Truffle Carnival

Acqualagna's Truffle Carnival

The Truffle Carnival is a one-of-a-kind event held in the historic center of Acqualagna, a small municipality in the Province of Pesaro and Urbino known as the Italian truffle capital. Here, Carnival is not celebrated with the usual allegorical floats, but with a ritual that has no equal in the world: the truffle toss over the crowd gathered in Piazza Enrico Mattei.

An Event Combining Masks and Gastronomy

The event stems from the fusion of two souls of the Marche territory: the popular tradition of Carnival and the food and wine culture linked to the precious Tuber melanosporum, the prized black truffle. The Truffle Carnival actually takes place concurrently with the Regional Fair of the Prized Black Truffle, which enlivens Piazza Mattei with stalls of truffle hunters, local producers, and artisans.

The Day's Program

The festival begins in the morning with the opening of the Truffle Fair in Piazza Mattei, where visitors can discover and purchase fresh truffles, local products, wines, honey, cured meats, and artisanal creations. In the afternoon, the historic center fills with color and cheer:

• Masked parade with folk groups, live music, and dancing through the town's streets;
• Truffle toss in Piazza Mattei, the highlight of the day;
• Toss of candies and confetti for the joy of adults and children;
• Family entertainment with the masked truffle hunt at the Truffle Museum;
• Competition for the best masks, with truffle-based prizes, a sponsored dinner, and participation awards for registered groups.

Prizes and Participation

The competition rewards the most original masked groups with delicious truffle-based prizes. Groups wishing to participate must register by the date indicated by the organization, receiving a participation award and a dinner in return. Admission to the event is free.

Acqualagna, Capital of the Truffle

Set in a charming natural context, along the Metauro valley and a few kilometers from the picturesque Gola del Furlo, Acqualagna celebrates the truffle year-round with numerous fairs. The Truffle Carnival is the most playful event of the calendar, capable of attracting visitors to the Marche eager to experience a truly unique Carnival.