Mezzomonte Spring Gnocchi Festival

A spring tradition on the Alpe Cimbra

The Mezzomonte Spring Gnocchi Festival, also known as the Spring Gnoccolada, is one of the most beloved gastronomic events on the Alpe Cimbra's spring calendar. The festival takes place in Mezzomonte, a small hamlet in the municipality of Folgaria, in the province of Trento. Every year, it offers the perfect opportunity to gather outdoors after the winter, surrounded by the aromas of local village cooking and the festive atmosphere that only a true traditional festival can provide.

Who organizes the event

The event is organized by the Pro Loco of Mezzomonte, which mobilizes around a hundred volunteers each year: from chefs to table service, and from cleaning crews to traffic management, supported by a large group of local youth. It is this community spirit that makes the day so special in this small corner of Trentino-Alto Adige, where the Pro Loco serves as the heart of social life.

What to eat

The star of the show is, of course, the gnocchi with meat sauce: over 700 kilograms are prepared on-site by the chef and the Pro Loco team, served starting from 11:00 AM until they run out. They are accompanied by local traditional specialties:

• Stromboi and fortaie, the area's typical fried pastries;
• Sandwiches and fries prepared fresh;
• Wine, beer, and soft drinks to pair with your meal.

Music and atmosphere

Live music enlivens the day, helping to create the festive and engaging atmosphere typical of mountain village festivals. The Mezzomonte sports field transforms into a large space for conviviality, where families, hikers, and groups of friends spend their Sunday enjoying a plate of gnocchi and good conversation, set against the backdrop of the Alpe Cimbra's woods and mountains.

A festival that draws from all over Trentino

Despite the small size of the village, the Gnoccolada attracts hundreds of people from across the Trentino region every year; in the most successful editions, thanks to good weather, attendance has reached nearly a thousand visitors. It is a success with deep roots that, after a few years of hiatus, has been renewed with enthusiasm thanks to the passion of the volunteers.

A donation-based event

One of the most appreciated aspects of the festival is its popular and accessible nature: the gnocchi are served free of charge until supplies run out, with the option to leave a voluntary donation to support the organization and the activities of the Pro Loco. In case of bad weather or temperatures that are too cold, the event is postponed to the next available Sunday with good weather.