Merlengo Rice Festival

The 2026 Rice Festival, the fiftieth-anniversary edition, takes place in Merlengo di Ponzano Veneto from August 22 to 31. Ten days in honour of Saint Bartholomew, featuring the concept of a different risotto each evening offered by a different restaurateur, along with grilled dishes, summer plates, beer, and wine. For the fiftieth anniversary, photographic panels retrace the history of the event.

The fiftieth-anniversary edition opens on Friday, August 22, and closes on Sunday, August 31, 2026, in the parish grounds of Merlengo. The structure includes:

• Every evening — a different restaurateur offers their rice-based specialty, accompanied by grilled dishes, summer plates, beer, and wine, under the covered outdoor stand
• Sunday, August 24 (Saint Bartholomew's Day) — community mass at 10 AM, lunch, and a cultural meeting in the church on the figure of Saint Bartholomew, with the contribution of historian Gian Domenico Mazzocato and choral performances
• Throughout the event — photographic panels on the fifty-year history of the festival, music, shows, funfair

Organized by Collaborazione Ponzano, with over a hundred volunteers and twelve restaurateurs involved.

How to get there

Merlengo is a hamlet of Ponzano Veneto, on the outskirts of Treviso. By car from Treviso, head north towards Ponzano; the nearest train station is Treviso Centrale.

When

Ten days at the end of August, around August 24th (Saint Bartholomew's Day). Covered outdoor food stand, open in the evenings. Free admission.