Threshing and Plowing Festival
Peasant traditions come to life in the 'hanging village' of Tuscia
About Threshing and Plowing Vitorchiano
A festival celebrating the rural heritage of Tuscia
In Vitorchiano, the famous 'hanging village' perched on a volcanic rock spur in the province of Viterbo, the Threshing and Plowing Festival brings the ancient rural traditions of the Tuscia region back to life every summer. Established in 2024 by the Carnevale e Cultura association, the event reached its third edition in 2026 and has become a staple of the local summer calendar, supported by the Municipality of Vitorchiano and local partners.
The threshing re-enactment
The heart of the festival is the grain threshing re-enactment, performed live on Via della Stazione using vintage machinery. The sight of wheat sheaves, flying straw, the rhythmic noise of the machine, and the skilled hands of the workers recreate the atmosphere of a collective ritual that, until a few decades ago, marked the peak of the agricultural year in the countryside of Upper Lazio. The demonstration is preceded by a traditional blessing and accompanied by old-fashioned games, creating a festive atmosphere for all ages.
Night-time plowing and the Corsa del Ballone
The third day is dedicated to plowing: demonstrations take place in the fields during the late afternoon, followed by the event's most evocative moment, the night-time plowing, where tractors and farmers work the land illuminated by headlights and torches. The same evening features the Corsa del Ballone, a fun-filled race where local districts and associations compete by rolling giant straw bales.
Brass band, poetry, games, and flavors
The program is enriched by the inaugural performance of the Bersaglieri Brass Band of Viterbo, the 'Agriculture, What an Adventure' poetry contest, traditional games, and a food stall serving local traditional dishes every evening. Live music and DJ sets round off the nights in high spirits.
Vitorchiano, the hanging village
The festival is also a great opportunity to discover Vitorchiano, one of the most scenic villages in the Viterbo Tuscia area, in the Lazio region. Its medieval historic center, suspended on a cliff overlooking the Vezza valley, preserves intact walls, towers, and alleys. At its feet lies the famous Moai statue carved from local peperino stone—the only one of its kind in Europe. This setting makes the town's bond with stone, earth, and the agricultural traditions celebrated by the festival feel entirely natural.
Organization and spirit
The event is organized by the Carnevale e Cultura association, chaired by Gabriele Fanelli, with the patronage of the Municipality of Vitorchiano. Its goal is to pass on the memory of rural labor and traditional crafts to new generations, turning the end of the harvest into a moment of community, conviviality, and collective identity.
Threshing and Plowing Vitorchiano — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The 2026 Threshing and Plowing Festival takes place in Vitorchiano, in the province of Viterbo, over three days: Saturday, July 11, Sunday, July 12, and Saturday, July 18, on Via della Stazione. This is the third edition of the event organized by the Carnevale e Cultura association, led by president Gabriele Fanelli, with the patronage of the Municipality of Vitorchiano and the collaboration of various local entities.
The first weekend is dedicated to threshing: the inauguration on Saturday, July 11 at 6:00 PM features the Bersaglieri Brass Band of Viterbo, followed by the blessing of the threshing, traditional games, and the re-enactment with vintage machinery from 6:30 PM to 7:45 PM. On Sunday, July 12, in addition to the re-enactment, the awards ceremony for the first 'Agriculture, What an Adventure' poetry contest will be held. Both evenings continue with food stalls from 8:00 PM and music: a DJ set on Saturday and a live concert by Emanuele Fedeli on Sunday.
On Saturday, July 18, the spotlight shifts to plowing: demonstrations from 6:00 PM, food stalls from 7:30 PM, the fun Corsa del Ballone between districts and associations at 9:15 PM, and the grand finale at 10:00 PM with the night-time plowing. In case of bad weather, the festival will be postponed to the following week.
Programme Threshing and Plowing Vitorchiano 2026
Saturday, July 11
- 6:00 PM — Inauguration of the third edition with the Bersaglieri Brass Band of Viterbo
- Following — Blessing of the threshing and traditional games
- 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM — Threshing re-enactment with vintage machinery
- 8:00 PM — Opening of the food stall
- 9:15 PM — DJ set
Sunday, July 12
- 6:00 PM — Festival opening
- 6:30 PM — Awards ceremony for the first 'Agriculture, What an Adventure' poetry contest
- 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM — Threshing re-enactment and traditional games
- 8:00 PM — Opening of the food stall
- 9:15 PM — Live music with Emanuele Fedeli
Saturday, July 18
- 6:00 PM — Plowing demonstration
- 7:30 PM — Opening of the food stall
- 9:15 PM — Corsa del Ballone between districts and associations
- 10:00 PM — Night-time plowing
Highlights Threshing and Plowing Vitorchiano 2026
- Threshing re-enactment with vintage machinery (July 11 and 12, 6:30 PM - 7:45 PM)
- Inauguration with the Bersaglieri Brass Band of Viterbo
- Night-time plowing at 10:00 PM (July 18)
- Corsa del Ballone between districts and associations
- Awards for the first 'Agriculture, What an Adventure' poetry contest
- Traditional games and food stall with local dishes
- Live music with Emanuele Fedeli and DJ sets
Prices Threshing and Plowing Vitorchiano 2026
Practical information — Threshing and Plowing Vitorchiano
Location
The festival area is set up on Via della Stazione in Vitorchiano (VT), just outside the historic center, with dedicated spaces for threshing, games, and food stalls.
How to get there
By car, Vitorchiano can be reached from Viterbo in about 10-15 minutes via the Strada Teverina. From the A1 motorway, the recommended exit is Orte, then follow signs for Viterbo. Parking is available near the festival area.
Useful tips
Admission is free; the food stall opens in the evening. In case of bad weather, the event will be postponed to the following week. Information: +39 370 3167263.
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Where does it take place — Threshing and Plowing Vitorchiano
Via della Stazione
Via della Stazione, 01030 Vitorchiano