It’s that time of the year when our minds turn to alfresco dining. The Tuscan sagra is the quintessential fuori porta dining experience: great home cooking served in sturdy tents at reasonable prices. Here’s our guide to the very best of Tuscany’s food festivals.
Sagra della Lumaca / Snail Festival
Fossa del Lupo, Camucia, near Cortona
May 28–June 5
Start the season the right way with snails, music and fun at the foot of Cortona.
Sagra della Pastasciutta / Pasta Festival
Fratta, near Cortona
June 10–19
Gnocchi, pici and tagliatelle in all sauces, all made by local ladies.
Sagra delle Sagre / The Best of the Casentino
Bibbiena, Casentino
June 25–26
Potato tortelli, ribollita, mushrooms and truffles are washed down with great wine at this Casentino gem.
Sagra della Fragola / Strawberry Festival
Marsiliana, Maremma
May 26–29
The whole of the local area turns out for the Maremma’s biggest sagra.
Sagra delle Ciliegie / Cherry Festival
Lari, near Pisa
May 28–June 5
Now in its 60th year, this festival celebrates the local Lari cherry in its 19 varieties.
Sagra della Bistecca / Steak Festival
Casalguidi, Serravalle Pistoiese
June 1–12
Sink your teeth into a juicy T-bone at this festival with live music.
Thanks to The Tuscan Times correspondents Elisa Scarton (Maremma), Oonagh Stransky (Cortona and Arezzo) and Carolyn Travers (Pescia) for their top sagra tips.