Steak Festival

A festival scented with wood smoke in the heart of Garfagnana

Every late August, the town of Pieve Fosciana, in the Media Valle del Serchio in the province of Lucca, hosts one of the most beloved gastronomic festivals in the Garfagnana region: the Steak Festival. Reaching its 20th edition in 2026, the event takes place at the Viale Europa sports complex and draws hundreds of food lovers from across Tuscany and beyond to celebrate grilled meat and local culinary traditions.

The queen of the festival: wood-fired steak

The undisputed star is the wood-fired grilled steak, served in various sizes: from smaller 300-400g cuts to the classic 1kg Florentine steak. Alongside the meat, the menu features a rich rustic Garfagnana appetizer with local cured meats and cheeses, first courses such as rigatoni all'amatriciana with guanciale and Garfagnana pecorino, side dishes, and select wines. The kitchen is open every evening from 7:30 PM to 10:30 PM.

The legendary 2kg challenge

The true symbol of the festival is the 2kg steak challenge: those who manage to devour two kilograms of boneless meat, accompanied by two side dishes of their choice, within one hour do not pay for the meal. A test that has seen hundreds of challengers since 2011, with only a small minority succeeding. The challenge has become a local legend, attracting curious onlookers and brave souls from across the region.

Music, atmosphere, and conviviality

Beyond the food, every evening is brought to life by live music, DJ sets, and entertainment, with an atmosphere inspired by the festival's convivial and country spirit. There is no shortage of tournaments and activities that make the Steak Festival a perfect destination for families, groups of friends, and meat lovers.

An opportunity to discover Garfagnana

Attending the Steak Festival also means immersing yourself in one of the most evocative territories in Tuscany: the Garfagnana, a land of villages, chestnut forests, cheeses, and centuries-old traditions, nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. Pieve Fosciana, with its peace and landscapes, is the ideal starting point to combine taste and nature.