Mortadella Please – International Festival of Mortadella
Three days in the World Capital of Mortadella, in Zola Predosa
About Mortadella Please
The World Capital of Mortadella
There are few places in the world that can boast such a delicious title: Zola Predosa, on the outskirts of Bologna, is the World Capital of Mortadella. The historic plants of Alcisa and Felsineo are based here, two names that have made the history of Italy's most beloved pink cured meat. And it is precisely in this municipality in the Province of Bologna, in Emilia-Romagna, that Mortadella Please, the international festival entirely dedicated to the "Pink Queen," takes place every autumn.
A festival in the heart of the town
For three days, the center of Zola Predosa, with its Town Hall square, transforms into a large festive space. The streets come alive with food stalls, aromas, music, and people arriving from all over the region and beyond. Mortadella Please is not just a simple village fair: it is an event that combines Emilian peasant tradition with the desire to tell a story about an iconic product in a modern and fun way.
What to eat
The absolute star is, of course, mortadella, offered in a thousand ways: from the most classic recipes to creative interpretations by chefs. The festival's restaurant is managed by teachers and students from the hotel management institute IPSAR "Veronelli", while the food stalls are run by local Pro Loco associations and volunteers, with options for everyone, including gluten-free. There is also a space dedicated to typical DOP and IGP products from the area, from the wines of the Colli Bolognesi to Emilian excellences.
Shows, culture, and families
Alongside the food, the program includes shows, concerts, cultural insights, and the MortadelLand area designed for children, with games, workshops, and activities. Among the most anticipated events are the historic hand-cutting competition of mortadella and the literary competition dedicated to the "Pink Queen." It is a deeply popular and family-friendly event that tells the identity of a territory through one of its most recognizable symbols.
Inside the mortadella companies
One of the most captivating aspects of the festival is the opportunity to enter the gates of the plants that have made Zola Predosa famous: on Sunday mornings, free guided tours of the Alcisa and Felsineo plants are offered, also accessible thanks to a free shuttle service. A rare chance to discover how Bologna mortadella is truly made, from the general public to the heart of production.
Mortadella Please — edition 2026
Mortadella Please 2026
The 18th edition of the international mortadella festival returns to Zola Predosa from Friday, October 9th to Sunday, October 11th, 2026, in the town square and center. Three days of celebration around the "Pink Queen," with tastings, shows, moments of insight, and plenty of themed entertainment for the whole family.
The program includes original and traditional mortadella-based recipes served at the festival restaurant and at food stalls managed by local organizations, a space dedicated to typical DOP and IGP products, the MortadelLand area for children with games and workshops, and the literary competition "Once upon a time there was... a Pink Queen." On Sunday, October 11th, from 9 AM to 12 PM, free visits to the Alcisa and Felsineo plants are scheduled, also accessible via the free "Mortadella bus" shuttle service.
Programme Mortadella Please 2026
Hours
- Friday, October 9th — from 6:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Saturday, October 10th — from 5:00 PM to 12:00 AM
- Sunday, October 11th — from 9:00 AM to 10:00 PM
Gastronomy
- Festival restaurant curated by teachers and students of IPSAR "Veronelli"
- Food stalls managed by local Pro Loco associations and volunteers, with a gluten-free option
- Space dedicated to typical DOP and IGP products and wines from the Colli Bolognesi
Activities and shows
- Tastings of traditional and original mortadella-based recipes
- Shows, concerts, and insight sessions
- Children's area MortadelLand with games and workshops
- Literary competition "Once upon a time there was... a Pink Queen"
Plant tours
- Sunday, October 11th, 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM — free tours of Alcisa and Felsineo plants, with free "Mortadella bus" shuttle service
The complete program, with daily events and detailed times, will be published on the official website www.mortadellaplease.eu in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Mortadella Please 2026
Prices Mortadella Please 2026
Practical information — Mortadella Please
How to get there
Zola Predosa is located a few kilometers from Bologna, along the Via Bazzanese. By car, it is easily accessible from the Bologna ring road; parking is available near the town center. By train, the relevant stop is Zola Municipio on the suburban line, a short walk from the event area.
Admission and services
Admission to the festival is free; tastings and dishes offered at the stalls are subject to payment according to the prices of individual offerings. During the event, the "Mortadella bus," a free shuttle service, is available, especially useful for reaching the plant tours on Sunday mornings.
Tips
For the detailed program and updated times, it is advisable to consult the official website www.mortadellaplease.eu. Visits to the Alcisa and Felsineo plants may require booking: check the procedures before the event.
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Where does it take place — Mortadella Please
Centro di Zola Predosa
Piazza del Municipio, 40069 Zola Predosa