The Wild Mussel of Marina di Ravenna Festival
The Adriatic wild mussel festival, featuring seafood gastronomy, sustainability, and show cooking on the Fishing Harbor Basin
About The Wild Festival
The wild mussel festival on the port of Marina di Ravenna
Every year, in the heart of summer, the Fishing Harbor Basin of Marina di Ravenna (Municipality of Ravenna, Province of Ravenna, in Emilia-Romagna) becomes the stage for one of the most beloved gastronomic festivals on the Romagna Riviera: The Wild Mussel of Marina di Ravenna Festival, also known simply as The Wild Festival. The area between Molo Dalmazia and the Fish Market comes alive with kiosks, food stalls, and discussion forums dedicated to a unique seafood product.
A symbol of the Adriatic mollusk
The absolute star is the wild mussel from Marina di Ravenna, a bivalve that grows spontaneously on the poles of offshore gas platforms in the open sea. This is not traditional farming: it is a wild product, harvested by local mussel farmers, with flavorful meat and an intense aroma, considered a true Adriatic excellence and among the best in Italy. The festival was created precisely to promote this local supply chain and tell the story of the deep connection between Marina di Ravenna, its fishermen, and its sea.
Gastronomy, sustainability, and sea culture
The event is dedicated to seafood and the environment: alongside the food stalls, the program includes show cooking, debates, and meetings on fishing sustainability, as well as activities for families. Over the years, the festival has hosted boat trips to the platforms to discover how mussels are harvested, guided tastings with sommeliers and chefs, celebrity chef show cooking, and sea conservation initiatives. The event is promoted by the Pro Loco of Marina di Ravenna together with Slow Food Condotta of Ravenna, with the involvement of the Municipality of Ravenna and the mussel farmers' cooperatives.
What to eat
The wild mussel is offered in numerous variations, from the most classic Romagna maritime tradition recipes to the most creative interpretations by restaurateurs:
- Impepata di cozze selvagge (peppered wild mussels), the heart of tradition
- Gratin, fried, and marinara-style mussels
- Risotto and seafood pasta dishes featuring mussels
- Other Adriatic seafood specialties
- Local wines for pairing
A network of local restaurants, from the Lidi di Ravenna to the city, also includes the wild mussel on their menus for the entire duration of the festival.
An event for everyone
Open to tourists, families, and seafood lovers, The Wild Festival is the ideal opportunity to discover the maritime soul of Marina di Ravenna, amidst the charm of the fishing harbor, sea culture, and the typical hospitality of Romagna.
The Wild Festival — edition 2026
2026 Edition — The Thirteenth, Over Two Weekends
The 2026 edition of The Wild Mussel of Marina di Ravenna Festival marks an important novelty: for the first time, the event, now in its thirteenth edition, will span two weekends instead of the traditional three days, from July 10th to 12th and from July 17th to 19th, 2026, for a total of six days dedicated to seafood gastronomy and sustainability.
The heart of the event is the Fishing Harbor Basin of Marina di Ravenna, in the area between Molo Dalmazia and the Fish Market, which transforms into a large outdoor space with piazza kiosks, food stalls, show cooking, and debates dedicated to the wild mussel, involving local restaurateurs.
The detailed program day by day, with schedules, show cooking guests, and meeting calendar, will be announced by the organizers in the weeks preceding the event.
Programme The Wild Festival 2026
The thirteenth edition takes place over two weekends: July 10-11-12 and July 17-18-19, 2026, for a total of six days.
Usual Festival Structure
- Food stalls and kiosks on the Fishing Harbor Basin, between Molo Dalmazia and the Fish Market, with the wild mussel offered in numerous recipes
- Show cooking with chefs and guests dedicated to the wild mussel
- Debates and meetings on seafood gastronomy and fishing sustainability
- Involvement of local restaurants, from the Ravenna Lidi to the city, with the wild mussel on their menus
The detailed program with schedules, guests, and the full calendar of events will be published by the organizers (Pro Loco of Marina di Ravenna and Slow Food Condotta of Ravenna) closer to the event.
Highlights The Wild Festival 2026
The novelties and most anticipated moments of the 2026 edition:
- For the first time, the festival extends over two weekends (July 10-12 and 17-19), a total of six days
- The wild mussel from Marina di Ravenna, an Adriatic delicacy, is the star in all its variations
- Show cooking and debates on seafood gastronomy and sustainability
- Involvement of numerous local restaurants
Prices The Wild Festival 2026
Practical information — The Wild Festival
Where
Fishing Harbor Basin of Marina di Ravenna, in the area between Molo Dalmazia and the Fish Market, Marina di Ravenna (Municipality of Ravenna, RA).
When
In July. The 2026 edition takes place over two weekends: from July 10th to 12th and from July 17th to 19th. Food stalls generally open in the late afternoon.
How to get there
By car: from Ravenna, follow signs for Marina di Ravenna and the port. By train: Ravenna station, then bus or car to Marina di Ravenna. The area is also accessible from the Adriatica state road (SS16) and from the Ravenna Lidi.
Admission
Free entry to the festival area. Food and drinks are payable at the food stalls; some activities (dinners, guided tastings, show cooking) may require booking and a ticket.
Contacts
IAT Ravenna: [email protected] - tel. +39 0544 482838. Pro Loco Marina di Ravenna: marinadiravenna.org.
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Where does it take place — The Wild Festival
Bacino Pescherecci di Marina di Ravenna
Bacino Pescherecci, tra Molo Dalmazia e Mercato del Pesce, 48023 Ravenna