Saint Joseph's Fair
The historic agricultural and food fair of Cortemaggiore, in the province of Piacenza
About Saint Joseph's Fair
A Tradition Spanning Over Five Centuries
The Saint Joseph's Fair is one of the most deeply rooted and anticipated events in the calendar of the Municipality of Cortemaggiore, a town of Renaissance origin founded by the Pallavicino family, in the province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna). Dedicated to Saint Joseph, the town's patron saint, the fair has roots in a centuries-old tradition: in 2026, it reaches its 544th edition, confirming itself as the first major fair that officially opens the season of events, fairs, and festivals in the entire Piacenza province.
The Agricultural Fair and Exhibition
The heart of the event remains its soul as an agricultural fair: along the streets of the historic center, there are exhibitors of agricultural machinery, industrial vehicles, construction and gardening equipment, as well as craft and art stands. Among the most characteristic events is the Interprovincial Exhibition of Italian Friesian Cattle, held at the Franciscan Convent, and the charming parade of vintage tractors, now in its 23rd edition, which runs along Viale dei Frati.
Corte Food and the Flavors of the Territory
Gastronomy is a major protagonist with the Corte Food Fair, set up along the street leading to the Church of the Annunciation: stalls and stands allow visitors to taste and purchase typical foods and products of Piacenza and Italian tradition at any time, all accompanied by music and DJ sets. In Piazza Patrioti, the Grana Padano Festival is also held, featuring local dairies and the competition Il Grana del Magnifico, which awards the best local Grana Padano based on the judgment of a panel of professional tasters.
Collateral Events and New Features
The fair offers a packed program of initiatives: photographic and art exhibitions at the Duse Theater, a craft market, workshops for children, performances by the band, and theatrical shows. Among the most anticipated new features of the 2026 edition is the return, after more than fifty years, of the parade of vintage carriages with the "Cortemaggiore in Carrozza" competition, hosted in the public park on via Torricella, featuring vehicles and period costumes from the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Cortemaggiore and Its Identity
Organized by the Municipality of Cortemaggiore together with the Cortemaggiore Tourist Association, the Saint Joseph's Fair is much more than a commercial event: it is a symbolic moment that unites the Maggiostrina community, promotes the agri-food excellence of the Val d'Arda, and celebrates the identity of one of Emilia-Romagna's most fascinating Renaissance villages.
Saint Joseph's Fair — edition 2026
2026 Edition of the Saint Joseph's Fair
The 544th Saint Joseph's Fair in Cortemaggiore was held from March 13 to 15, 2026. The event opened on Friday the 13th with the awards ceremony for the dairies participating in the Il Grana del Magnifico competition, which saw twelve local dairies compete for the best Grana Padano in the 16/18 and 20/22 month categories, judged by a panel of nine professionals.
Over the weekend, Saturday the 14th and Sunday the 15th, the Corte Food Fair took place, along with the interprovincial exhibition of Italian Friesian cattle at the Franciscan Convent, the 23rd parade of vintage tractors along Viale dei Frati, and the Grana Padano Festival in Piazza Patrioti. The major novelty of this edition was the return of the parade of vintage carriages with the "Cortemaggiore in Carrozza" competition in the park on via Torricella, accompanied by exhibitions, a craft market, and workshops for children.
Programme Saint Joseph's Fair 2026
Friday, March 13
- "Il Grana del Magnifico" competition and awards ceremony: twelve local dairies competing for the best Grana Padano (16/18 and 20/22 month categories)
Saturday, March 14
- Opening of the agricultural fair along the streets of the center: agricultural machinery, industrial vehicles, construction, gardening, crafts
- Interprovincial exhibition of Italian Friesian cattle (Franciscan Convent)
- 23rd parade of vintage tractors (Viale dei Frati, afternoon)
- Corte Food Fair along the street leading to the Church of the Annunciation
- Exhibitions at the Duse Theater, craft market, band performance
Sunday, March 15
- Grana Padano Festival in Piazza Patrioti with local dairies and workshops for children
- "Cortemaggiore in Carrozza" competition: parade and contest of vintage carriages in the park on via Torricella
- Friesian cattle exhibition, Corte Food, and entertainment throughout the day
Highlights Saint Joseph's Fair 2026
- Return of the vintage carriage parade after more than fifty years
- "Il Grana del Magnifico" competition with twelve dairies competing
- 23rd parade of vintage tractors
- Interprovincial exhibition of Italian Friesian cattle
- Corte Food Fair
Prices Saint Joseph's Fair 2026
Practical information — Saint Joseph's Fair
How to Get There
Cortemaggiore is located in the Val d'Arda, in the province of Piacenza. By car, it is accessible from the A1 motorway (Fiorenzuola d'Arda exit) or the A21; the historic center is a few minutes from the main junctions. The reference train station is Fiorenzuola d'Arda, on the Milan-Bologna line, from which you can continue by bus or car.
Admission and Hours
Access to the fair and exhibition stands is free. Tastings and purchases at Corte Food are subject to the prices set by individual exhibitors. Events take place along the streets and squares of the historic center (Piazza Patrioti, Duse Theater, Franciscan Convent, park on via Torricella) over the three days in March.
Tips
It is advisable to arrive in the morning to best experience the agricultural exhibition and parades. The March weather requires clothing suitable for still cool temperatures. For updated information, it is useful to consult the website of the Municipality of Cortemaggiore and its social media channels.
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Where does it take place — Saint Joseph's Fair
Centro storico di Cortemaggiore
Piazza Patrioti, 29016 Cortemaggiore