01 Dec 2021
Italy's off-the-beaten-track gem, Emilia Romagna, is excited to bring back an events calendar next year filled with of variety of in-person unique experiences. 2022 will see an array of culinary affairs from Massimo Bottura's iconic Al Meni to key sports events - Formula 1, Motor Valley Fest and Giro d'Italia - along with embracing the regions cultural and music festival scene with the return of Verdi Festival and the Ravenna Festival.
In addition to hosting an array of vibrant events - from exhibitions, concerts and food fairs to festivals and sports events throughout the year, Emilia Romagna boasts an abundance of landscapes, rich history, superb gastronomical and cultural experiences, enabling all to discover, admire and enjoy next year.
Known for its remarkable charm, beauty and welcoming ambience, Emilia Romagna is the ideal 'slow travel' or weekend getaway destination to explore some lesser-known parts of Italy.
The top ten of the foodie and cultural events which are set to place in Emilia Romagna in 2022 include:
Events to eat your way around Emilia Romagna
Al Meni Street Food Festival (Rimini)
2022 date to be announced
Located in the popular family-friendly beach resort, Rimini, and home to the recently opened Federico Fellini International Museum, Al Meni Street Food Festival is the brainchild of Italian restaurateur and the chef patron of three-Michelin-star Osteria Francescana, Massimo Bottura. With a date for next year yet to be announced, Al Meni is an awe-inspiring affair dedicated to the region's iconic food - from star-studded show cooking, high-quality street food and markets showcasing the excellent products of the area, craftsmanship and creativity. https://www.almeni.it/
FOOD Festivals (Several locations in Parma, Piacenza and Reggio Emilia)
2022 date to be announced
Festival del Prosciutto di Parma is a famous annual celebration of all things Parma ham. Parma is not only Italy's Capital of Culture 2021 and UNESCO creative city for Gastronomy but it has recently been ranked as the country's best city for 'top quality of life' by Italian newspaper, Italia Oggi. Festival del Prosciutto di Parma invites guests to taste 1,000 types of ham with a series of tastings, hand-cut exhibitions and a chance to learn about the produce in numerous ham factory tours on offer. Emilia Romagna is renowned as the 'Food Valley' due it's world-class culinary traditions, another key highlight is Reggio Emilia's Caseifici Aperti, in which several dairies open enabling visitors to absorb, see and taste the famed cheese wheel of Parmigiano-Reggiano's production.
Grape and Lambrusco Grasparossa Wine Festival (Castelvetro, Modena)
September 2022
Usually taking place during the last two weekends of September, Grape and Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro Wine Festival celebrates the most important iconic local wine, Lambrusco Grasparossa di Castelvetro POD. Castelvetro's historic streets come alive with an array of wine tastings, live music, art exhibitions, the traditional parade of 'Carri di Bacco' and a chance for visitors to learn and taste the regions iconic product.
https://www.visitcastelvetro.it/en/taste/
Tartufesta / White Truffle National Trade Fair (Bologna, Rimini)
October – November 2022
The famous 'white truffle' is iconic in Emilia Romagna, especially between October and November with two key events which embrace the gastronomy traditions: White Truffle National Trade Fair held in Sant'Agata Feltria (Rimini) and surrounding the hills of Bologna, the beloved Tartufesta event. Although the 2022 schedules are yet to be defined, an array of indulging experiences including street markets, tasting and cultural exhibitions, food stands and truffle dog competitions, are all set to take place to celebrate the rich aromas and flavours of the white truffle and other local products including mushrooms and chestnuts.
Sport and cultural events to explore around Emilia Romagna
Primavera Slow (Ferrara Area)
March - June 2022
Situated in the largest wetland in Europe, Po Delta Park will host a series of events over 14 weeks dedicated to bird watching and nature, wildlife photography, cycling, river, food and wine, traditions and culture, environmental education and sports tourism. The International Birdwatching Fair of Comacchio is an unmissable event for all birdwatchers, nature photographers and lovers of slow and nature tourism, ecotourism and green tourism, allowing visitors to truly immerse outdoors in Emilia Romagna's unbelievable scenery.
Formula 1 Grand Prix (Imola)
21 - 24 April 2022
Next year the legendary international auto racing, Formula 1, is set to take place at the historic Autodromo Imola. Renowned as an integral date in the automotive calendar, visitors will be able to see the cars and drivers in action and stay between Bologna and the racetrack for an exciting weekend close to the Italian 'Motor Valley' – a region called like that due to its significant importance to Italy's motor industry, including the birthplace of iconic brands: Ferrari, Maserati and Lamborghini.
https://grandprixevents.com/emilia-romagna-grand-prix/2022/packages
Motor Valley Fest (Modena)
May 2022
The city of Modena will celebrate its fourth “Motor Valley Festival” next year, a four-day celebration showcasing the impressive motor heritage of the region. There will be an exciting programme of dedicated sessions and activities focusing on sustainability and the world of electric mobility, along with a series of conferences, events, showcases, exhibitions and a chance to sample the excellent art, culture, food and wine from the region.
https://motorvalley.it/motorvalleyfest/
Il Cinema Ritrovato (Bologna)
25 June – 3 July 2022
For 35 years, Il Cinema Ritrovato has been the festival for cinema fanatics, transporting them on a memorable journey through the wonders of the seventh art in the heart of Bologna: classics brought back to life thanks to the most recent restorations, rarely seen films in black and white and in colour from the archives of the world, captivating documents and documentaries, silent films with live musical performances and films from the entire sound era, print screenings, which still make up over half the schedule, and new digital restorations.
https://festival.ilcinemaritrovato.it/en/
Granfondo, Giro d'Italia, Triathlon “Challenge” and “Iron Man” (various locations)
March – September 2022
From spring 2022 onwards, Emilia Romagna will return to pedalling on all fronts, with a year full of cycling events, including the Granfondo, the international Triathlon and MTB races, along with the stages in the region of the Giro d'Italia. Commencing the events series sees Granfondo del Po in Ferrara on Sunday 13 March 2022, followed by the "Cassani" in Faenza (20 March), the Dieci Colli's 37th edition in Bologna (April), the Granfondo Via del Sale in Cervia (10 April), the Granfondo degli Sharali of Cattolica (15 May), the Nove Colli of Cesenatico (22 May), the second edition of Ride Riccione (5 June) the 11th edition of Granfondo del Capitano in Bagno di Romagna (12 June) and the Granfondo Pantani in Cesenatico will finish on 18 September. In addition to the cycling series, there will be two international Triathlon events: the Challenge Riccione (1 May) and the IRONMAN Italy in Cervia (17-18 September). The international mountain bike races: “Rally di Romagna" will take place between 1-6 June and "Appenninica Stage Race" (4-10 September). The bike season will close on the second weekend of September with the 'Italian Bike Festival of Rimini.
Ravenna Festival (Ravenna and surrounding areas)
May – November 2022
The UNESCO-listed city of Ravenna will be hosting Italy's most prestigious musical summer festival. Ravenna Festival will enrich the city's many theatres and churches with an array of wonderful soirees. The Byzantine basilicas, cloisters and piazzas provide superb backdrops that combine art and architecture with music. Attracting some of the finest artists, orchestras and opera companies in the world, the 2022 edition will see performances in opera, classical, dance and jazz along with showings of, films, conventions and exhibitions.
Verdi Festival (Parma)
October 2022
A celebration of one of the most brilliant opera composers of the nineteenth century – Giuseppe Verdi, the annual October Verdi Festival hosts a dedicated programme at the Regio Theatre of Parma and surrounding areas of Verdi's hometown including discussions, concerts and inspiring presentations, marking it as a key calendar date for Italian opera. www.teatroregioparma.it/en/homepage
For a list of all 2022 events, please visit: www.emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/events
