Risò - International Rice Festival
The major international rice festival in the Italian capital of rice cultivation
About Risò
Risò, the festival celebrating Piedmont's white gold
Risò - International Rice Festival is the major event that transforms Vercelli, in the heart of the Piedmontese rice plains, into the world capital of rice every September. Surrounded by rice paddies that reflect the sky like vast lakes in spring, the city is the natural setting for an event showcasing one of Italy's most iconic agri-food treasures. Promoted by the Province of Vercelli, the City of Vercelli, and the National Rice Board (Ente Nazionale Risi), the festival brings together institutions, producers, researchers, chefs, and thousands of visitors.
An event with many souls
Risò is more than just a local food festival: it is an international format that weaves together multiple layers. There is the business-to-business dimension, with meetings between foreign buyers and local companies; the scientific dimension, featuring an international conference promoted by the University of Eastern Piedmont "Amedeo Avogadro"; and above all, the grand popular celebration of the Risò Village, which opens to the public in the historic city center.
The Village is divided into various thematic areas: the Producers' Pavilion, the Institutional Pavilion, the Food Pavilion with showcooking and tastings, the Kids' Area with workshops and interactive games for children, and an exhibition space dedicated to tractors and the agricultural supply chain. The event also includes exhibitions, talks, local tours, and meetings with industry experts.
A tradition looking to the future
Vercelli's rice farming is rooted in centuries of history, marked by the labor of the mondine (rice weeders) and great hydraulic engineering works like the Cavour Canal, the 19th-century infrastructure that made intensive rice cultivation on the plains possible. Alongside historical memory, Risò highlights agricultural innovation, sustainability, and research, showcasing how Piedmontese rice—from Arborio to Carnaroli—is a staple on tables worldwide today.
Vercelli, city of rice
Visiting Risò is also the perfect opportunity to discover Vercelli and its heritage: the Basilica of Sant'Andrea, the Salone Dugentesco, the Civic Theatre, and the evocative waterways that cross the province. A weekend where gastronomy, culture, and landscape merge under the banner of Piedmont's white gold.
Risò — edition 2026
The second edition of Risò - International Rice Festival takes place in Vercelli from September 9 to 14, 2026, following the extraordinary debut in 2025. The 2026 edition is dedicated to two symbolic anniversaries of Italian rice farming: the 160th anniversary of the Cavour Canal, the hydraulic work that enabled the irrigation of the rice plains, and the 80th anniversary of the recognition of the Arborio variety, one of the most famous rice types in the world.
The event is promoted by the Province of Vercelli, the City of Vercelli, and the National Rice Board, with the involvement of the University of Eastern Piedmont, Ceipiemonte, the Monte Rosa Laghi Alto Piemonte Chamber of Commerce, the Italian Trade Agency (ICE), and numerous institutional partners.
Programme Risò 2026
September 9-10 — B2B Days (Vercelli Borsa Merci)
- September 9: Day dedicated to Piedmontese food specialties
- September 10: Meetings reserved for producers and processors of rice and rice-based products, with international buyers
September 11-13 — Risò Village open to the public (historic center)
The Village is the beating heart of the event, divided into thematic areas:
- Producers' Pavilion — stands and direct sales from rice farms
- Institutional Pavilion — agencies, consortia, and regional promotion
- Food Pavilion — showcooking and tastings
- Kids' Area — workshops and interactive games for families
- "Tractors and Supply Chain" Exhibition Space — agricultural machinery and rice technology
Three exhibitions are set up: 160 Years of the Cavour Canal, 80 Years of Arborio Rice, and Rice Reflections. Local tours and meetings with institutions and industry experts are also scheduled.
September 13-14 — International Scientific Conference
"International Conference on Rice Innovation for Sustainable Agricultural and Nutrition", promoted by the University of Eastern Piedmont "Amedeo Avogadro".
The detailed day-by-day program, including times and guests, will be published on the official website festivaldelriso.it in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights Risò 2026
- Celebration of the 160th anniversary of the Cavour Canal and 80th anniversary of Arborio rice
- Risò Village with Producers', Institutional, Food, and Kids' pavilions
- Showcooking, tastings, and exhibitions in Vercelli's historic center
- International B2B days and university scientific conference
Prices Risò 2026
Practical information — Risò
Getting there
By train: Vercelli is on the Turin-Milan line, with the station just a few minutes from the historic center where the Risò Village is held.
By car: Take the Vercelli Ovest or Vercelli Est exit on the A4 Turin-Milan motorway.
When
The Village open to the public takes place from September 11 to 13, 2026, in the historic center (Via San Cristoforo 3 and surrounding areas). B2B days are held on September 9 and 10 at the Borsa Merci, while the international scientific conference is scheduled for September 13 and 14.
Admission
Access to the Risò Village is generally free; some tastings, workshops, or special events may have a fee. We recommend checking the official website festivaldelriso.it for the updated program and any ticket information.
Information
Official website: festivaldelriso.it — official social media channels Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube @RISO.FestivaldelRiso.
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Where does it take place — Risò
Villaggio Risò - Centro storico di Vercelli
Via San Cristoforo 3, 13100 Vercelli