Spring Fair
The traditional fair of Sant'Ilario d'Enza with markets, music, and gastronomy
About Spring Fair
The Spring Fair of Sant'Ilario d'Enza
The Spring Fair is one of the most cherished events in the calendar of Sant'Ilario d'Enza, a municipality in the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. Organized by M&B Group Events with the authorization and collaboration of the Municipality, the event returns every spring as per tradition and transforms the heart of the town into a large space for widespread celebration.
For an entire weekend, the streets and squares of the historic center - including Piazza della Repubblica, Piazza IV Novembre, via Roma, and via Matteotti - fill with stalls, exhibitors, and activities. The offer is truly extensive and designed for all ages: from large markets to concerts, from food to sports events, from entertainment for the little ones to art, as well as moments dedicated to solidarity and inclusion.
Markets, Gastronomy, and Shows
The Great Fair Market and the weekly market are the commercial heart of the event, alongside second-hand markets like "Mercanti per un giorno" (Merchants for a Day), dedicated to younger people. The food stalls remain open throughout the weekend, with particular attention to Tyrolean specialties, which are the stars of the large opening feast, alongside the flavors of the Emilia region.
The entertainment part is rich with concerts, live music, sports and martial arts performances, photographic exhibitions, and cultural events also hosted in the symbolic places of the town such as the Mavarta Cultural Center and the municipal library. There is also a small amusement park in Piazza IV Novembre and traditional games, to the delight of families.
A Community Celebration
More than just a trade fair, the Spring Fair is a moment when Sant'Ilario d'Enza comes together and tells its story, promoting local associations, schools, and the region's sports and cultural realities. It is the ideal opportunity to discover this corner of the Bassa Reggiana, between the Enza river and the Via Emilia, and to experience the authentic atmosphere of Emilia's village festivals.
When it takes place
The Spring Fair is traditionally held in May, over a long weekend from Friday to Sunday. Admission to the fair streets and most events is free.
Spring Fair — edition 2026
The Spring Fair 2026 opened its doors on Friday, May 15 at 7 PM in Piazza della Repubblica with the "Great communal feast," dedicated to the aromas and flavors of Tyrol (canederli, spätzle, wurstel, strudel), followed at 9 PM by music from DJ Alpy. In the evening, at the Mavarta Cultural Center, the photographic exhibition "Quali fantasmi" (Which Ghosts) and a dialogue dedicated to building peace with Giorgio Bazzega, Franco Bonisoli, and Monica Castellari.
Saturday, May 16 featured the official opening at 10 AM with Mayor Marcello Moretti and the weekly market, followed in the afternoon by demonstrations of karate, self-defense, and capoeira, the inclusion festival "Scie di Colori" (Trails of Color) at the Mavarta Sports Center, a tribute to Lina Violi in the library, and in the evening, the concert by RAS - Ragazzi Anni Sessanta (Guys from the Sixties) in Piazza della Repubblica.
Sunday, May 17 was the highlight day with the international Aikido gathering and the Great Fair Market in the morning, the Orchestra delle Emozioni (Orchestra of Emotions) of the children from the B. Munari Primary School (4 PM), the concert "L'arpa tra Francia e Spagna" (The Harp between France and Spain) at the Mavarta Center (6 PM), and the closing live performance by Paolo Montanari's acoustic trio (9 PM). Throughout the weekend, there were food stalls, an amusement park in Piazza IV Novembre, the "Mercanti per un giorno" second-hand market, "I Giochi di una Volta" (Games of the Past) in Piazzale ME.FA., the Briscola card tournament, and the photographic exhibition "La Sant'Ilario Scomparsa" (The Lost Sant'Ilario).
Programme Spring Fair 2026
Friday, May 15
- 7 PM - Piazza della Repubblica: "Great communal feast" with Tyrolean specialties
- 9 PM - DJ Alpy in Piazza della Repubblica
- Evening - Mavarta Cultural Center: photographic exhibition "Quali fantasmi" and dialogue on peace with Giorgio Bazzega, Franco Bonisoli, and Monica Castellari
Saturday, May 16
- 10 AM - Official opening with Mayor Marcello Moretti and weekly market
- Afternoon - Demonstrations of karate, self-defense, and capoeira
- 3 PM - Mavarta Sports Center: "Scie di Colori", inclusion festival with a color run
- 4 PM - Library: tribute to Lina Violi
- Evening - Piazza della Repubblica: concert RAS - Ragazzi Anni Sessanta
Sunday, May 17
- Morning - International Aikido gathering and Great Fair Market
- 4 PM - Orchestra delle Emozioni (B. Munari Primary School)
- 6 PM - Mavarta Center: "L'arpa tra Francia e Spagna"
- 9 PM - Paolo Montanari acoustic trio live performance
For all three days
- Tyrolean and local food stalls
- Amusement park in Piazza IV Novembre
- "Mercanti per un giorno" second-hand market (via Matteotti)
- "I Giochi di una Volta" in Piazzale ME.FA.
- Briscola tournament with Giovanni Civa's Reggiano cards
- Photographic exhibition "La Sant'Ilario Scomparsa"
Highlights Spring Fair 2026
- Opening "Great communal feast" with Tyrolean specialties in Piazza della Repubblica
- Concert by RAS - Ragazzi Anni Sessanta
- International Aikido gathering
- Great Fair Market and "Mercanti per un giorno" second-hand market
- Amusement park and "I Giochi di una Volta" for families
Prices Spring Fair 2026
Practical information — Spring Fair
Where it takes place
The Spring Fair takes place in the historic center of Sant'Ilario d'Enza (RE), with its epicenter in Piazza della Repubblica and the surrounding streets and squares (Piazza IV Novembre, via Roma, via Matteotti, Piazzale ME.FA.).
How to get there
Sant'Ilario d'Enza is located along the Via Emilia (SS9), between Reggio Emilia and Parma. It can be reached by car from the A1 motorway (exits Reggio Emilia or Terre di Canossa-Campegine) and by train via the Sant'Ilario d'Enza railway station, on the Milan-Bologna line.
Admission and information
Admission to the fair areas is free. For information: Municipality of Sant'Ilario d'Enza, tel. +39 0522 902811 - SUAP and Productive Activities Service, via Roma 84.
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Where does it take place — Spring Fair
Centro storico di Sant'Ilario d'Enza
Piazza della Repubblica, 42049 Sant'Ilario d'Enza