Tortellino Festival
The festival of handmade tortellini by the arzdore of Borgo Tossignano
About Tortellino Festival
Tortellini, the heart of Borgo Tossignano's tradition
The Tortellino Festival is the most anticipated gastronomic event in Borgo Tossignano, a small municipality in the Santerno valley in the Province of Bologna, at the foot of the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines. For three weekends in May, the village gathers around its most beloved dish, tortellini, prepared strictly by hand by the arzdore – the "keepers" of the home, guardians of the pasta dough rolled out with a rolling pin according to tradition passed down from mother to daughter.
Ten quintals of fresh pasta
The numbers clearly show the popular scale of the festival: every year, the arzdore of Borgo Tossignano prepare about ten quintals of handmade tortellini, served in a large gastronomic stand set up at the Sports Field. Alongside the tortellino, the absolute star both in broth and with sauce, you'll find a rich menu of Emilia-Romagna cuisine specialties, from traditional first courses to grilled meats, and homemade desserts.
A community-made festival
Behind the scenes, over sixty volunteers work, coordinated by the town's sports association: it is this community spirit that makes the festival so authentic. More than a commercial fair, the Tortellino Festival is a great gathering moment for the inhabitants of the valley and for those arriving from nearby Imola and the surrounding municipalities, attracted by the fame of Borgo Tossignano's tortellini.
Not just food: sport and remembrance
The event is traditionally paired with the Trofeo Valsanterno youth football tournament and moments of remembrance dedicated to figures dear to the community, such as the Poli Giovanni-Cavina Nardo Memorial. The Sports Field thus becomes, for three weeks, the hub of village life: people eat, cheer, and gather around tables that can seat up to two hundred people.
A piece of gastronomic Emilia-Romagna
In a region that has made filled fresh pasta an emblem of its identity, Borgo Tossignano proudly defends its version of tortellini. Participating in the Tortellino Festival means discovering the most authentic Emilia-Romagna, that of small villages where food is still a story, a craft, and an occasion for togetherness.
Tortellino Festival — edition 2026
The thirteenth edition of the Tortellino Festival confirmed the event's success, spread over three weekends in May: May 15-16-17, May 22-23-24, and May 28-29-30-31, 2026, for a total of ten days of celebration.
Handmade Tortellinis
The heart of the festival, as always, were the tortellinis handmade by the arzdore of Borgo Tossignano: about ten quintals of fresh filled pasta, served in broth and with sauce, alongside other Emilia-Romagna specialties. The gastronomic stand at the Sports Field opened for dinner from 6:30 PM, with additional lunches on May 17 and 24, and a special closing at noon on May 31.
The gluten-free novelty
The 2026 edition introduced gluten-free tortellini for the first time, thanks to collaboration with a specialty shop in Casalfiumanese, allowing celiacs to also enjoy the festival's signature dish.
Sport and community
The festival was paired with the 16th Trofeo Valsanterno youth football tournament and memorials dedicated to figures dear to the Borgo Tossignano community.
Programme Tortellino Festival 2026
Festival structure
The 13th edition was held over three weekends, with the gastronomic stand opening at the Borgo Tossignano Sports Field:
- First weekend — May 15, 16, and 17, 2026
- Second weekend — May 22, 23, and 24, 2026
- Third weekend — May 28, 29, 30, and 31, 2026
Hours
- Evening dinners starting at 6:30 PM
- Additional lunches on Saturday, May 17 and Saturday, May 24
- Sunday, May 31: opening only at noon
On the menu
- Handmade tortellinis by the arzdore (in broth and with sauce)
- 2026 novelty: gluten-free tortellinis
- Emilia-Romagna specialties and traditional desserts
Related events
- 16th Trofeo Valsanterno youth football tournament
- 5th Poli Giovanni-Cavina Nardo Memorial
- 1st Gianni Cavulla Memorial
Highlights Tortellino Festival 2026
Prices Tortellino Festival 2026
Practical information — Tortellino Festival
How to get there
Borgo Tossignano is located in the Santerno valley, along the SS610 Montanara Imolese, about 15 km from Imola and 56 km from Bologna. It is easily reachable by car from the Imola motorway exit (A14). The nearest train station is Imola, on the Bologna-Rimini line, from which you can continue by bus or car.
Venue and hours
The festival takes place at the Sports Field in Borgo Tossignano (Largo Gruppo Comitato Folgore 6). The gastronomic stand opens for dinner starting at 6:30 PM; on some days, it is also open for lunch.
Admission and reservations
Free admission. For tables and menu information, it is advisable to contact the organisers at 346 0321940 or consult the official event Facebook page.
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Where does it take place — Tortellino Festival
Campo Sportivo di Borgo Tossignano
Largo Gruppo Comitato Folgore 6, 40021 Borgo Tossignano