Sciocolà – Artisan Chocolate Festival
The artisan chocolate festival in the heart of Modena
About Sciocolà
Sciocolà, Modena's Chocolate Festival
Sciocolà is the Artisan Chocolate Festival held annually in the historic centre of Modena, the capital of the province of the same name in Emilia-Romagna. For a long weekend, the most beautiful streets and squares of the Este city – from Piazza Grande, a UNESCO World Heritage site, to Corso Duomo, Via Emilia Centro, Piazza Matteotti, Piazza Torre, and Piazza Mazzini – fill with the aroma of cocoa and welcome artisan master chocolatiers and pastry chefs from all over Italy and Europe.
A Journey into Signature Chocolate
The event offers over a hundred activities dedicated to chocolate in all its nuances: dark, flavoured, spiced, gluten-free. Visitors can taste and purchase pralines, bars, and signature creations along a route of stands that winds through the heart of Modena. Alongside the market, the programme features show cooking, guided tastings, gastronomic and cultural meetings, book presentations, awards, and spectacular giant chocolate sculptures created live.
For the Whole Family
Sciocolà is also an event designed for families: children can participate in creative workshops to experience the art of chocolate, while itinerant shows, music, and entertainment accompany the public from one square to another. Each edition is characterized by a theme that serves as a common thread for the decorations and cultural initiatives.
A Local Project
The festival is organised by CNA Modena together with SGP Grandi Eventi, with the support of the Municipality of Modena, the Chamber of Commerce of Modena, and the Emilia-Romagna Region. Admission to the event is free, confirming the popular and inclusive nature of an event that has become one of the most anticipated food and wine events of the Modenese autumn.
Sciocolà — edition 2026
From October 29 to November 1, 2026, Modena's historic centre will host the eighth edition of Sciocolà, the Artisan Chocolate Festival. The city's squares – Piazza Grande, Corso Duomo, Via Emilia Centro, Piazza Matteotti, Piazza Torre, and Piazza Mazzini – will welcome artisan chocolatiers and pastry chefs with a market and over one hundred free events.
The programme includes guided tastings, show cooking, workshops for children and adults, gastronomic and cultural meetings, book presentations, and spectacular giant chocolate sculptures created live. The event is promoted by CNA Modena together with SGP Grandi Eventi, with the support of the Municipality of Modena and the Emilia-Romagna Region.
Programme Sciocolà 2026
Four days of programming in Modena's historic centre, from early morning until evening (opening Thursday, October 29 from 9:00 AM, closing Sunday, November 1):
- Artisan chocolate market with master chocolatiers and pastry chefs from all over Italy and Europe
- Show cooking and guided tastings (from dark to flavoured, spiced to gluten-free)
- Creative workshops for children and adults
- Giant chocolate sculptures created live
- Gastronomic and cultural meetings, book presentations, awards ceremonies
- Itinerant shows, music, and entertainment in the squares
The detailed programme will be published on the official website www.sciocola.it in the weeks preceding the event.
Highlights Sciocolà 2026
- Eighth edition of Modena's chocolate festival
- Over 100 events over four days
- Master chocolatiers and pastry chefs from all over Italy and Europe
- Show cooking, workshops, and giant chocolate sculptures
- Free admission in the heart of the historic centre
Prices Sciocolà 2026
Practical information — Sciocolà
When and Where
Sciocolà is held in the historic centre of Modena, between Piazza Grande, Corso Duomo, Via Emilia Centro, Piazza Matteotti, Piazza Torre, and Piazza Mazzini. The 2026 edition is scheduled from October 29 to November 1.
Admission
Admission to the festival is free. Some workshops and guided tastings may require booking on the official website.
How to Get There
Modena is easily reachable by train (Modena station, on the Milan-Bologna line) and by car from the A1 motorway (Modena Nord or Modena Sud exit). The historic centre is largely pedestrianized: it is advisable to use peripheral car parks and public transport services.
Information
Full programme and updates on the website www.sciocola.it and on the official social media channels of the event.
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Where does it take place — Sciocolà
Centro storico di Modena