At the start of autumn, Italy prepares for the grape harvest. In this setting, grape and wine sagre — local food and wine festivals — are far more than simple village celebrations. They reflect centuries of winemaking tradition, celebrate the identity of each area and give visitors a taste of local food, music and popular culture.
Here are the grape harvest festivals taking place in Italy in 2026.
Sagra dell’Uva, Marino
Marino’s Sagra dell’Uva is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most iconic harvest festivals, and in 2026 it celebrates its 102nd edition. The 2026 event runs over two weekends: 26 and 27 September, followed by 3, 4 and 5 October, with the main day falling on Sunday 4 October. That is when the most eagerly anticipated events take place, beginning with the legendary Miracolo delle Fontane.
The Fontana dei Quattro Mori in Piazza Matteotti stops flowing with water and begins pouring Marino DOC white wine, cheered on by thousands of visitors carrying glasses and bottles.
The historic procession also recreates the victorious Battle of Lepanto in 1571, in which Marino native Marcantonio Colonna took part. Performers in Renaissance costume parade through the town’s streets with music and flags, while the squares host concerts, children’s entertainment and cultural events.
Festa dell’Uva, Merano
In the heart of Alto Adige, where mountains frame neatly kept vineyards, Merano’s Festa dell’Uva marks a historic anniversary in 2026: 140 uninterrupted editions. The dates to note are 16, 17 and 18 October 2026, the traditional third weekend of October.
Friday’s opening evening features a special concert by the Burgraviato Wind Orchestra. The programme continues on Saturday and Sunday with stalls selling local products, autumn dishes combining northern and southern influences, and acclaimed Burgraviato wines.
The most spectacular moment remains the grand Sunday parade. Decorated floats carrying arrangements of apples, autumn flowers and grape bunches travel from Porta Venosta, along Via delle Corse, Corso Libertà and the Kurhaus Promenade, before reaching Piazza Teatro. Vintage tractors and Haflinger horses accompany them along the route.
Festa dell’Uva e del Vino, Bardolino
On the eastern shore of Lake Garda, around 25 kilometres from Verona, Bardolino is preparing to host the 95th edition of its long-running Festa dell’Uva e del Vino.
Between 1 and 5 October 2026, the lakeside promenade and historic centre become a large-scale celebration of Bardolino wine, a bright ruby-red wine among Veneto’s regional classics.
The programme is packed across five days.
- Thursday begins with food and wine stalls along the lakeside and the official opening at Villa Terzi.
- Friday and Saturday feature guided walks through vineyards and olive groves, the Manualmente Arte creative craft market, displays about local traditions and a display of vintage Landini tractors, which hold a special place in Bardolino’s agricultural history.
On Sunday 4 October, the day opens with a procession by the Sbandieratori Isabella d’Este flag-wavers from Cavriana. Historical groups and costumed performers follow, with the traditional grape pressing at Parco Carrara Bottagisio at 12:30 pm marking the day’s high point. Locally, it is known as Come se fasèa el vin, meaning “how wine used to be made”.
Sagra dell’Uva e del Vino, Donnici
The 44th Sagra dell’Uva e del Vino in Donnici brings a major change in 2026. It doubles in length, growing from three to six days, while the programme also involves central Cosenza for the first time.
6 to 8 October sees three evenings of Aspettando Donnici — “Waiting for Donnici” — in the provincial capital, with promotional initiatives, tastings and cultural events designed to lead up to the main festival.
Between 9 and 11 October, attention shifts to Donnici’s old town, a district of Cosenza, where squares, lanes and streets fill with food and wine stalls, music and shared celebrations.
Donnici is home to Terre di Cosenza DOP, one of Calabria’s leading wines. Another important development for 2026 is Cosenza’s official entry into the national Città del Vino network, formalised with an institutional ceremony on the opening day.
Festa dell’Uva e del Vino, Capriano del Colle
On the Brescia plain, where an island of clay rises from the surrounding land and produces wines with a distinctive character, Capriano del Colle hosts the 47th Festa dell’Uva e del Vino. It runs between Thursday 1 October and Sunday 4 October 2026.
Organised by the Comune — the local council — alongside the Consorzio Vini del Monte Netto and a close-knit network of local associations, the festival has a programme for all ages. Expect food stalls, a market of local products, a historic parade with themed floats, live music, DJ sets, wine talks and activities for children and families.
End-of-harvest festival in Castagnole delle Lanze
Between the Langhe and Monferrato, in the heart of Asti province, Castagnole delle Lanze marks the end of the 2026 grape harvest with an event that stands apart: BÈIVE, the end-of-harvest festival. It takes place on Friday 2 October 2026, from 6 pm, in the historic centre of the Piedmontese town.
The name comes from the Piedmontese dialect and is a clear invitation to drink, but above all to share. BÈIVE was created with the aim of becoming a regular fixture in the autumn calendar, bringing energy to the town, recognising the work of local producers and turning the end of the harvest into a collective celebration.
Entry to BÈIVE is free. For anyone keen to spend more time exploring Piedmont’s food and wine scene, Castagnole delle Lanze is also well placed, within easy reach of Alba, Asti and the UNESCO-listed Langhe.
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