Monferrato Cuisine Festival
The great Monferrato food and wine celebration in Moncalvo
About Monferrato Cuisine
A festival that tells the story of Monferrato through its food
The Monferrato Cuisine Festival is one of the most beloved food and wine events in the town of Moncalvo, in the Province of Asti, located in the heart of the Piedmontese Monferrato. Established in the 1980s, the festival reaches its 41st edition in 2026, drawing thousands of visitors to the small hilltop village each year, all eager to discover the authentic cuisine of these lands, which are recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site for their vineyard landscapes.
The Pro Loco associations take center stage
The heart of the event lies in the Monferrato Pro Loco, a group of about fifteen associations that gather in the historic center to set up their stalls. Each brings its own village specialties to the table, creating a culinary journey that winds through Piazza Carlo Alberto, Piazza Garibaldi, and the surrounding streets. It is a way to celebrate the gastronomic identity of the local farming communities, who are the guardians of recipes passed down through generations.
Traditional dishes
Monferrato cuisine is rich and generous. Specialties you can taste include:
- Moncalvo mixed boiled meats (bollito misto), the town's signature dish, also celebrated by the historic Fat Ox Fair
- Agnolotti and tajarin, the fresh pastas of Piedmont
- Vitello tonnato, a classic traditional appetizer
- Friciulin, farinata, and fried dough (gnocco fritto)
- Traditional peasant desserts
Each course is paired with great Monferrato wines, from Barbera d'Asti to sparkling varieties, expressing the character of the hills surrounding Moncalvo.
More than just food
Beyond the food stalls, the festival offers live music, evening concerts, agricultural markets, and cultural tours of the historic center, churches, and museums of Moncalvo, which is considered the smallest city in Italy. It is a formula that combines taste, tradition, and exploration, perfect for an early summer weekend in Monferrato.
Monferrato Cuisine — edition 2026
41st edition — June 20 and 21, 2026
The Monferrato Cuisine Festival returns to Moncalvo for its 41st edition on the weekend of June 20 and 21, 2026. The historic center hosts the stalls of about fifteen Monferrato Pro Loco associations, each showcasing the specialties of their own village: Moncalvo mixed boiled meats, agnolotti, tajarin, vitello tonnato, friciulin, and the great wines of the Asti hills.
Food stalls open Saturday from 6:30 PM and Sunday from 11:45 AM until 10:30 PM. The program also includes evening concerts, agricultural markets, and guided tours of the historic center. Admission is free.
Programme Monferrato Cuisine 2026
The detailed 2026 program (evening concerts, entertainment, and guided tours) will be announced shortly by the Pro Loco and the Municipality of Moncalvo. Below is the confirmed structure of the event:
Saturday, June 20
- From 6:30 PM — Opening of the Pro Loco food stalls in Piazza Carlo Alberto and the center
- In the evening — Concert and live music
Sunday, June 21
- From 11:45 AM to 10:30 PM — Food stalls open for lunch and dinner
- Market of agricultural and local products
- Cultural tours of the historic center, churches, and museums of Moncalvo
Highlights Monferrato Cuisine 2026
- About fifteen Monferrato Pro Loco associations gathered in Moncalvo
- The famous Moncalvo mixed boiled meats and fresh Piedmontese pastas
- Wines of the Monferrato, a UNESCO World Heritage territory
- Evening concerts and cultural tours in the historic center
Prices Monferrato Cuisine 2026
Practical information — Monferrato Cuisine
When
Saturday, June 20 and Sunday, June 21, 2026. Food stalls open Saturday from 6:30 PM, and Sunday from 11:45 AM to 10:30 PM.
Where
Historic center of Moncalvo (AT), between Piazza Carlo Alberto and Piazza Garibaldi.
Admission
Free entry; dishes and wines are paid for à la carte at the individual Pro Loco stalls.
How to get there
By car from Asti (approx. 20 km) or Casale Monferrato. The nearest train station is Asti, which is connected to Turin and Alessandria.
Contacts
Pro Loco Moncalvo — [email protected]. Updated information is available on the Moncalvo municipal website.
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Where does it take place — Monferrato Cuisine
Centro storico di Moncalvo
Piazza Carlo Alberto, 14036 Moncalvo