Watermelon Festival

A Summer Festival in the Heart of the Bassa Modenese

As August gets into full swing, San Martino Spino — a hamlet in the Municipality of Mirandola, in the Province of Modena — transforms into the meeting point for the entire plain. The Watermelon Festival is one of those village festivals that tell the soul of Emilia-Romagna: long tables, the aroma of ragù, music until late, and that straightforward conviviality they do better than anyone else here. The common thread is the watermelon, the festival's symbolic fruit, which is offered free to all participants at the end of the evenings.

Where and When

The event takes place at the Palaeventi complex, a covered and air-conditioned venue located on Via Zanzur, near the sports field and the town's middle school. The covered space allows you to enjoy the evenings protected from the heat and any summer storms. The food stalls open every evening at 7:30 PM, with the kitchen active throughout the evening.

Traditional Gastronomy

The heart of the festival is the food stall, where you can taste the typical dishes of the Bassa Modenese: pumpkin tortelloni (with ragù or butter and sage), maccheroni al pettine from the Mirandola valleys, cappellacci di zucca with traditional ragù, polenta with ragù and stracotto, beef tagliata, mixed grill, and the unmissable gnocco fritto. To finish, homemade desserts like salame dolce, zuppa inglese, panna cotta, and ciambella. Reservations are accepted for groups of at least eight people.

Music, Rallies, and Final Show

Every evening, the festival offers musical entertainment and DJ sets, with bands, cover bands, and themed evenings that liven up the dance floor until night. For families, there's a playground and rides for the little ones, while motor enthusiasts can enjoy the rally of Vespas and vintage sports cars. The program also includes painting and photography exhibitions, craft markets, a lottery, and a charity raffle. The grand finale is the pyromusical show that lights up the sky of San Martino Spino on the last night.

Organized by the local associations and volunteer groups, the Watermelon Festival is a free-entry event, designed for all ages: a perfect opportunity to discover the genuine hospitality of the Modenese plain.