Olive Oil Festival
The green gold of Garda Trentino: a blend of taste, nature, and sport in Arco
About Olive Oil Festival
The Olive Oil Festival in Arco
The Olive Oil Festival is a food and wine event celebrating the extra virgin olive oil of Garda Trentino—the green gold of a region where olive cultivation represents one of the northernmost limits in Europe. The event is held in Arco, in the municipality of the same name in the province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige), and transforms the historic center into a vibrant cultural hub dedicated entirely to the olive and its oil.
A marriage of sport and gastronomy
The festival was born in 2025 from an idea by the Garda Trentino Trail, the major trail running event that brings thousands of athletes from all over Europe to Arco every May. The organizers' intuition was to link sport with the local culture and gastronomy: while runners traverse the castle of Arco, the olive groves, and the Torre Renghera, the public and enthusiasts can immerse themselves in the world of local oil. The logistics are managed by Assocentro, the association of Arco's commercial businesses.
Tastings, market, and olive grove tours
The heart of the festival is the olive oil market, featuring stands from local producers offering tastings and sales of the best extra virgin oils from the region and Italy. There are also guided tastings—true sensory journeys through excellent oils accompanied by ancient grain bread and carne salada, a typical specialty of Garda Trentino.
- Sensory paths to discover the aromas and flavors of extra virgin olive oil
- Guided tours of the Arco Olive Grove, with walks among the olive trees at the foot of the castle
- "Olio che mi piace!" (The oil I like!) children's workshop, an activity designed to introduce little ones to the world of oil through games, scents, stories, and tastings
- Talks and in-depth sessions on olive culture
Arco and its green gold
Located just a few kilometers from the northern shore of Lake Garda, Arco boasts a mild climate that has enabled olive cultivation for centuries. The historic olive grove surrounding the famous medieval castle is one of the most picturesque in the Alps. The Olive Oil Festival showcases this unique heritage, inviting residents and tourists alike to rediscover a product that is iconic to the town of Arco and the entire Garda Trentino region.
Olive Oil Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The second edition of the Olive Oil Festival in Arco was held from Friday, May 15, to Sunday, May 17, 2026, confirming the formula that combines olive culture, gastronomy, and sport. The venue was once again Piazzale Marchetti, behind the Collegiate Church of Arco.
The program featured local extra virgin olive oil producer stands, sensory paths, experiences within the olive groves, and guided tastings. The "Olio che mi piace!" children's workshop was also confirmed, designed to introduce the youngest visitors to the world of oil through play, scents, and tasting.
The event took place in synergy with the Garda Trentino Trail, whose route crossed the castle of Arco and its olive grove twice, passing by the Torre Renghera, testifying to the increasingly close bond between sport, culture, and the territory.
Programme Olive Oil Festival 2026
May 15-17, 2026 – Piazzale Marchetti, Arco
- Market with extra virgin olive oil producer stands
- Guided tastings of excellent oils
- Sensory paths dedicated to olive oil
- Experiences and tours within the Arco olive groves
- "Olio che mi piace!" children's workshop
Event in synergy with the Garda Trentino Trail, with runners passing by the castle of Arco and the olive grove.
Highlights Olive Oil Festival 2026
- Second edition of the event dedicated to the green gold of Garda Trentino
- Guided tastings of local extra virgin olive oil
- Visits to the historic olive groves at the foot of the castle of Arco
- Sensory workshop for children
- Connection with the Garda Trentino Trail
Prices Olive Oil Festival 2026
Practical information — Olive Oil Festival
How to get there
Arco can be reached by car via the A22 Brenner motorway, taking the Rovereto Sud/Lago di Garda Nord exit, then following the SS240 towards Riva del Garda. The nearest train station is Rovereto (Verona-Brenner line), which is connected by bus. The reference airport is Verona Villafranca.
Where it takes place
The festival is held in the historic center of Arco, in Piazzale Marchetti behind the Collegiate Church of the Assumption. Guided tours depart from Piazza Marchetti towards the olive grove beneath the castle.
Admission and prices
Access to the market is free. Guided tastings require a fee and have limited capacity; booking is recommended. For up-to-date information on schedules and costs, please check the official channels of the Garda Trentino Trail and Assocentro.
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Where does it take place — Olive Oil Festival
Piazzale Marchetti
Piazzale Marchetti, 38062 Arco