Santa Lucia and Real Cappone Fair of Racconigi

A royal fair spanning the centuries

The Santa Lucia and Real Cappone Fair is one of the most deeply rooted events in the town of Racconigi, located in the heart of the Savigliano area, in the province of Cuneo, Piedmont. Its origins are royal: it was the first King of Italy, Victor Emmanuel II, who officially established it in 1862, linking it to the feast of Saint Lucy and the rich agricultural calendar of the Piedmontese winter. Since then, the fair has been renewed every year around December 13th, transforming the historic center into a grand market of flavors, traditions, and local produce.

The Real Cappone, the undisputed star

The beating heart of the day is the Real Cappone di Racconigi, a product with Municipal Designation (De.Co.) and recently included in the list of Traditional Agri-food Products (PAT). This excellence is the focus of the famous exhibition-competition: breeders and hobbyists display their best birds under the market canopy, where a jury evaluates and awards them. It is the most anticipated and photographed moment of the fair, a symbol of the region's biodiversity and farming expertise.

Flavors and local traditions

Alongside the capon, the other great protagonist is tripe, a signature dish of Racconigi. The fair is also an opportunity to discover other local De.Co. products, such as the mulberry blackberry and the Real Biscotto di Racconigi. Throughout the day, local restaurants and businesses offer dedicated menus that reinterpret these delicacies through both traditional and creative recipes.

A historic center in celebration

From the early hours of the morning, the town streets come alive with:

• an exhibition of agricultural machinery;
• traditional Christmas stalls with themed items and artisanal gifts;
• a market of agricultural producers and artisanal excellence;
• the capon exhibition-competition with an awards ceremony;
• the usual Thursday market.

The event, organized by the Municipality of Racconigi in synergy with local associations, producers, and restaurateurs, is an unmissable appointment for those who want to experience the authentic atmosphere of a Piedmontese Christmas and take home a piece of tradition.