Prato di Strada Cherry Festival

A village festival in the heart of the Casentino

The Cherry Festival takes place in Prato di Strada, a small hamlet within the municipality of Castel San Niccolò, in the province of Arezzo, nestled in the green heart of the Casentino. Situated along the banks of the Solano stream at the foot of the Pratomagno mountains, this village of ancient artisan roots transforms every year on the second-to-last Sunday of June into the stage for one of the valley's most cherished traditions. The event traditionally coincides with the feast of the patron saint, Saint John the Baptist, blending popular devotion with village conviviality.

Cherries, the stars of the season

As the name suggests, the absolute star is the cherry, the iconic fruit marking the beginning of summer in the Tuscan hills. This sweet seasonal fruit is the centerpiece of an entire weekend of flavor, where local products are showcased and offered to visitors traveling up from the Valdarno plains and other valleys in the Arezzo area.

The restaurant and Casentino cuisine

The beating heart of the festival is the restaurant, open every evening and also for lunch on Sunday. The menu features Casentino culinary specialties based on local produce: traditional Tuscan dishes ranging from tripe to wild boar, and from snails to fish dishes, all served by the numerous volunteers who make this event possible every year.

Music, dancing, and entertainment

The evenings at the Cherry Festival are marked by music: every night, orchestra dancing turns the festival area into an open-air dance floor, following the best traditions of Tuscan and Romagna ballroom dancing. Throughout the weekend, there is no shortage of games for adults and children, motorcycle rallies, fishing competitions, archery contests, and other entertainment that make this festival a perfect outing for the whole family.

A tradition organized by volunteers

The event is organized by the Cherry Festival Cultural Association in collaboration with many local volunteers. Reaching its 40th edition in 2026, the festival represents a precious example of a community mobilizing to keep a tradition alive and to promote the Casentino area and the province of Arezzo, in Tuscany.