Tortellone Festival
Ten days of hand-rolled tortelloni in the heart of Ozzano dell'Emilia
About Tortellone Festival
The Tortellone Festival of Ozzano
In the heart of summer, the Municipality of Ozzano dell'Emilia, in the Province of Bologna and at the foot of the Gessi Bolognesi and Calanchi dell'Abbadessa Regional Park, gathers around the parish church of San Cristoforo for one of its most cherished traditions: the Tortellone Festival. Established in the 1980s, the event is now an unmissable fixture on the Emilian gastronomic calendar and a village festival that draws visitors from all over the Bolognese plain.
The Tortellone, the Absolute Star
The true star is the tortellone, strictly hand-rolled by the sfogline ozzanesi (pasta makers from Ozzano) according to the traditional Bolognese recipe. The thin, yellow pasta dough encloses a filling of ricotta, which is then served in three classic ways: with Bolognese ragù, with butter and tomato, or with butter and sage. It's a tribute to home-style Emilian cuisine, the kind passed down through generations, which comes to life here before the visitors' eyes.
Not Just Tortelloni
Alongside the signature dish, the food stalls offer other specialties from the Bolognese tradition:
- Crescentine and piadine from the freely accessible stall, no reservation needed
- Artisanal gelato
- The festival restaurant, where you can enjoy tortelloni in its various versions
- Bars and refreshment points to accompany your evenings
Music, Entertainment, and Charity
Every evening, the festival comes alive with live music performances—orchestras, local bands, and cover bands—providing the soundtrack to the outdoor dinners. There are also charity raffles and a lottery, managed by local volunteer associations, with proceeds supporting community activities.
The Feast of the Patron Saint San Cristoforo
The festival is closely linked to the feast of the patron saint San Cristoforo, which concludes the celebrations on July 25th with a solemn mass, the traditional blessing of cars (San Cristoforo is the patron saint of travelers and motorists), and a spectacular fireworks display. It's the most anticipated moment, uniting the religious and popular dimensions in one grand community celebration.
Tortellone Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Tortellone Festival will be held in Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO) from July 15 to 24, 2026, at the small square of the San Cristoforo parish church, Via San Cristoforo 11. As tradition dictates, the heart of the festival is the ricotta tortelloni, hand-rolled by pasta makers, served with Bolognese ragù, butter and tomato, or butter and sage, alongside stalls offering crescentine, piadine, and artisanal gelato.
Every evening features live music performances, while the charity raffle and lottery animate the event, supporting community activities. On July 25th, the feast of the patron saint San Cristoforo is celebrated with a solemn mass, the blessing of cars, and a final fireworks display.
Programme Tortellone Festival 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition, including the evening schedule for musical performances, will be announced by the organizers in the weeks leading up to the event. The usual structure of the festival includes:
- July 15-24 — Food stalls open every evening from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM: restaurant serving tortelloni in three classic versions, freely accessible crescentine and piadine stall, artisanal gelato shop, and bar.
- Every evening — Live music entertainment (orchestras, local bands, and cover bands) in the evenings.
- Throughout the event — Charity raffle and lottery organized by volunteer associations.
- July 25 — Feast of the patron saint San Cristoforo: solemn mass, blessing of cars, and closing fireworks display.
For the complete concert schedule, it is advisable to consult the official channels of the Municipality of Ozzano dell'Emilia and the Pro Loco Ozzano.
Highlights Tortellone Festival 2026
- Ricotta tortelloni hand-rolled by Ozzano pasta makers
- Crescentine, piadine, and artisanal gelato stalls
- Live music performances every evening
- Closing on July 25th with car blessing and fireworks for San Cristoforo
Prices Tortellone Festival 2026
Practical information — Tortellone Festival
Where
Piazzetta of the San Cristoforo parish church, Via San Cristoforo 11, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia (BO), in the first hilly area east of Bologna.
How to get there
By car: from the A14 motorway, take the Bologna San Lazzaro exit, then follow the SS9 Via Emilia towards Imola until Ozzano. By train: Ozzano dell'Emilia station on the Bologna-Rimini line, a few minutes' walk from the center.
Opening Hours
Food stalls generally open from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM; live music entertainment in the evenings. The festival runs throughout the scheduled dates, concluding on July 25th for the patronal feast.
Admission
Free admission. You only pay for what you consume at the stalls.
Contacts
Pro Loco Ozzano: [email protected] — Municipality of Ozzano dell'Emilia: tel. +39 051 791333.
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Where does it take place — Tortellone Festival
Piazzetta della Parrocchia di San Cristoforo
Via San Cristoforo, 11, 40064 Ozzano dell'Emilia