From 24 to 27 July 2026, the village of Oliva Gessi, in the heart of the Oltrepò Pavese, comes alive with Oliva in Festa, four evenings dedicated to live shows, live music, good food and conviviality. For four consecutive days, the village becomes a gathering point for anyone looking for a summer built around fun, local flavours and community life, blending the genuine atmosphere of a traditional village festival with quality food and music.

The Oliva in Festa 2026 Programme

The festival features four different evenings, one per day, designed to entertain a broad audience — from families to dance enthusiasts to anyone eager to sing along to well-loved hits.

Friday 24 July – G74 Theatre Show

The festival opens on Friday 24 July with the G74 theatre show, an evening built around pure entertainment and able to engage audiences of all ages with laughter and lightness — the perfect way to kick off the festival with the whole family.

Saturday 25 July – Orchestra Giorgio Villani

On Saturday 25 July the village square turns into a dance floor with the Orchestra Giorgio Villani, headlining an evening of classic ballroom dance music that will keep guests dancing late into the night, featuring traditional favourites loved by ballroom dance fans.

Sunday 26 July – Mega Max, an 883 Tribute

Sunday 26 July belongs to Mega Max, a tribute band dedicated to 883 and Max Pezzali, retracing the band's greatest hits in a journey through Italian pop music of the 1990s, made for an audience ready to sing along from the first note to the last.

Monday 27 July – Nico e Franz

The grand finale is entrusted to Nico e Franz on Monday 27 July, with a live music concert designed to close out this edition of the festival in style, full of energy, good spirits and the will to stay together until the very last evening.

The Food Stand: Traditional Flavours of the Oltrepò

Throughout the festival, a food stand with an open kitchen will run every evening, showcasing local traditional dishes alongside a large barbecue grill.

First Courses

• Ravioli al brasato (ravioli filled with braised beef)
• Pisarei e fasö (traditional Pavese gnocchi with beans)
• Treccine with ricotta and spinach

Main Courses and Grill

At the heart of the menu is the large mixed grill, alongside:

• Salamella sausage sandwich
• Porchetta sandwich
• Arrosticini (skewered lamb)
• Lonza tonnata (pork loin in tuna sauce)
• Roast beef

Desserts

A selection of desserts rounds off the evening on a sweet note.

Local Wines, Craft Beers and Cocktails

Whether you prefer a glass of wine, a craft beer or a freshly made cocktail, Oliva in Festa has the right drink to go with its traditional dishes.

Local Wines

The wine selection features labels from the Oltrepò Pavese, produced by wineries in Oliva Gessi and neighbouring villages, showcasing the excellence of the local wine-growing tradition.

Craft Beers

Beer lovers can enjoy craft beers from Azienda Agricola Vallescura, brewed with local ingredients for an authentic, genuine taste.

Cocktails

Completing the offer is a selection of cocktails, from classic favourites to fresh, thirst-quenching options prepared on the spot, perfect for warm summer evenings.

Useful Information

Oliva in Festa 2026 runs from 24 to 27 July in Oliva Gessi, a small village in the Oltrepò Pavese. Every evening features the food stand, a bar area with local wines, craft beers and cocktails, and a stage for the scheduled shows and concerts. For information and bookings, call 334 377 5874 or 328 032 0063.

Four evenings, one common thread: the pleasure of being together. Oliva in Festa 2026 confirms its place among the summer festivals of the Oltrepò Pavese, combining live music, good food and the hospitality of a village that, for four days, becomes the beating heart of local community life.

Photo: Comune di Oliva Gessi

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