The Canepina Chestnut Days

Chestnut Festival

Video spot of the Canepina Chestnut Days

October 10-11 / 17-18 / 24-25 / 31 and November 1, 2026

Canepina Chestnut Days

For 44 years, the chestnut festival has celebrated the gold of the Cimini mountains.

Among the ancient alleys of the village and the cellars dug into the tuff, every autumn an event comes to life that smells of history and tradition: the Canepina Chestnut Festival.

In the last three weekends of October, the famous Chestnut Festival transforms the town into an open-air theatre, where flag-wavers, musicians, ladies and craftsmen evoke a still-living past with gestures and flavours.

During the Canepina Chestnut Days, The streets come alive with aromas and smiles. In the characteristic, welcoming, decorated cellars, you can enjoy the symbolic dishes of tradition: the famous Maccarone (Canepinese hay) and the traditional Ceciliani, accompanied by good local wine and the sincere hospitality of the community.

Every year thousands of visitors come from all over Italy to participate in the Chestnut Days, a unique experience capable of combining popular culture and conviviality, where each recipe speaks of the land, the hard work and passion of those who live there.

There Canepina Chestnut Festival It's not just a gastronomic event: it's a journey down memory lane, a tribute to our roots, and an invitation to rediscover the authentic taste of Tuscia and the true soul of Canepina.

Poster and program for the Canepina Chestnut Festival

Chestnut Festival Program

Cellar openings, shows in the square, donkey and barrel races, guided tours, and free roasted chestnuts.
Typical Canepina macaroni dish served during the Chestnut Festival

Where to Eat in Canepina's Cantine

The traditional cellars, dug into the tuff rock, welcome thousands of visitors every year and serve traditional Canepina dishes.
Free roasted chestnuts will be served in Piazza Garibaldi, Canepina, every Sunday from 5:00 PM.

Free Roasted Chestnuts in the Square

Every Sunday, starting at 5:00 PM, free roasted chestnuts will be distributed in Piazza Garibaldi.
Free shuttle bus to and from the car parks during Chestnut Days

Parking and Shuttle for Chestnut Days

Cars, campers, or tourist buses can find space in the rest areas in the town, and park conveniently in the industrial area with a free shuttle service.
A jockey and his donkey during the donkey race during the Canepina Chestnut Days.

Canepina Donkey Race

A traditional race of stubborn stops and second thoughts where the important thing is not to arrive first but to arrive.
Two pushers with their barrels challenge each other during the Palio delle Botti at the Canepina Chestnut Festival.

Canepina Barrel Race

A final push relay where the skilled "pushers" must deal with precision and sudden changes of trajectory.
Free shuttle bus to and from the car parks during Chestnut Days

Free shuttle bus, every Sunday from 10:30 am to 8:00 pm

Departure: Industrial Zone parking lot, Cornacchiola. Return: Via Vallerano 150 (Il Pinolo Bar and Trattoria) 

thank you

Activities and experiences not to be missed during the chestnut festival

What to Do and See Every Sunday in Canepina

Every Sunday, Canepina offers a rich program of experiences for visitors of all ages. The village streets are filled with sounds and colors: expert guides will lead you through the hidden corners of the town, the artisan markets and the typical products of Tuscia, while historical parades give new life to the ancient traditions of the Cimini Mountains.

Passeggiate sugli asini nei castagneti a Canepina durante la festa delle Giornate della Castagna.

passeggiate con gli asini

Un passeggiata tra i castagneti di Canepina in compagnia dei nostri amici asini, in collaborazione con l'associazione Asini in Libertà.
Raccolta delle castagne a Canepina durante la festa delle Giornate della Castagna.

visite guidate ai castagneti

Visite guidate ai castagneti di Canepina alla scoperta della natura e del legame antico tra il paese e la castagna.

visite guidate al centro storico

Un giro tra le vie di Canepina, alla scoperta dei luoghi, della storia e delle tradizioni del paese.

Visite Guidate al centro storico

Discover Canepina and its history, exploring hidden corners and incredible views, accompanied by specialized guides, departing from Piazza Garibaldi at 10:00 a.m. every Sunday. Advance booking is recommended for large groups.

Tasting and Sale of Typical Products

The Strada dei sapori (Street of Flavours) awaits you every Sunday with a large display of typical food products, available for tasting and sale, including sweet and savory chestnut-based products, spread across the town's streets.

Cimini Mountains Market Fair

A large market fair, from early morning until 7:00 PM, winds its way from Piazza Garibaldi to Piazzale Primo Maggio, filling the town streets with color. Local chestnuts and marroni from the Cimini Mountains are available for purchase at special stands.

Parades and Historical Reenactments

Historical reenactments, brass bands, and marching bands will parade through the town's streets. We recommend checking the events schedule.

Visit the Museum of Popular Traditions in Canepina

During the Chestnut Days, the Canepina Museum of Popular Traditions will be open both Saturday and Sunday and can be visited free of charge.

Follow updates on our social media channels

E-mail

prolococanepina@gmail.com

Telephone

338 9738968 (Carlo)

Telephone

389 2896961 (David)

frequently asked questions

Useful information about Canepina Chestnut Days

The shuttle bus service for the Canepina Chestnut Days is completely free. It runs every Sunday of the event, from 10:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. It allows you to conveniently leave your car or camper in the large parking lot in the industrial area (Cornacchiola) and reach the historic center. The drop-off and pick-up point is located at Via Vallerano 150 (at the Bar Trattoria Il Pinolo).

Yes, the distribution of roasted chestnuts is completely free. It's one of the most important traditions of the Canepina Chestnut Festival. It's held every Sunday afternoon, starting at 5:00 PM, at the Pro Loco stand in Piazza Garibaldi, where the chestnuts are roasted in traditional pans over the fire and offered to all visitors.

Guided tours of the historic center of Canepina are free and depart every Sunday morning at 10:00 am from Piazza Garibaldi. Expert guides accompany visitors as they discover the monuments, ancient views, and history of the village. Individual visitors simply need to meet at the starting point; for large groups, advance reservations are recommended by calling the Pro Loco.

For the Chestnut Festival, it is advisable to use the main parking area set up in the industrial area (Cornacchiola). The parking lot is ideal for both cars and campers and is directly connected to the town center by a free, continuous shuttle bus. Alternatively, secondary parking areas are available along the access roads to the village. You can consult the parking areas for cars and campers located throughout the town, in this page.

To eat in the typical cellars dug into the tuff rock, you must contact the individual winery directly by phone or WhatsApp. The wineries are independently managed by local associations. A complete list of all the wineries open during Chestnut Days is available on the dedicated website page, complete with menus and direct contact information for reserving a table. You can consult the list of wineries and their phone numbers or WhatsApp for reservations. this page.

The price of the set menu in the typical cellars of Canepina is €26 per person. The complete menu includes a mixed local appetizer, two traditional first courses (the famous Maccaroni / Fieno canepinese and Ceciliani), a typical house second course, local wine, traditional desserts and the inevitable roasted chestnuts.