Pea Festival of Colognola ai Colli
The historic pea festival of Colognola ai Colli, in the heart of Soave
About Pea Festival
The festival of the Veronese pea
The Pea Festival is the historic gastronomic feast of Colognola ai Colli, a municipality in the province of Verona in the hilly area of Soave. Founded in 1957, it is one of the longest-running and best-known festivals in the Veronese territory, dedicated to the product that identifies the town: the biso, the local pea.
The Pisello Verdone Nano De.Co.
The heart of the festival is the Pisello Verdone Nano De.Co. of Colognola ai Colli, a variety protected by Municipal Designation that gives life to the most beloved traditional dishes: risi e bisi (rice and peas), paparele coi bisi (pasta with peas), and other handed-down recipes, promoted by the Association of Pea Cultivators of Colognola together with the Pro Loco and the Municipality.
The flavours of the Soave territory
Alongside the peas, the festival offers the great local wines — Soave DOC and Valpolicella DOC — and extra virgin olive oil from the local hills. The event, hosted in the charming courtyard of Villa Aquadevita, traditionally takes place over two weekends in May, with entertainment for families.
An evolving tradition
The Pea Festival is much more than a gastronomic event: it is an identity-defining appointment for Colognola ai Colli and the entire Soave area. In recent years, however, the Pro Loco system has had to face difficulties related to bureaucracy and organisational sustainability, which have also affected this historic event.
Pea Festival — edition 2026
For 2026, the historic Pea Festival of Colognola ai Colli — which would have celebrated its 68th edition — has been suspended. This is the first time, apart from 2020 marked by the pandemic, that the event has not taken place in its traditional form at Villa Aquadevita. The decision, announced by the Pro Loco, is linked to the health issues of the president and the growing bureaucratic difficulties that have put the Pro Loco system in crisis.
In substitution, during May, some festivals were held in the parish Noi circles of the hamlets of Colognola ai Colli, which kept alive the tradition of pea-based dishes, awaiting a possible return of the festival in subsequent years.
Programme Pea Festival 2026
The historic Pea Festival did not take place in 2026. In substitution, in May, festivals were held in the parish Noi circles of the hamlets of the Municipality (including Stra' in Festa, Monte, San Vittore, and Pieve), with traditional dishes based on Pisello Verdone Nano De.Co.
For updates on the possible resumption of the festival in subsequent years, please refer to the official channels of the Pro Loco of Colognola ai Colli.
Highlights Pea Festival 2026
In the absence of the historic festival, the pea tradition continued in the festivals of the parish Noi circles of the hamlets.
Prices Pea Festival 2026
Practical information — Pea Festival
How to get there
Colognola ai Colli can be reached by car from the SR11 or from the A4 motorway (Soave-San Bonifacio exit). The festival is held in the courtyard of Villa Aquadevita, in via Trieste 24.
When
Traditionally in May, over two weekends.
Information
Pro Loco Colognola ai Colli: [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Pea Festival
Corte di Villa Aquadevita
Via Trieste 24, 37030 Colognola ai Colli