Polenta and Wild Boar Festival
Two weekends of authentic flavors in Paterno, featuring stone-ground polenta and Tuscan wild boar
About Polenta and Wild Boar Festival
A local festival in the heart of the Lower Valdarno
The Polenta and Wild Boar Festival is one of the most beloved gastronomic events of late summer in Castelfranco di Sotto, a town in the province of Pisa overlooking the Lower Valdarno in Tuscany. The event takes place in the village of Paterno, at the Contrada San Bartolomeo grounds on Via Fratelli Rosselli, spanning two consecutive weekends in September and transforming a quiet corner of the Pisan countryside into a lively communal gathering.
"A palle" polenta and wild boar: the absolute stars
The signature dish is the "a palle" polenta, made from stone-ground cornmeal and served in generous portions with classic wild boar ragù, or with sausage and mushrooms, leeks and bacon, or simply with oil and cheese. Alongside the polenta, the Contrada's kitchen offers fried polenta, the more modern polenta concia, Tuscan appetizers with cured meats and crostini, wild boar stew, mixed grills, roasts, and tripe. There is something for everyone, including gluten-free and children's menus.
Atmosphere, music, and conviviality
The festival is about more than just food: every evening features live music and dancing, enlivening the Contrada grounds until late and creating that cheerful, family-friendly atmosphere typical of Tuscan festivals. It is the perfect opportunity to experience village life, support the volunteers of the Contrada San Bartolomeo, and savor recipes passed down through generations.
A well-established tradition
Reaching its sixteenth edition in 2025, the Polenta and Wild Boar Festival is now a staple of the Castelfranco di Sotto summer calendar. Its genuine cuisine, affordable prices, and the warm welcome of the volunteers make it an ideal destination for families and food lovers in search of the true flavors of the Tuscan hinterland.
Polenta and Wild Boar Festival — edition 2026
The Polenta and Wild Boar Festival confirms its two-weekend format for September 2026, on the 20th-21st and the 27th-28th, at the Contrada San Bartolomeo grounds in Paterno. These dates are part of the official summer calendar of Castelfranco di Sotto.
As per tradition, the Contrada's kitchen will offer "a palle" polenta with wild boar ragù, sausage and mushrooms, leeks and bacon, as well as fried polenta, polenta concia, wild boar stew, grilled meats, roasts, and tripe, with gluten-free and children's menus available. Evenings will be accompanied by music and dancing.
The detailed program of the evenings and final hours will be announced by the Contrada San Bartolomeo in the weeks leading up to the event on their official channels. For information and reservations: +39 327 2304370.
Programme Polenta and Wild Boar Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition (musical evenings and guests) will be published by the Contrada San Bartolomeo in the weeks preceding the event. Typical structure of the festival:
- Saturday — Dinner from 7:30 PM (takeaway from 7:00 PM), followed by music and dancing.
- Sunday — Lunch from 12:00 PM (takeaway from 11:30 AM) and dinner from 7:30 PM (takeaway from 7:00 PM).
Menu based on "a palle" polenta with wild boar ragù and traditional meat specialties; gluten-free and children's menus are available.
Highlights Polenta and Wild Boar Festival 2026
- "A palle" stone-ground polenta with wild boar ragù, the festival's signature dish.
- Traditional wild boar specialties and grilled meats.
- Musical and dance evenings during both weekends.
- Gluten-free and children's menus available.
Prices Polenta and Wild Boar Festival 2026
Practical information — Polenta and Wild Boar Festival
Location
Contrada San Bartolomeo in Paterno, Via Fratelli Rosselli 6, 56022 Castelfranco di Sotto (PI).
Hours
Dinner from 7:30 PM (takeaway from 7:00 PM) on Saturdays and Sundays; lunch service is also available on Sundays from 12:00 PM (takeaway from 11:30 AM).
How to get there
By car: Take the Santa Croce sull'Arno or San Miniato exit from the FI-PI-LI highway, then follow signs for Castelfranco di Sotto and Paterno. By train: San Miniato-Fucecchio or Santa Croce-Castelfranco station, on the Florence-Pisa line.
Menu and reservations
Gluten-free and children's menus are available. For information and reservations: +39 327 2304370. Takeaway service is available.
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Where does it take place — Polenta and Wild Boar Festival
Contrada San Bartolomeo a Paterno
Via Fratelli Rosselli 6, Paterno, 56022 Castelfranco di Sotto