Eurochocolate returns for its 32nd edition under the theme Fate Dolci, a playful nod to fairies, sweet-making and the more hands-on side of chocolate.
For ten days, Perugia’s medieval centre will fill with chocolate stalls, demonstrations, tastings and street entertainment, while the city’s Città del Cioccolato experiential museum joins in.
When is Eurochocolate 2026?
Eurochocolate 2026 takes place from Friday 13 to Sunday 22 November 2026 in Perugia.
The Eurochocolate 2026 programme is set to include creative activities, live demonstrations, music and roaming shows inspired by the festival’s fairytale theme.
Where is Eurochocolate in Perugia?
Eurochocolate takes over Perugia’s historic centre, with the main activity concentrated around Corso Vannucci, Piazza Matteotti, Via Mazzini and the surrounding lanes and squares.
This is the upper part of the city, where many of Perugia’s big-hitting sights sit close together: Palazzo dei Priori, the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria, Piazza IV Novembre and the medieval Fontana Maggiore.
It is a hilly city, though public escalators and the Minimetrò make life considerably easier after a few too many samples of dark chocolate.
Eurochocolate 2026 programme highlights
The official programme is still being rolled out, but the early announcements point to a broader festival than a simple chocolate market.
Spazio Fate Dolci
Piazza Matteotti will host Spazio Fate Dolci, centred on new products by Costruttori di Dolcezze. Among the more curious releases are retro-style bottled cake mixes for home baking, with recipes for biscuits, muffins and plum cakes.
Other new festival products include a magic-wand-shaped lolly featuring dark, milk and white chocolate stars, plus the CioccolaTau bar.
Chocolate Show and Eurochocolate World
The Chocolate Show remains the centrepiece: an open-air collection of established Italian makers and smaller chocolate producers spread through the city centre.
Alongside it, Eurochocolate World will bring together bean-to-bar and tree-to-bar producers from more than 20 cocoa-growing countries across Latin America, Africa and Asia.
The 2026 programme also introduces Eurochocolate Free From, dedicated to sugar-free, lactose-free, gluten-free and vegan products.
Tastings and chocolate workshops
Daily ChocoLab sessions will return at LAB-Luisa Annibale Base on Via Angusta. Expect guided tastings, unusual flavour pairings with wine, liqueurs and regional food, plus talks led by Italian and international cocoa specialists.
For families, Fate Lab at the former Commodity Exchange on Via Mazzini will run practical activities where children can make festival-themed chocolate items.
Street entertainment around the historic centre
The fairytale theme will carry into the streets through the Choco Buskers, Chocoparade and Chocolieri programme. Travelling performances, music and aerial displays are planned across the old town, adding a bit of theatre between the stalls.
Città del Cioccolato: the chocolate museum in Perugia
A Eurochocolate visit now pairs naturally with Città del Cioccolato, Perugia’s immersive chocolate museum inside the former covered market. It is described by the organisers as Italy’s largest experiential museum devoted to cocoa and chocolate.
Tickets and opening hours
Entry to Eurochocolate is generally free, since many stands and activities take place in public streets and squares.
There may be charges or advance reservations for guided tastings, specialist workshops, courses and museum entry. Opening hours also vary by stand and event, with longer trading hours usually expected over the weekend.
Where to stay in Perugia during Eurochocolate
Staying in or close to Perugia’s historic centre keeps the festival within walking distance and avoids dealing with the ZTL after dark. The trade-off is that accommodation can book up early and the steep streets are not everyone’s cup of tea with luggage.
- Borgo XX Giugno is handy for the old town while feeling slightly less hectic.
- Fontivegge, near the train station, works well for rail travellers and is useful for the Università dei Sapori activities.
- Pian di Massiano suits visitors arriving by car, thanks to the Minimetrò connection into Pincetto.
For a longer stay or a base beyond the festival weekend, holiday rentals in Perugia can be practical around the station, Borgo XX Giugno and the lower city.
Why visit Perugia in November?
Perugia is often treated as a stopover between Florence and Rome, which does it a slight disservice. Its compact upper town has Etruscan remains, medieval civic buildings, a proper university-city rhythm and a food scene that goes well beyond chocolate.
Eurochocolate gives a good excuse to explore Rocca Paolina, the fortress-and-escalator route beneath the city, wander the old lanes around Via dei Priori, and spend time in the Galleria Nazionale dell’Umbria.
November can be chilly and wet, so comfortable shoes and an extra layer are more useful than trying to dress for an outdoor festival as if it were early autumn.
For anyone considering a longer stay, Perugia is also comparatively affordable beside Italy’s larger cultural cities.
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