Nero Norcia - National Market Exhibition of the Prized Black Truffle
The great festival of the prized black truffle of the Sibillini Mountains
About Nero Norcia
Nero Norcia, the festival of the prized black truffle
Every year, between late February and early March, Norcia—the heart of the Valnerina, in the province of Perugia—hosts the National Market Exhibition of the Prized Black Truffle, known simply as Nero Norcia. It is one of the most important food and wine events in Umbria and Italy, dedicated to Tuber melanosporum, the prized black truffle that grows in the Sibillini Mountains.
Two weekends of taste in the historic center
The event spans two weekends and transforms Norcia's historic center into a large open-air market, with about 60 exhibition stands distributed among Piazza San Benedetto, Piazza Vittorio Veneto, and the village streets. Alongside the truffle, you'll find Norcia's great local products: traditional cured meats (the art of norcineria originates right here), cheeses, the PGI Castelluccio lentil, legumes, farro, and typical products from all over Italy.
Show cooking, conferences, and culture
The program blends gastronomy and culture: show cooking and tastings with renowned chefs, conferences on truffle cultivation and the region's rebirth after the 2016 earthquake, book presentations, concerts, and theatrical performances. For families, there's an educational farm with donkeys, activities for children, and demonstrations of truffle hunting and extraction with dogs.
A symbol of Norcia's rebirth
Nero Norcia is not just a fair: it is the moment when Norcia and the entire Umbria region come together to tell their story of rebirth after the earthquake. In recent editions, the reopening of the Basilica of Saint Benedict, patron saint of Europe, has made the event even more symbolic, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year.
Nero Norcia — edition 2026
The 62nd edition of Nero Norcia was held over two weekends, from February 20 to 22 and from February 27 to March 1, 2026. The inauguration took place on Friday, February 20, at 4:30 PM at Porta Romana, with the participation of Antonella Sberna, Vice-President of the European Parliament, Mayor Giuliano Boccanera, and the President of the Umbria Region, Stefania Proietti.
Approximately 60 stands enlivened the historic center with prized black truffles and local products. Among the events were show cooking with renowned chefs, conferences on truffle cultivation and post-earthquake reconstruction, and twinning with the towns of Ottobeuren (Germany), Castiglion Fiorentino, and Berchidda.
Programme Nero Norcia 2026
First weekend — February 20-22
- Friday 20 — 9:30 AM-1:30 PM conference on post-earthquake reconstruction; 3:00 PM presentation of the magazine "Nero Norcia"; 4:30 PM inauguration at Porta Romana with Antonella Sberna, opening by the Civic Band of Norcia
- Saturday 21 — stands open, show cooking with Michelin-starred chefs, round table on truffle cultivation, musical performances
- Sunday 22 — watercolor exhibition, pasta cooking show, truffle hunt for the youngest, educational farm
Second weekend — February 27-March 1
- Friday 27-Saturday 28 — conferences on the economic development of the territory, musical performances, tastings of regional cuisine
- Sunday, March 1 — seminar on viticulture, demonstrations of traditional crafts, bread-making show, ceremonial lighting of the torch
Permanent activities: educational workshops for children, craft demonstrations, pony rides, and an artistic installation dedicated to Norcia by sculptor Fabrizio Veneri. Official program: nero-norcia.it.
Highlights Nero Norcia 2026
Prices Nero Norcia 2026
Practical information — Nero Norcia
How to get there
Norcia can be reached by car via the SS685 delle Tre Valli Umbre or the SS320 di Cascia, exiting the SS3 Flaminia at Spoleto. It is not served by rail: the nearest station is Spoleto (about 50 km away). Perugia San Francesco d'Assisi Airport is about 100 km away.
Where and when
The event takes place in the historic center, with its heart in Piazza San Benedetto and Porta Romana, over two weekends between late February and early March.
Admission
Admission to the market exhibition area is free. Some tastings, show cooking events, and other activities may require booking. Updated information on the official website nero-norcia.it.
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Where does it take place — Nero Norcia
Centro storico di Norcia
Centro storico, 06046 Norcia