6 Great Summer Festivals In Veneto Italy This Month

The Italian sagra is a gem of summertime. These festivals usually feature a particular tradition of food or drink and include live music and dancing late into the night. Each has its own flavor—they’re not at all glamorous, and they don’t attract tourists because they’re made by and for local families and friends. It’s a truly authentic way to experience a town, to escape the hot city centers and, most importantly, to feast on some delicious local food.

Festa della Trasfigurazione at Veternigo

Also called the Sagra del Capusso, or sagra of the cruel, this festival runs August 3-9. You’ll find a week of fun cover bands, such as the Coldplay cover band Goldrush, all playing popular music, as well as Italian classics. It’s sure to be a lot of fun, with loads of food options, beer on tap and plenty of gelato.

Festa della Transfigurazione, Via Desman, 22, Veternigo, Italy

Festa del Pesce at Maerne di Martellago

This little town, reachable by train or car, will host Festa Del Pesce August 4-20, which is basically 17 great days of seafood. Taste all the amazing traditional Venetian recipes that have been handed down for generations, such as sarde in saor, sardines cooked slowly with onions, pine nuts, and raisins, or spaghetti in nero di seppia, a pasta dish blackened with squid ink. Eat, drink, and dance to live music. https://www.instagram.com/p/BXVnqb6gan0/

Sagra di San Lorenzo at Pescantina

This little town hidden away in Valpolicella wine country has a has a sagra with a truly traditional flair. Sagra di San Lorenzo features everything from live music to a photographic exhibition called Camera Project Expo 2.0 to a rally of antique tractors. Don’t miss tango night or the peach fair.

Sagra di San Lorenzo, Pescatina, Veneto, Italy

Sagra e Festa della Birra at Castelvero

Lovers of good beer, Sagra e Festa della Birra is the place for you! August 11-15, visitors can enjoy a wonderful selection of local beers and great food to go with them. The late-night entertainment is sure to be fun and dance-heavy. https://www.instagram.com/p/BILE-bvgdlU/

Festa del Ciclamino at Fontanelle di Conco

In this little village on the plateau of Asiago, home to the eponymous cheese, as well as incredible pine forests and gorgeous mountains, you’ll find Festa del Ciclamino, August 12-15. This festival features a variety of music, exhibitions and performances. Take a helicopter ride on the last day of the festival, and don’t miss the delicious porchetta, a big hunk of pork baked with aromatics in a wood-fire oven and thinly sliced.

Festa del Ciclamino Fontanelle di Conco, Asiago Plateau, Italy

Festa del Pesce at Torri di Arcugnano

Just like at Maerne di Martellago, at Festa del Pesce at Torri di Arcugnano, you’ll find a veritable feast of Venetian seafood classics each night. From heaps of fried calamari and shrimp to creamy baccalà alla vicentina, you’ll be sure to walk away stuffed to bursting and very happy.

Festa del Pesce, Torri di Arcugnano, Italy