The oldest festival in the province of Bologna, dedicated to the San Giuseppe sweet treat
The Raviola Festival in Trebbo di Reno, a hamlet of the Municipality of Castel Maggiore in the province of Bologna, is considered the oldest festival in the Bolognese province. Its roots lie in the religious celebrations of the Solemn Quarantore, documented in the parish archives for over three hundred years: at the end of the rites, the community gathered for a convivial moment that gave rise to the popular saying "Ora et Raviola". From this, a popular festival has been renewed for over two hundred years in the heart of the Emilian plain, in Emilia-Romagna.
The absolute protagonist is the raviola, a crescent-shaped shortcrust pastry sweet filled with Bolognese mostarda, which was once prepared in the countryside around Bologna to celebrate the feast of San Giuseppe on March 19th. Even today, raviole are prepared and sold by volunteers from the Pro Loco of Castel Maggiore, alongside numerous food stalls offering traditional Emilian dishes and options suitable for those with celiac disease.
The 214th edition, scheduled from March 12 to 15, 2026, is dedicated to the world of circus and circus arts. Artists and acrobats parade through the streets of Trebbo di Reno, while the program alternates live music, DJ sets, shows, and games. Two competitions animate the event: one for the best raviola and one dedicated to circus arts, judged by professionals.
Organized by the Pro Loco together with the Consulta di Trebbo, the festival has always been a meeting point for local families and visitors from neighboring municipalities. In recent years, the event has managed to renew itself, adding spaces dedicated to young people, games, and pop culture alongside the gastronomic tradition. Admission is completely free, in the true spirit of a village festival.
The 214th Raviola Festival enlivened Trebbo di Reno from March 12 to 15, 2026, with an edition dedicated to circus arts and the slogan "tradition leaps into the ring of fire".
Opening on Thursday, March 12 from 9 PM, with a sacred choral concert in the church of San Giovanni Battista. In the following days, parades of circus artists through the town streets, live music and DJ sets on stage, the best raviola competition, and a competition dedicated to circus arts. On Sunday the 15th, there was also space for the reuse market along Via Lame. The raviole, shortcrust pastry sweets filled with Bolognese mostarda, were prepared and sold by the Pro Loco of Castel Maggiore. Free admission.
The festival is held in Trebbo di Reno, a hamlet of Castel Maggiore (BO), in the area of Piazza della Resistenza and Via Lame.
By car: Castel Maggiore is a few kilometers north of Bologna, accessible from the SS64 Porrettana and the Bologna ring road (northern exits). By train: Castel Maggiore station on the Bologna-Verona line, with a bus to Trebbo di Reno. By plane: Bologna "Guglielmo Marconi" airport, about 15 km away.
Free admission. Opening Thursday, March 12 from 9 PM; Friday, March 13 from 4 PM to 11 PM; Saturday, March 14 from 10 AM to 11:30 PM; Sunday, March 15 from 10 AM to 8 PM.
Pro Loco of Castel Maggiore - tel. +39 331 4131176 - [email protected]
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Trebbo di Reno - Piazza della Resistenza e Via Lame
Piazza della Resistenza, 40013 Castel Maggiore