Pumpkin Festival at the Visconti Castle of Fagnano Olona
The autumn feast with the giant risotto in the setting of the Visconti Castle
About Pumpkin Festival
Autumn at the Visconti Castle
The Pumpkin Festival is one of the most beloved autumn events in Fagnano Olona, a town in the province of Varese overlooking the Olona Valley. The event takes place in the setting of the Visconti Castle, an ancient manor that provides an exceptional backdrop for a genuine village feast, organized by the Pro Loco Fagnano Olona APS.
The Giant Risotto
The heart of the festival is the giant risotto, prepared with large quantities of rice, pumpkin, sausage, and amaretti biscuits: a recipe that blends sweet and savory according to a tradition dear to Lombard cuisine, which attracts gourmets from all over the region every year. Alongside the risotto, food stalls offer polenta and other specialties, while various types of pumpkins and apples, pumpkin bread and cakes, and roasted chestnuts are also available.
Market, Tours, and Families
The day opens in the morning with the artisan market, full of local creations and products, and continues with guided tours of the Visconti Castle curated by FAI volunteers, who recount the history of this important local heritage site. For the little ones, workshops and bouncy castles are planned, in a program designed for families. The Pumpkin Festival thus combines gastronomy, tradition, and the enhancement of historical heritage, in an authentic atmosphere of the province of Varese.
Pumpkin Festival — edition 2026
The Pumpkin Festival returns in 2026 to the Visconti Castle of Fagnano Olona, on a Sunday in October, reprising the traditional autumn feast organized by the Pro Loco Fagnano Olona APS.
As per tradition, the star is the giant risotto with pumpkin, sausage, and amaretti biscuits, accompanied by the artisan market, guided tours of the castle by FAI, seasonal products, and workshops for children. The precise date will be announced by the Pro Loco closer to the event.
Programme Pumpkin Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be published by Pro Loco Fagnano Olona closer to the date. Usual structure of the day (9:00 AM - 6:00 PM):
- 9:00 AM — opening of the artisan market with local creations and products
- From 10:00 AM — guided tours of the Visconti Castle by FAI volunteers
- 12:00 PM — opening of the food stall with polenta and specialties
- 5:00 PM — giant risotto with pumpkin, sausage, and amaretti biscuits
- Throughout the day — varieties of pumpkins and apples, pumpkin bread and cakes, roasted chestnuts, workshops and bouncy castles for children
Highlights Pumpkin Festival 2026
Prices Pumpkin Festival 2026
Practical information — Pumpkin Festival
When
In October, on a Sunday (the exact date is confirmed each year by the Pro Loco), from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.
Where
Visconti Castle of Fagnano Olona (VA), Olona Valley.
How to get there
Fagnano Olona can be reached by car via the SS527 Bustese; the nearest train stations are Busto Arsizio and Castellanza.
Information
Organization by Pro Loco Fagnano Olona APS. Updated date and program on the Pro Loco's channels.
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Where does it take place — Pumpkin Festival
Castello Visconteo di Fagnano Olona
Castello Visconteo, 21054 Fagnano Olona