May Fair
The most anticipated event of the year in Sant'Agata Bolognese
About May Fair
The town's festival in the heart of the Bolognese plain
The May Fair is the most important and anticipated event of the year in Sant'Agata Bolognese, a town in the plain in the province of Bologna, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna. Every year, at the end of May, the town's historic center transforms into a large open-air stage where tradition and innovation merge: craftsmanship, agriculture, industry, culture, and entertainment meet in the streets and squares for three days of celebration.
A festival with peasant roots
The Fair has its roots in the agricultural and peasant tradition of the Bolognese Bassa (lowlands). The Sant'Agata agricultural sector finds ample space with the historic Aia Contadina (Peasant Courtyard), the exhibition area for modern and vintage tractors and agricultural machinery, and demonstrations of old crafts. Alongside this rural soul coexists the industrial and productive spirit of the territory, in a municipality now also known for the presence of important manufacturing companies.
What to find at the Fair
- Markets: the Market of Artisans of Manual Skill, the antique market, the Aia Contadina with the exchange and reuse market, and the Corso dei Sapori (Flavors Course) dedicated to food and wine.
- Gastronomy: stands with local typical products and dishes of Emilian cuisine, the Befana Maggi stand with bar and kitchen, and the charity restaurant.
- Shows and music: concerts, artistic performances, and itinerant entertainment for all ages.
- Family and children: funfair, workshops, educational farm with animals, and sports demonstrations.
Organized by the Pro Loco Santagatese with the support of the Municipality of Sant'Agata Bolognese, the May Fair is much more than a local festival: it is the moment when an entire town opens up to visitors to share its identity, its history, and its know-how.
May Fair — edition 2026
The 43rd May Fair enlivened the historic center of Sant'Agata Bolognese from Friday, May 29 to Sunday, May 31, 2026, confirming itself as the most anticipated event of the year. The initiatives began in the preceding days, with the school party and concerts by the Jubilate choir and the Bernstein Wind Ensemble, before reaching their peak over the weekend with markets, an educational farm, a funfair, gastronomy, and evening shows.
The organization was handled, as is tradition, by the Pro Loco Santagatese, with the official opening at Porta Otesia and an inaugural parade accompanied by the "Angiolino Malaguti" Band.
Programme May Fair 2026
Preview — Wednesday, May 27 and Thursday, May 28
- Wednesday 27: "A Burst of Colors" school party in Piazza dei Martiri and concert by the Jubilate choir in the parish church.
- Thursday 28: opening of the funfair rides, comedy show, and concert by the Bernstein Wind Ensemble.
Friday, May 29
- Opening ceremony of the Fair at Porta Otesia with an inaugural parade along the Fair's streets, accompanied by the "Angiolino Malaguti" Band.
- Concert by the band Joe Dibrutto (funk and soul).
Saturday, May 30
- Live show "I Want to Go Back to the 90s".
- Special openings of the Archaeological Environmental Museum.
Sunday, May 31
- Recital by Vito, "Le Storie della Bassa" (Stories of the Lowlands).
- Concert by the municipal band.
- Special openings of the Archaeological Environmental Museum.
Throughout the Fair
- L'Aia Contadina (The Peasant Courtyard) with farm animals, exchange and reuse market.
- Corso dei Sapori (Flavors Course) and Market of Artisans of Manual Skill.
- Antique market and street market.
- Multidisciplinary workshops for children, mini-tennis and martial arts demonstrations, urban trekking walks.
- Gastronomy at the Befana Maggi stand and the "Il Nido del Gufo" (The Owl's Nest) charity restaurant.
Highlights May Fair 2026
Prices May Fair 2026
Practical information — May Fair
How to get there
Sant'Agata Bolognese is located in the plain northwest of Bologna. By car, it can be reached from SP255 and the provincial roads of the Bassa; the nearest highway exit is Modena Nord (A1). By train, the reference station is Crevalcore or San Giovanni in Persiceto, from which to continue with local transport.
Admission
Admission to the Fair is free. The streets and squares of the historic center are freely accessible for the entire duration of the event.
Tips
During the Fair days, the historic center is largely pedestrianized: it is advisable to park in the areas outside the town and proceed on foot. Events and shows are concentrated mainly in the evening hours.
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Where does it take place — May Fair
Centro storico di Sant'Agata Bolognese
Centro storico, 40019 Sant'Agata Bolognese