Did You Know About Italy's Ancient Olive Harvest Festival?

For those who love olive oil—the real, peppery, freshly pressed kind—autumn in Italy is a season of quiet magic. As the harvest begins, towns and villages come alive with traditions rooted deep in their soil.Italy hosts a series of ancient olive harvest festivals, collectively known as Festa dell'Olio Nuovo, celebrating the annual gathering of olives and the arrival of fresh, new-season oil. Held from late October to mid-November, these events feature olive oil tastings, guided tours of traditional mills, regional food and lively music. Among the most notable are the Sagra dell’Olivo in Canino—considered the oldest olive oil festival in the country—and the Olio Olivia Festival in Imperia, both drawing visitors eager to experience Italy’s deep-rooted olive-growing traditions.Honouring The First Press Festa dell’Olio Nuovo marks the arrival of the season’s “new oil,” pressed from freshly harvested olives, and is typically celebrated from late October to mid-November. Across Italy—especially in regions like Tuscany and Umbria—towns host their own versions of the festival, inviting visitors to taste and purchase the just-produced extra virgin olive oil. Alongside the oil come local dishes, music and lively markets, creating an atmosphere that highlights the deep ties between food, family and rural tradition.What To ExpectAt the heart of the Festa dell’Olio Nuovo is the tasting of the season’s first-pressed extra virgin olive oil. This fresh, peppery olio nuovo is often served simply on bruschetta or local bread, allowing its vibrant flavour to shine. Markets fill the streets with stalls selling regional produce, from newly bottled olive oil to cheeses, wines, jams and cured meats. Traditional Tuscan and regional dishes are widely available, many finished with a generous drizzle of the new oil.Food, Culture, And TraditionBeyond the tastings, visitors can join guided tours of olive groves and historic mills, some still using traditional stone presses, to learn about the production process. Festivals also celebrate local culture through folk music, performances and community gatherings in the main piazzas. Together, these elements create a warm, communal atmosphere that honours centuries of olive-growing heritage and the deep bond between food, landscape and rural life. Walking among olive groves is part of the New Olive Oil Festival programme and celebrates the profound connection between landscape, community, and tradition.The Must-Visit Olive Oil FestivalsItaly’s major olive-growing regions come alive each autumn with festivals celebrating the arrival of new-season olive oil. In the Lazio town of Canino, the Sagra dell’Olivo—dating back to 1939 and regarded as Italy’s oldest olive oil festival—honours the famed Canino DOP extra virgin oil. Along the Ligurian coast, the Olio Olivia Festival in Imperia transforms the port into a vibrant hub of tastings and regional produce. Umbria, known as the “green heart of Italy,” also hosts its own Festa dell’Olio Nuovo, reflecting the region’s deep-rooted olive-growing heritage.These celebrations take place across the country, from Tuscan towns such as Pergine Valdarno and San Quirico d'Orcia to countless villages with their own unique traditions. The festivals coincide with the olive harvest season, typically running from late October to mid-November. Dates vary by location, so visitors are encouraged to check local schedules when planning their trip.When The Festivals Take PlaceFesta dell’Olio Nuovo unfolds during Italy’s olive harvest season, generally from late October through November, with each town setting its own dates. In 2025, Pergine Valdarno in Tuscany will celebrate on November 8–9, while nearby Castiglion Fiorentino hosts its festival on November 22–23. In Umbria, Tuoro sul Trasimeno welcomes visitors from November 7–9. These events form part of a wider national tradition, with celebrations held across regions such as Tuscany and Umbria throughout the harvest period.Planning Your VisitFestival activities typically include tastings of freshly pressed olio nuovo, guided tours of olive mills, markets filled with regional products and a range of traditional dishes. With events spread across multiple towns, it is often best to select one or two locations to explore in depth rather than attempting to see everything. This allows visitors to fully enjoy the atmosphere, flavours and cultural heritage that define Italy’s olive oil season.Oleotourism: Experiencing Olive Oil FirsthandSince 2022, Italy has officially recognised oleoturismo, or olive oil tourism, as a legal and regulated activity. Farms and mills, known as frantoi, can now offer structured experiences such as guided tours, tastings, cooking lessons, and even hands-on participation in the harvest, all under established safety and hygiene standards.This legislation has transformed the casual “visit a mill” idea into a fully organised activity. Visitors can pick olives, observe the pressing process, and sample freshly milled oil with the assurance that the experience is certified and insured. Regions like Tuscany, Umbria, and Liguria have developed local networks connecting frantoi, agriturismi, and small cooperatives, making it easier for travellers to explore Italy’s rich olive-growing heritage while engaging directly with the production process.FAQsWhat is the Grande Festa dell’Olio Nuovo?It is an Italian festival celebrating the season’s first-pressed olive oil, showcasing local culinary traditions, craft markets, and cultural events.When and where does it take place?The festival is held in early November across various towns, including Pergine Valdarno in Tuscany. Dates can vary by location, so checking local schedules is recommended.What activities are available for visitors?Visitors can enjoy olive oil tastings, sample regional foods, browse craft markets, attend cooking demonstrations, watch concerts, and take guided tours of olive groves and mills.Who can participate in the festival?The festival is open to all, from food enthusiasts and families to travellers interested in Italian culture, agriculture, and gastronomy.Why is the festival significant?It celebrates Italy’s agricultural heritage, the culinary and cultural importance of olive oil, and provides a hands-on experience of local traditions and seasonal practices.Celebrate Local Foods And Cultures At The Nilgiri Earth Festival

Did You Know About Italy's Ancient Olive Harvest Festival?

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