Staggia Senese Frog Festival

The Frog Festival, the gastronomic heart of Staggia Senese

Every year, in the heart of the Tuscan summer, the village of Staggia Senese — an ancient fortified hamlet in the municipality of Poggibonsi, in the province of Siena — comes alive for one of its most cherished traditions: the Frog Festival. This popular gastronomic event has been drawing locals and visitors from across the Valdelsa and the Sienese province for decades, all attracted by the aromas of village cooking and the convivial atmosphere that only Tuscan festivals can offer.

Fried frogs, the festival's signature dish

The name of the festival reveals its specialty: fried frogs, prepared according to the traditional recipe and served crispy at the food stalls. This dish, rooted in Tuscan peasant cooking, was once common in the countryside near waterways; today, it has become a rarity that the festival helps keep alive. Alongside the frogs, the menu features other classic village fair favorites: grilled meat every evening, fried fish and cacciucco, snails, and pizza baked on select nights.

An event organized by volunteers

The Frog Festival is entirely managed by the volunteers of G.S.D. Staggia Senese, the local sports club, which has been setting up the stalls at the Via Romana Sports Grounds for many years. It is this spirit of volunteerism that gives the event its authentic character: a festival created by the community for the community, where proceeds support the association's activities and the social life of the village.

Staggia Senese, a village to discover

The festival is also the perfect opportunity to visit Staggia Senese, a village of ancient origins dominated by its imposing medieval fortress along the historic Via Francigena. The setting, nestled in the hills of the Sienese Valdelsa, adds charm to an evening spent outdoors with good food and music.

Music and conviviality

The festival evenings are enlivened by music and entertainment, with dancing that brings the stalls to life, especially on weekends. Admission to the festival area is free, and the simple, family-friendly environment is perfect for everyone, from families to groups of friends looking for an authentic evening in the Tuscan countryside.