Ronca Cherry Festival

A festival dedicated to the cherries of the Bolognese hills

The Ronca Cherry Festival is one of the most cherished festivals in the summer calendar of the Municipality of Monte San Pietro, in the heart of the Bolognese hills, in Emilia-Romagna (Metropolitan City of Bologna). The event takes place in the small locality of Ronca, at the Parish, and celebrates the fruit symbol of this hilly territory: the cherry, cultivated for generations by local farms.

Origins and tradition

Born from the initiative of the cherry growers of Ronca in collaboration with the Parish, the festival has grown year after year to become an anticipated event for the entire community and visitors from the surrounding areas. The 2026 edition marks the tenth anniversary of the event, confirming a deep bond between the village and its agricultural tradition. The festival falls during the harvest season, when the cherries of the Bolognese hills reach full maturity.

Gastronomy and typical products

The heart of the festival is the tasting of cherries and products from local farms. The food stands offer specialties of the Emilian tradition, served under the marquees set up for the occasion:

• Crescentine and tigelle, to be filled with local cured meats and cheeses;
• Borlenghi, the very thin wafer typical of the Bolognese and Modenese Apennines;
• Cherry desserts and other delicacies based on the star fruit;
• wines and products from local cellars and farmers.

Entertainment and atmosphere

Both evenings of the festival are accompanied by live musical entertainment. Past editions have included concerts by local bands, dialect performances, a charity raffle, and card tournaments like burraco. The atmosphere is that of a simple and convivial village festival, where people gather outdoors around tables to dine and listen to music on warm June evenings.

A local event

More than just a festival, the Ronca Cherry Festival is a meeting point for the community of Monte San Pietro and an opportunity to discover the authenticity of the Bolognese hills: landscapes of vineyards and cherry trees, zero-kilometer products, and the typical hospitality of Emilia-Romagna. Admission is free, and the event takes place in the afternoon and evening, starting from 4:00 PM.