Rice Fritter Festival at the Pieve of Bagno a Ripoli
The historic rice fritters by Contrada Alfiere, every Carnival weekend at the Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli
About Rice Fritter Festival
A sweet Carnival tradition in the Florentine Hills
The Rice Fritter Festival is one of the most cherished events of the Carnival season in Bagno a Ripoli, a town in the Metropolitan City of Florence, Tuscany. Every Saturday and Sunday, from late January to early March, the square in front of the Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli, in the Sorgane area along the ancient Via Cassia, transforms into a small open-air kitchen where the air is filled with the unmistakable aroma of freshly fried fritters.
The Alfiere rice fritters
The undisputed stars are the rice fritters, traditional Tuscan sweets linked to the Carnival period and Saint Joseph's Day. Prepared according to a time-tested recipe and fried to order right in front of customers, they are served hot and generously dusted with sugar. These are not mass-produced: every weekend, a team of volunteers rotates between fryers, the cash register, and service, churning out fritters until supplies run out. It is this freshness, combined with a homemade taste, that makes them a delicious ritual that locals and Florentines look forward to year after year.
Contrada Alfiere, the heart of the festival
The event is organized by the Associazione Culturale Contrada Alfiere, which first launched it in 1983: 2026 marks the 44th edition of this long-standing tradition. The festival is the primary source of funding for the local association and involves veteran volunteers, young people, and local entities, including sports clubs that lend a hand during the busiest weekends. A portion of the proceeds is traditionally donated to the parish of San Pietro a Ripoli to support the community.
Atmosphere and setting
More than a spectacular event, the Rice Fritter Festival is a genuine, popular village feast: no stages or concerts, just the simple pleasure of waiting in line at the stand, enjoying a bag of hot fritters while strolling, and the chance to catch up with neighbors in the heart of Carnival. The backdrop of the Romanesque church and the Florentine Hills adds charm to this delicious stop, which is easily reachable from Florence in just a few minutes.
- Rice fritters fried to order by volunteers
- Free entry, stand open every Saturday and Sunday of the period
- Tradition active since 1983 at the Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli
- Part of the proceeds donated to the parish
Rice Fritter Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Rice Fritter Festival marked 44 years of a tradition born in 1983. For six weekends, from January 31 to March 1, the Contrada Alfiere stand at the Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli sold rice fritters fried on the spot by volunteers. During the final weekend, February 28 and March 1, attendance remained high, with the usual participation of both long-time and young volunteers.
Programme Rice Fritter Festival 2026
Schedule
The festival took place over six consecutive weekends during the Carnival period:
- January 31 – February 1
- February 7 – 8
- February 14 – 15
- February 21 – 22
- February 28 – March 1
Each day: stand open from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, with rice fritters fried to order by the Contrada Alfiere volunteers. On Sundays, sales continued until supplies ran out.
Highlights Rice Fritter Festival 2026
Prices Rice Fritter Festival 2026
Practical information — Rice Fritter Festival
Location
The Rice Fritter Festival stand is located on Via Poggio della Pieve, at the intersection with Via Roma, near the Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli, in the Sorgane area of Bagno a Ripoli (FI).
How to get there
From Florence, it can be reached in a few minutes by car following the Sorgane–Bagno a Ripoli route; the area is also served by suburban public transport to Bagno a Ripoli. It is advisable to arrive a little early on the busiest weekends.
Hours and prices
The stand is open every Saturday and Sunday from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM; on Sundays, fritters are sold until supplies last. Free entry; fritters can be purchased directly at the stand.
Contacts
Associazione Culturale Contrada Alfiere — website contradaalfiere.com, Facebook and Instagram page @contrada_alfiere.
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Where does it take place — Rice Fritter Festival
Pieve di San Pietro a Ripoli
Via Poggio della Pieve 3, all'incrocio con Via Roma, 50012 Bagno a Ripoli