Sweet Fritter Festival

A mountain tradition in Marliana

The Sweet Fritter Festival is one of the most anticipated spring events in the municipality of Marliana, a small village perched at an altitude of about 470 meters in the hills of the Pistoia Mountains, in the Valdinievole area of the Pistoia province, Tuscany. Reaching its sixtieth edition in 2026, the festival is rooted in the peasant culture of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines, where the chestnut was for centuries a vital resource for the diet and economy of mountain communities.

The sweet fritter, the star of the show

The absolute star of the day is the sweet fritter, prepared with sweet chestnut flour obtained from the slow drying of Apennine chestnuts. The most awaited moment is the cooking in the famous 2.5-meter diameter pan, set up in the village's main square: from here, hot and fragrant fritters are distributed for free to all participants. Alongside the fritters, visitors can enjoy necci, both sweet and savory, another traditional Pistoian specialty made from chestnut flour, typically served with local ricotta.

Market, music, and off-road gathering

The festival is more than just food. An artisanal market winds through the village streets, featuring local products and crafts, while live music enlivens the square throughout the afternoon. One of the most unique features of the event is the Jeep Valdinievole Club gathering, showcasing 4x4 off-road vehicles that attract enthusiasts from across the region.

An event for the whole community

Organized by the Pro Loco of Marliana with the patronage of the Municipality, the Sweet Fritter Festival is a meeting point for locals and an opportunity for visitors to discover an authentic corner of the Pistoia mountains, far from the most crowded tourist circuits. The festival traditionally takes place on a Sunday afternoon in April and is a perfect excuse to combine a walk through the woods and villages of the Valdinievole with the discovery of the genuine flavors of sweet chestnut flour.

Marliana and the chestnut culture

As the third smallest municipality in the province of Pistoia, Marliana maintains a strong identity tied to the chestnut, a symbol of autumn and an ingredient in historic dishes like castagnaccio, fritters, and necci. The spring festival celebrates this very gastronomic and cultural heritage, keeping alive a tradition passed down through generations.