Primavera Fruttuosa - Spring Fruit Festival
A celebration of ancient fruits and biodiversity in Cartosio
About Primavera Fruttuosa
A festival dedicated to ancient fruits and biodiversity
Primavera Fruttuosa, also known as the Spring Fruit Festival, is one of the most anticipated and vibrant events of the year in Cartosio, a small village in the Acqui Terme area of the province of Alessandria, in the heart of Piedmont. Every year, with the arrival of the warmer season, Piazza Terracini and its surrounding streets transform into a large open-air garden, filled with exhibitors, nurserymen, nature lovers, and families.
The market exhibition
The heart of the event is the large market exhibition: ancient fruit tree varieties, chestnut trees, small fruits, vegetable and garden seedlings, seeds, citrus fruits, and local artisanal and food products. The event also features a traditional citrus exhibition and a seed swap, a simple gesture that protects and passes on agricultural biodiversity.
Workshops, culture, and music
Primavera Fruttuosa is more than just a market; it is a true celebration of rural culture. Throughout the morning, there are pruning and grafting lessons for fruit trees, practical gardening demonstrations, and meetings dedicated to plant care. The afternoon is enlivened by workshops and games for children, music, and discussions on nutrition and climate change. The day concludes with musical performances and guest choirs.
A local event
Organized by the Pro Loco of Cartosio with the support of the Municipality of Cartosio and local associations, Primavera Fruttuosa has become a classic spring event in the Acqui Terme area. It is a free event designed for those who love nature, vegetable gardening, and the rural traditions of Piedmont. It is the perfect opportunity to discover Cartosio and its surroundings, amidst hills, forests, and the scents of the countryside.
Primavera Fruttuosa — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Primavera Fruttuosa, the eleventh, was held on Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Piazza Terracini in Cartosio, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, under the theme "Sowing the Future." A day entirely dedicated to ancient fruits, biodiversity, and gardening culture, with exhibitors, nurserymen, workshops, music, and activities for families.
Programme Primavera Fruttuosa 2026
Sunday, March 22, 2026 - Theme: "Sowing the Future"
Time: from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, in Piazza Terracini and surrounding streets.
Morning
- 9:00 AM - Opening of the market exhibition: ancient fruit tree varieties, chestnut trees, small fruits, vegetable and garden seedlings, seeds, artisanal and food products, citrus exhibition, and photo exhibits; seed swap.
- 9:20 AM - Practical gardening lesson.
- 10:00 AM - Pruning and grafting lesson for fruit trees with the Fruit Growing Academy.
- 10:35 AM - Guided meeting on citrus cultivation.
- 11:15 AM - Workshop on preservation.
- 11:45 AM - Conversation on seed conservation.
Afternoon
- At lunch, the traditional fruitful polenta.
- 1:30 PM - Celtic music with the group Anam Àrsa.
- 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM - Workshops and games for children with a fruity snack.
- 3:30 PM - Conversation with nutritionist Elena Siksich on the nutritional and health properties of peas, beans, walnuts, hazelnuts, pumpkin seeds, and sunflower seeds.
- 5:00 PM - 5:30 PM - Performance by the Anffas Choir of Acqui Terme.
Highlights Primavera Fruttuosa 2026
Prices Primavera Fruttuosa 2026
Practical information — Primavera Fruttuosa
When
Primavera Fruttuosa takes place in spring, on a Sunday in March, from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Where
Piazza Terracini and surrounding streets, in the center of Cartosio (AL), Piedmont.
How to get there
Cartosio is easily reached by car from the A26 motorway, taking the Ovada exit and continuing towards Acqui Terme. The village is about 15 km from Acqui Terme. Parking is available in areas near the town center.
Admission and contact
Admission to the event is free. For information: Municipality of Cartosio, tel. +39 0144 40126, email [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Primavera Fruttuosa
Piazza Terracini
Piazza Terracini, 15015 Cartosio