Policiano Pappardella Festival
The summer celebration in the Arezzo area featuring duck-sauce pappardelle, dancing, and tradition
About Pappardella Festival
A Tuscan festival in the heart of the Valdichiana
The Policiano Pappardella Festival is one of the most cherished gastronomic events of the Arezzo summer. It takes place in Policiano, a hamlet in the municipality of Arezzo, at the gateway to the Valdichiana, and is organized by the U.P. Policiano Arezzo Atletica, the local sports club that has kept this village tradition alive for years. After a few seasons of hiatus, the festival has returned with renewed enthusiasm to bring together residents, families, and visitors from the surrounding areas.
The star dish: pappardelle with duck ragù
The absolute star is the homemade pappardella, served in the two versions that have made the festival famous: with duck ragù (the typical Tuscan-style duck sauce) and with mushrooms. Alongside the main course, the sports club's food stalls offer the flavors of Arezzo cuisine, from grilled meats to desserts, in a familiar and welcoming atmosphere. It is authentic cooking, prepared by volunteers, that tells the story of the rural identity of this corner of Tuscany better than any words.
Music, dancing, and conviviality
The Pappardella Festival is not just about good food. Every evening, after dinner, the open-air space turns into a dance floor with liscio orchestras and musical groups, dance entertainment, and themed nights. Among the most anticipated events are the 80s and 90s revival nights, dance group performances, and the classic briscola tournament that attracts players from all over the district. The calendar traditionally closes around August 10th, the feast of Saint Lawrence, with a grand finale featuring a big dinner, an orchestra, and a fireworks display.
A village festival to experience
Attending the Pappardella Festival means immersing yourself in the true dimension of Tuscan village festivals: long tables, the scent of sauces, live music, and that informal atmosphere that only local hamlet festivals can offer. It is the ideal opportunity to discover Policiano and the surroundings of Arezzo away from the tourist circuits, enjoying local products at popular prices and breathing in the hospitality of the Tuscany region.
Pappardella Festival — edition 2026
The Policiano Pappardella Festival returns in the summer of 2026 to enliven the Arezzo hamlet. The dates announced by the organizers are July 31, August 1 and 2, and then from August 7 to 10, 2026, at the Polisportiva facilities. Once again this year, the star dish will be the homemade pappardella, served with duck ragù and mushrooms, along with other Tuscan culinary specialties offered at the stalls.
As per tradition, the evenings will feature live music, dance orchestras, entertainment, and the usual concluding event on August 10 for Saint Lawrence. Dates may be subject to minor changes for logistical or weather reasons.
Programme Pappardella Festival 2026
The detailed musical program for the 2026 edition, with the names of the orchestras and dance groups, will be announced by U.P. Policiano in the weeks leading up to the event.
Based on past editions, the usual structure of the evenings includes:
- Food stall opening in the evening with pappardelle with duck ragù and mushrooms
- Dance evenings with liscio orchestras and live musical groups
- 80s and 90s revival night
- Briscola tournament
- August 10, Saint Lawrence: big dinner in the square, orchestra, and closing fireworks display
Highlights Pappardella Festival 2026
Prices Pappardella Festival 2026
Practical information — Pappardella Festival
How to get there
Policiano is a hamlet in the municipality of Arezzo, easily reachable by car from the city center in a few minutes and from the Arezzo exit of the A1 motorway. The reference railway station is Arezzo, on the Florence-Rome line.
When
The festival takes place on summer evenings, generally between late July and the first ten days of August, at the Policiano sports facilities. Food stalls open in the evening.
Tips
Dates and programs may be subject to change for logistical or weather reasons: it is advisable to check the official channels of U.P. Policiano before setting off. Free admission; you only pay for what you consume at the stalls.
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Where does it take place — Pappardella Festival
Impianti della Polisportiva di Policiano