From Friday 16 to Monday 19 October 2026, Carbonara al Ticino, a small town in the eastern Lomellina area, just a few kilometres from Pavia, hosts Autunno Carbonarese, a varied programme of events accompanying the 29th Bruschetta Festival (Sagra della Bruschetta). Four days of food, local traditions, music, market stalls and community gatherings, with the main event taking place on Sunday 18 October, when bruschetta takes centre stage from 12 noon to 8 pm without interruption.

The event is organised by Pro Loco Carbonara al Ticino, founded in 1990, with the patronage of the Municipality and the involvement of the local parish. The programme includes religious services and blessings, a charity raffle, a polenta dinner, a bingo night, a national motorcycle rally, an exhibition on the Eucharistic Miracles of Saint Carlo Acutis, family entertainment and a funfair open until Tuesday 20 October.

Event: Autunno Carbonarese, 29th Bruschetta Festival

When: Friday 16 to Monday 19 October 2026 (funfair open until Tuesday 20 October)

Where: Carbonara al Ticino (Pavia province), at the municipal sports hall, parish church, Via Moretti, playground and Via Risorgimento (funfair)

Main event: Sunday 18 October, Bruschetta Festival from 12 noon to 8 pm, non-stop

Organiser: Pro Loco Carbonara al Ticino, with the patronage of the Municipality of Carbonara al Ticino

Prices: Polenta dinner €20 (€12 takeaway from 7 pm); Tourist Lunch €20

Information and bookings: +39 340 8977940

Carbonara al Ticino is a municipality in the province of Pavia, in the eastern part of Lomellina, close to the Ticino River and the Ticino Valley Lombard Park. With just over 1,400 inhabitants, the town takes its name from the ancient Sylva Carbonaria, a vast woodland that once stretched between the settlement and the river, where charcoal was traditionally produced. The local Pro Loco has embraced this heritage in its own name, “I Lupi della Selva Carbonara” (The Wolves of the Carbonara Forest).

For visitors from Pavia and the surrounding province, Autunno Carbonarese is an opportunity to enjoy a day trip to a small town where the festival brings the whole community together, from the Pro Loco and parish to volunteers and local traders with their market stalls.

On Sunday 18 October, from 12 noon to 8 pm without interruption, the 29th Bruschetta Festival is the highlight of the celebrations. Bruschetta, toasted bread traditionally topped with extra virgin olive oil and garlic, began as a simple, wholesome dish of rural Italian cuisine. In Carbonara al Ticino, it has become the signature food of the autumn festival, alongside other seasonal specialities: Friday evening's polenta, followed by roasted chestnuts and mulled wine at the closing celebrations on Monday.

Those who prefer a sit-down meal can book the Pranzo del Turista (Tourist Lunch), served at 1 pm in the municipal sports hall for €20. Advance booking is compulsory on +39 340 8977940.

Friday 16 October

The festivities begin at 8 pm with the traditional Polentata, a polenta dinner held in the municipal sports hall. The menu features polenta with braised beef, cotechino sausage and Gorgonzola cheese, followed by fruit and dessert, for €20.

Takeaway portions are also available for €12 from 7 pm. To book, contact Massimo on +39 340 8977940 or Lucia on +39 0382 400250.

At 9 pm, the parish charity stall opens in the sports hall. The funfair on Via Risorgimento also opens on Friday and remains in operation until Tuesday 20 October.

Saturday 17 October

The afternoon starts at 3 pm with the Angolo dei Dolci (Sweet Treats Corner) in the sports hall, a space dedicated to cakes and other sweet specialities.

From 5.15 pm to 5.45 pm, the traditional blessing of cars takes place outside the parish church.

At 9.15 pm, the Pro Loco hosts a bingo night in the municipal sports hall, with a selection of prizes for participants.

Sunday 18 October

Sunday is the busiest day of the festival. From 9 am to 7 pm, market stalls fill Via Moretti, alongside Carbonara Vintage, while the motorcycle gathering gets underway: the 23rd National Bruschetta Motorcycle Rally.

At 10 am, a solemn Mass is celebrated in the parish church. From the same time, the sports hall hosts craft stalls and the Children's Market.

From 11.30 am, the parish church welcomes the exhibition I Miracoli Eucaristici (The Eucharistic Miracles), dedicated to the young Saint Carlo Acutis. The parish charity stall also reopens.

At noon, the 29th Bruschetta Festival officially gets underway, continuing non-stop until 8 pm. At 1 pm, the Tourist Lunch is served in the sports hall.

The afternoon combines culture and entertainment. From 3 pm, visitors can attend the presentation of the book La Valle del Ticino da Cantarana a Campomaggiore (The Ticino Valley from Cantarana to Campomaggiore). The sports hall also hosts a table football tournament and Parco Giochi Folk with I Musetta.

At 3.30 pm, La Chitarrata takes the stage, featuring a comic singing and transformation show.

The day concludes at 9 pm at the funfair with an 1980s and 1990s-themed disco party on the bumper cars, with a bar service available.

Monday 19 October

The final day is devoted to remembrance and solidarity.

At 8.30 pm, a solemn Mass is celebrated in memory of all deceased members of the parish and Pro Loco members who have recently passed away.

At 9.30 pm, the parish and Pro Loco inaugurate and bless the new Carità e Solidarietà (Charity and Solidarity) premises.

At 10 pm, the 2026 Festival Lottery draw brings the celebrations to a close, accompanied by roasted chestnuts and mulled wine.

Throughout the festivities, from Friday 16 to Tuesday 20 October, the funfair on Via Risorgimento offers attractions for children and adults alike. On Sunday evening at 9 pm, it also provides the setting for the 1980s and 1990s disco party on the bumper cars.

Autunno Carbonarese brings together a variety of experiences: food and local specialities, from polenta to bruschetta and the Tourist Lunch; religious traditions, including blessings and Masses; community initiatives, such as the charity stall and the opening of the Carità e Solidarietà premises; and entertainment, with bingo, table football, live shows and the funfair.

Motor enthusiasts can enjoy the motorcycle rally and Carbonara Vintage, while those interested in local heritage can attend the presentation of a book dedicated to the Ticino Valley.

For information and bookings, call +39 340 8977940. For Friday's polenta dinner, you can also contact Lucia on +39 0382 400250.

The programme may be subject to change. Visitors are advised to check for updates directly with the organisers, who disclaim responsibility for events outside their organisational remit.

When is the 2026 Bruschetta Festival in Carbonara al Ticino?

The 29th Bruschetta Festival takes place on Sunday 18 October 2026, from 12 noon to 8 pm without interruption, as part of Autunno Carbonarese, the programme of events running from Friday 16 to Monday 19 October 2026.

What is Autunno Carbonarese?

Autunno Carbonarese is a programme of events organised by Pro Loco Carbonara al Ticino, with the patronage of the local municipality, alongside the Bruschetta Festival. It combines food, religious traditions, music, entertainment and community initiatives.

Where is Carbonara al Ticino?

Carbonara al Ticino is a municipality in the province of Pavia, in eastern Lomellina, just a few kilometres from Pavia and close to the Ticino River.

How can I book the Polenta Dinner and Tourist Lunch?

For the Polenta Dinner on Friday 16 October at 8 pm (€20, or €12 for takeaway from 7 pm), contact Massimo on +39 340 8977940 or Lucia on +39 0382 400250.

Advance booking is compulsory for the Tourist Lunch on Sunday 18 October at 1 pm in the municipal sports hall (€20). Call +39 340 8977940.

Are there activities for children and families?

Yes. On Sunday 18 October, the Children's Market and craft stalls open at 10 am, followed by a table football tournament and Parco Giochi Folk with I Musetta from 3 pm, and the La Chitarrata show at 3.30 pm. The funfair on Via Risorgimento is open from Friday 16 to Tuesday 20 October.

When does the motorcycle rally take place?

The 23rd National Bruschetta Motorcycle Rally takes place on Sunday 18 October 2026, starting at 9 am.