The Cervia Mussel Festival

The mussel festival in the heart of Cervia

Every year, between the end of May and the beginning of June, the Borgo Marina of Cervia (Province of Ravenna, Emilia-Romagna) dresses up for a party to celebrate its most beloved fish delicacy: the mussel. The Cervia Mussel Festival transforms the characteristic fishing village, overlooking the canal port and via Nazario Sauro, into a large gastronomic village where maritime tradition, good food, and entertainment meet for four days.

A symbol of Romagna

The Cervia mussel is no ordinary mollusc: it is farmed in the open sea, a few miles off the coast, in controlled waters, and has earned recognition as a quality product over the years. The festival was created precisely to promote this local supply chain and tell the public about the deep connection between the city and its sea, in one of the most popular seaside resorts on the Romagna Riviera.

What to eat

The absolute star is the mussel, offered in stalls and restaurants in the village in numerous recipes, from the most classic to the most creative. Alongside the symbolic mollusc, the stalls offer other local catches and the great classics of Romagna cuisine:

• Mussels marinara style, gratinated, and in a thousand other preparations
• Adriatic blue fish: sardines, red mullet, and seafood specialties
• The unmissable Romagna piadina as an accompaniment
• Wines and beers for evening aperitifs

Not just gastronomy

During the event, the village comes alive with live music and DJ sets every evening, shows, and entertainment designed for families, tourists, and seafood cuisine enthusiasts. A special edition of the Borgomarina Vetrina di Romagna markets, featuring local crafts and products, also accompanies the festival. The area around the San Michele Tower and the village streets provide the setting for an evening stroll amidst aromas, flavors, and a maritime atmosphere.

An event for everyone

Organized by the Cervia Centro Promotion Association, The Cervia Mussel Festival is free admission: you only pay for what you consume at the stalls. It is the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic soul of Cervia, with the charm of the canal port, the fishermen's tradition, and the typical hospitality of Romagna.