Bologna is a wonderful city all year round, but it’s during the Autumn months that some of the best chances to experience the city make their appearance. If you’re staying in Bologna or nearby for your holidays, keep an eye out for these fairs and local events: they’re the perfect occasion to taste traditional meals and local produce cooked and served in many different ways.

Cioccoshow 2016

At the heart of Bologna, in the Piazza Maggiore, is the most important fair of artisanal chocolate in Italy. With free entrance for all, it’s a great chance to taste traditional and innovative chocolate preparations made for all tastes and in a variety of ways that are sure to amaze and entice anyone!
From the 16th to the 20th of November, you’ll have the chance to experience Italian chocolate in all of its forms, shapes and tastes.
Festa di San Martino in Casalecchio di Reno
In Casalecchio di Reno, from the 8th to the 11th of November, the holiday celebrating the 1700th anniversary of the birth of the Patron Saint of the city will take place: celebrations, exhibitions and musical performances to honor the religious figure will be the main events, but the Festa di San Martino will bring together other activities that are typical of local, traditional fairs, such as the presence of an open-air market with food stands, antiquities and art. Don’t forget about the many activities and games for kids and remember that many local restaurants will have special menus tailored on the ongoing celebrations.
Festa di San Martino in Anzola dell’Emilia and Fair of Wine Must
Saint Martin is also celebrated on the 11th of November in Anzola dell’Emilia, were you’ll find on the streets of the city several food stands that will offer local dishes and snacks (such as polenta, crescentine and tigelle, Italian-style spit-roasted pork) as well as a presentation of the traditional methods employed to mash grapes for the production of wine and must, the main ingredient for the traditional desserts known as “sughi d’uva” made with boiled must of grapes.

Sagra del Bollito of San Pietro in Casale

This fair will showcase one of the staples of local cuisine: the bollito, a dish made of boiled meat prepared in a way that enhances the taste of the cuts of beef and pork used, celebrating the sublime local meat of the area, and the classical preparation brought forth through generations. This festival takes place from the 10th of November to the 13th and from the 17th to the 20th in San Pietro in Casale and you’ll be able to taste wonderful “bolliti” and other local dished of the Emilian tradition.
L’Antico Castello (the Ancient Castle): to the discovery of tastes and culture
This is the name of a fair, lasting from the 11th to the 13th of November, that will take place in Castel S. Pietro Terme and the surrounding area, showcasing local tastes, dishes, wines and traditions dating back to the Middle Ages. Cultural events will also take place, to create a traditional and historical atmosphere.

Fair of Taste in Crevalcore

On the historical city center of Crevalcore, on the 19th and 20th of November a weekend of festivities will take place. Showcasing local and traditional dishes, produce and tastes this Thanksgiving event will bring together products that are typical of the Autumn months, cooked on the spot at the many food stands that line the streets of the city. The open-air market will also feature shops with knick-knacks, baubles and antiquities, street performers and music events. You will also be able to purchase local, biological produce from the farmers of the area that will display and present their products.

“Baccanale” Imola’s festival of food and tastes

From the 5th to the 27th of November, in the historical center of Imola, a food and wine fair will take place to amaze and mesmerize all who come to enjoy local and typical dishes and produce. The official name of this year’s Baccanale is “Grains and flours”, and will celebrate the cultural and gastronomic importance and relevance of rice, grains and beans.

Tartufesta 2016: The Appennines celebrate truffles

Truffles are the most sought after and refined produce of the Autumn season, and on Saturdays and Sundays from the 5th to the 20th of November you’ll find this wonderful food celebrated on several cities of the Appennines: Lizzano, Vergato, Monzuno, San Benedetto Val di Sambro, Pianoro, Castel di Casio, Castiglione dei Pepoli, Sasso Marconi, Loiano, Grizzana Morandi, Monghidoro, Camugnano and lastly Savigno. This will be the 33rd edition of the International Festival of the White Truffle of Savigno, and for the occasion a shuttle bus will depart from Bologna on the 13th and 20th of November at 10:30 AM (returning to the city at 7 PM) that will bring you to Savigno to visit the truffle growing grounds (info: Bologna Welcome).