Ventricina Festival
Celebrating the Slow Food Presidium cured meat of the Vasto area
About Ventricina Festival
A festival dedicated to the Ventricina of Vasto
The Ventricina Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in the San Michele district of Vasto, located in the heart of the Chieti province in Abruzzo. Organized by the community of the Santa Maria del Sabato Santo Parish, the event dedicates two evenings to one of the most iconic gastronomic products of the region: the Ventricina of Vasto, a noble cured meat recognized as a Slow Food Presidium.
The queen of Abruzzese cured meats
The Ventricina of Vasto is often called the "sausage of celebration and friendship." It is easily recognized by its coarse grind and the vibrant red color provided by dried bell peppers. It is produced using the finest cuts of pork, with a ratio of approximately 70% lean meat to 30% fat, strictly knife-cut to preserve its quality. Sweet and spicy dried peppers, wild fennel, and sometimes pepper are added to the mince. The first historical record of the product dates back to 1880, in Gennaro Finamore's Vocabulary of Abruzzese Usage, testifying to an ancient bond between this territory and its most famous sausage.
What to eat and experience
During the festival, food stalls offer the Ventricina in all its forms: charcuterie boards, sandwiches, bruschetta, and local traditional dishes, often paired with other typical Abruzzese flavors. The atmosphere is that of a convivial neighborhood party, with open-air dining, live music, and entertainment that keeps the evenings lively until late.
- Tastings of the Slow Food Presidium cured meat
- Food stalls featuring traditional Vasto cuisine
- Live music and evening entertainment
- Friendly and convivial atmosphere in the San Michele district
A staple of the Vasto summer calendar
The Ventricina Festival is part of the rich calendar of summer festivals and events in the Municipality of Vasto, alongside other celebrations organized by the same parish community, such as the Potato Festival. For those visiting the Trabocchi Coast and the upper Vasto area, it is an authentic opportunity to discover a product that encapsulates the culture, tradition, and passion of an entire territory.
Ventricina Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 Ventricina Festival returns to Vasto on July 11 and 12 in the San Michele district, with food stalls open from 8:00 PM. The absolute star is the Ventricina of Vasto, the Slow Food Presidium cured meat, offered for tasting alongside traditional Abruzzese dishes. The two evenings, organized by the Santa Maria del Sabato Santo Parish, are enlivened by live music and the usual convivial atmosphere of neighborhood festivals. The detailed program of performances will be released by the organizers in the days leading up to the event.
Prices Ventricina Festival 2026
Practical information — Ventricina Festival
Where
Grounds of the Santa Maria del Sabato Santo Church and Pastoral Center, San Michele district, Vasto (CH).
When
During summer evenings, with stalls opening from 8:00 PM.
How to get there
By car: take the Vasto Nord or Vasto Sud exit on the A14 motorway, then follow signs for the center. By train: Vasto-San Salvo station, connected to the center by local buses.
Admission
Free entry to the festival area; tastings are paid for individually at the stalls.
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Where does it take place — Ventricina Festival
Chiesa e Centro Pastorale Santa Maria del Sabato Santo
Via Sant'Antonio Abate 70, 66054 Vasto