Villimpenta Risotto Festival
Three weekends dedicated to the Villimpenta-style risotto in the Capital of Rice
About Risotto Festival
The great risotto festival of the Bassa Mantovana
The Villimpenta Risotto Festival is one of the most important and oldest gastronomic events in the Province of Mantua. Organized by the Villimpenta Events Committee, it takes place at the Campo Fiera in the Municipality of Villimpenta, on the border with the Verona area, and for a few weeks it makes this town in the Bassa the "Capital of Rice".
Villimpenta-style risotto
The signature dish is the Villimpenta-style risotto, a local traditional recipe served in the festival's large food stands. Alongside the classic, each evening offers different variations: risotto with pork ribs, risotto with 'pisto' (a local sausage) and mushrooms, mushroom risotto, risotto with 'pesin' (small lake fish) and, on the last weekend, the characteristic catfish risotto. A section of the menu is also dedicated to Salento flavors, thanks to a twinning with Martano, in the province of Lecce.
An imposing structure
What makes the event unique is its size: a covered structure of 2,700 square meters with 2,200 seats and a show area of about 1,600 seats. Every evening the kitchen works at full speed while the stage hosts orchestras, DJ sets, and tribute bands with free admission. The funfair, stalls, and entertainment complete the festival, in a popular festive atmosphere that has been attracting visitors from all over the Po Valley for decades, from Mantua to Verona.
Risotto Festival — edition 2026
The 78th edition of the Villimpenta Risotto Festival takes place from May 29 to June 14, 2026, at the Campo Fiera, over three long weekends. In the 2,700 sqm covered structure, with 2,200 seats, the Villimpenta-style risotto and its variations are served (with pork ribs, 'pisto' and mushrooms, with mushrooms, with 'pesin', and on the last weekend, with catfish). During the second weekend, there will also be Salento specialties thanks to the twinning with Martano (LE): orecchiette, pittule, and pasticciotto.
Every evening, the show area features free admission live music, including dance orchestras, DJ sets, and tribute bands. The funfair, stalls, and traditional Mantuan desserts complete the festival.
Programme Risotto Festival 2026
First weekend
- Friday, May 29 — Emilia Rock (covers of Vasco Rossi, Zucchero, Ligabue)
- Saturday, May 30 — Celebration 54 (80s music)
- Sunday, May 31 — Latin American evening
- Monday, June 1 — DJ Verbeni (80s/90s music)
- Tuesday, June 2 — Orchestra Mirko Bellutti and Rodella
Second weekend (with Salento specialties)
- Thursday, June 4 — Orchestra Rossella Ferrari
- Friday, June 5 — DJ Yano music machine
- Saturday, June 6 — Ali Nere (Nomadi tribute)
- Sunday, June 7 — Orchestra Marco e i Niagara
Third weekend (catfish risotto)
- Thursday, June 11 — Orchestra I Rodigini
- Friday, June 12 — Festivallbeer
- Saturday, June 13 — DJ Ramon (90s/2000s music)
- Sunday, June 14 — D'Animos Band
Menu: Villimpenta-style risotto, with pork ribs, 'pisto' and mushrooms, with mushrooms, with 'pesin', and (third weekend) with boneless catfish; during the second weekend, Salento orecchiette, pittule, and pasticciotto. Main courses, grilled meats, side dishes, regional wines (Lugana, Custoza), and traditional Mantuan desserts.
Highlights Risotto Festival 2026
Prices Risotto Festival 2026
Practical information — Risotto Festival
Where
Campo Fiera, Villimpenta (MN), in the Bassa Mantovana on the border with the province of Verona.
How to get there
Villimpenta is reachable by car from the SS10 Padana Inferiore; it is about 30 km from both Mantua and Verona. Ample parking is available near the Campo Fiera.
Hours and admission
Food stands are open every evening; all musical shows have free admission. The venue is covered and operates even in case of bad weather.
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Where does it take place — Risotto Festival
Campo Fiera
Campo Fiera, 46039 Villimpenta