Raviola Festival
Edition 2026 Music Circus Gastronomy

Raviola Festival

The oldest festival in the province of Bologna, dedicated to the San Giuseppe sweet treat

Castel Maggiore — Bologna (237)
Dates 12 Mar โ€” 15 Mar 2026
Location Castel Maggiore (237)
Prices Free
Status Finished

About Raviola Festival

In Trebbo di Reno, a hamlet of Castel Maggiore in the province of Bologna, the Festa della Raviola returns every March, considered the oldest festival in the Bolognese territory with over two centuries of history. The star is the raviola, a shortcrust pastry sweet filled with Bolognese mostarda, linked to the feast of San Giuseppe and the popular saying "Ora et Raviola". Four days of tastings, music, shows, markets, and competitions in a free-entry popular festival atmosphere, in the heart of the Emilia plain.

A tradition over two centuries old

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 raviola, San Giuseppe's sweet treat

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 2026 edition: tradition leaps into the ring of fire

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.

  • Sacred concert opening in the church of San Giovanni Battista
  • Parade of circus artists and acrobats through the town streets
  • Best raviola competition and circus arts competition
  • Sunday reuse market along Via Lame, with hobbyists, plants, and second-hand items
  • Live music, DJ sets, and food stalls

A festival for the whole community

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.

Raviola Festival โ€” edition 2026

The 214th edition of the Raviola Festival took place in Trebbo di Reno, a hamlet of Castel Maggiore (BO), from March 12 to 15, 2026. This year's theme was the world of circus: "tradition leaps into the ring of fire". Four days of raviole, live music, DJ sets, circus shows, competitions, and a reuse market, all with free admission.

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.

Programme Raviola Festival 2026

Program 214th edition (2026)

  • Thursday, March 12 - from 9 PM: festival opening; sacred choral concert "Sacred resonances: the voice in the soul" in the church of San Giovanni Battista
  • Friday, March 13 - from 4 PM to 11 PM: food stalls, raviole, music, and shows
  • Saturday, March 14 - from 10 AM to 11:30 PM: parade of circus artists, circus arts competition, live music, and DJ sets
  • Sunday, March 15 - from 10 AM to 8 PM: reuse market along Via Lame (10 AM-6 PM), best raviola competition, shows, and games

Highlights Raviola Festival 2026

  • Theme of the year: circus arts and the world of the circus
  • Parade of artists and acrobats through the streets of Trebbo di Reno
  • Best raviola competition and circus arts competition
  • Opening sacred choral concert in the church of San Giovanni Battista
  • Sunday reuse market along Via Lame
  • Food stalls with options for celiacs too

Prices Raviola Festival 2026

Free admission. Raviole and food products available for purchase at the stalls of the Pro Loco and participating vendors.

Practical information — Raviola Festival

Where it takes place

The festival is held in Trebbo di Reno, a hamlet of Castel Maggiore (BO), in the area of Piazza della Resistenza and Via Lame.

How to get there

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.

Admission and hours

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.

Contacts

Pro Loco of Castel Maggiore - tel. +39 331 4131176 - [email protected]

Festival-goer photos

No photos yet. Share yours!

Share your photos

5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)

Noticed an error or missing information?

Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.

Festival-goer reviews

No rating yet — be the first!

No comments yet. Be the first!

Were you there?

Share your experience with the community.

Where does it take place โ€” Raviola Festival

Trebbo di Reno - Piazza della Resistenza e Via Lame

Piazza della Resistenza, 40013 Castel Maggiore

Contact Raviola Festival

Raviola Festival in brief

Music Circus Gastronomy Local produce Chocolate Heritage History Folk traditions Folklore Family Outdoor Free Bologna

History of Raviola Festival