Ranocchiata Festival
The historic festival of Fresciano, in the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, featuring fried frogs and the famous Cart Frog Race
About La Ranocchiata
A half-century of tradition in Fresciano
The Ranocchiata Festival is one of the most deeply rooted summer events in the upper Tuscan Valtiberina. It takes place in Fresciano, a charming hamlet in the municipality of Badia Tedalda (Province of Arezzo, Tuscany), an Apennine village perched on the ridge bordering Tuscany and Emilia-Romagna. Established in the 1970s, the festival has surpassed its fiftieth edition and continues to draw residents, vacationers, and many guests returning to the village from the cities every August.
Frogs as the main attraction
As the name suggests, the festival's signature dish is fried frogs, a specialty of central Italian peasant cuisine linked to the streams and wetlands of the Apennines. At the food stalls, set up by the Circolo La Pineta of Fresciano, visitors can enjoy this and other local traditional dishes in a convivial atmosphere that lies at the heart of the festival.
The Cart Frog Race
The most famous and iconic attraction of the Ranocchiata is the Cart Frog Race, a fun and spectacular competition that entertains generations and has become the event's trademark. Alongside the race, the afternoon is filled with games organized for adults and children, transforming the village streets into a large celebration space for the whole family.
Music and evenings in the square
The festival is often accompanied by musical evenings and entertainment: recent editions have included Ranapop, an evening dedicated to music that extends the convivial spirit of Fresciano into the August nights. During the summer, the hamlet experiences a particularly lively season, with a program of initiatives that culminates in the Ranocchiata.
A village to discover
Attending the Ranocchiata is also an opportunity to discover Fresciano and the territory of Badia Tedalda, nestled in the greenery of the Alpe della Luna and the Casentino-Romagna forests. Fresh mountain air, trails, Apennine landscapes, and the hospitality of a small community provide the backdrop for an authentic festival, far from mass tourism, where popular tradition is still very much alive.
La Ranocchiata — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Ranocchiata Festival is confirmed in the official calendar of Valtiberina events, with the appointment scheduled for mid-August in Fresciano, a hamlet of Badia Tedalda (AR). The festival will repeat its proven formula: an afternoon of games for all ages, the unmissable Cart Frog Race, and the food stalls of the Circolo La Pineta with traditional fried frogs.
The exact date and detailed program of the 2026 edition will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event. For updates, it is recommended to follow the Instagram account @la_ranocchiata_fresciano or contact Visit Badia Tedalda.
Programme La Ranocchiata 2026
The detailed program of the 2026 edition, including times and activities, will be announced by the organizers in the weeks before the festival (presumably at the end of July or early August).
Based on recent editions, the day is roughly structured as follows:
- Afternoon — Games organized for adults and children along the village streets.
- Cart Frog Race — The historic fun race, the festival's signature attraction.
- From the evening — Opening of food stalls with fried frogs and traditional dishes.
- At night — Music and entertainment (in recent editions with the "Ranapop" event).
It is recommended to check times and details on official channels once the 2026 program is published.
Highlights La Ranocchiata 2026
Prices La Ranocchiata 2026
Practical information — La Ranocchiata
Where
Fresciano, a hamlet of Badia Tedalda (AR), Tuscany, in the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines. Postal code 52032.
How to get there
By car: from Arezzo or Sansepolcro, reach Badia Tedalda via the Valtiberina road network, then continue to the hamlet of Fresciano. The area is mountainous: a car is recommended. Nearest train station: Sansepolcro/Arezzo, then continue by road.
When
Traditionally in mid-August. The exact date for the 2026 edition will be announced by the organizers.
Information
Visit Badia Tedalda: [email protected], tel. +39 353 3614273. Updates on the Instagram account @la_ranocchiata_fresciano.
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Where does it take place — La Ranocchiata
Fresciano