

The most famous chestnut festival in Tuscany

For over sixty years, every Sunday in October, the village of Marradi, nestled in the Tuscan-Romagna Apennines in the upper Mugello area, in the Province of Florence (Tuscany), dresses up to celebrate its signature fruit: the chestnut. The Marradi Chestnut and Marron Buono Festival is one of the longest-running and most popular autumn food and wine events in the region, attracting thousands of visitors each Sunday.

The PGI Marron Buono of Mugello

The absolute star is the Marron Buono of Mugello, a chestnut variety protected by the PGI label, prized for its generous size, sweetness, and ease of peeling. Grown in the ancient chestnut groves that cover the slopes around Marradi, it is the raw material for a gastronomic tradition that the festival showcases through the Marron Buono Market Exhibition.

Flavors and specialties

Throughout the historic center, you can taste the essential bruciate (roasted chestnuts), chestnut tortelli, castagnaccio, traditional peasant cakes and pastries, as well as the refined marrons glacés for which Marradi is famous throughout Italy.

The themed areas

• Court of Flavors — the gastronomic heart of the festival, with stands featuring chestnut-based specialties;
• Artisan Woods — a space dedicated to local artisans and typical products;
• Artists' Alley — an open-air gallery with roaming music and artistic performances;
• Taste Funfair — a play and entertainment area designed for families and children.

The historic steam train

A unique charm is provided by the historic train that travels along the scenic Faentina railway line, reaching Marradi through the Apennine woods: vintage "Centoporte" carriages from the 1930s and, on certain days, a steam locomotive turn the journey into a nostalgic and romantic experience, an integral part of the festival's tradition.

An event that tells the story of the land

Organized by the Pro Loco Marradi, the festival is not just a celebration of taste but an opportunity to discover the town of Marradi and the entire Mugello area: between markets, street performances, music, excursions in the chestnut groves, and live cooking demonstrations by local chefs, the Marradi autumn becomes a journey into the culture and folk traditions of this corner of Tuscany.