From 17 to 20 September 2026, Cergnago, in the province of Pavia, hosts the 43rd Risotto Festival, an event dedicated to one of the traditional dishes most closely associated with the gastronomic culture of Lomellina. Four days at the Centro Sportivo Polifunzionale featuring local cuisine, traditional specialities, live music, dancing and the popular Gran Premio del Risotto.

The Cergnago Risotto Festival returns in September 2026 for its 43rd edition, organised by the Pro Loco Cergnago with the patronage of the Municipality.

The event takes place from Thursday 17 to Sunday 20 September 2026 at the Centro Sportivo Polifunzionale in Cergnago, in the heart of the Lomellina area of the province of Pavia.

The festival combines food and entertainment, offering visitors the opportunity to taste local specialities and enjoy evenings accompanied by music. The highlight of Sunday will be the 11th Gran Premio del Risotto, preceded by the sprint qualifying sessions in Piazza Castello.

Programme of the 2026 Risotto Festival

Thursday 17 September

The opening evening begins at 8:00 pm with dinner service. At 9:00 pm, an evening of dancing with Lillo Baroni.

Friday 18 September

Dinner service starts at 8:00 pm, followed at 9:00 pm by an evening of dancing with Mauro Starone. At 10:30 pm, the teams competing in the pedal-powered car Grand Prix will be presented.

Saturday 19 September

Saturday's programme begins at 8:00 pm with dinner service. From 9:00 pm, dancing and karaoke with Michael and Ely.

Sunday 20 September

The final day is dedicated to the traditional Gran Premio del Risotto. At 10:00 am, the Risotto Grand Prix sprint qualifying will take place in Piazza Castello.

At 12:00 pm, lunch service begins, while at 3:30 pm the 11th Gran Premio del Risotto will take place, again in Piazza Castello.

At 5:00 pm, the event concludes with the free distribution of risotto.

Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy bar and restaurant services, with local specialities and dancing evenings. A car park adjacent to the marquee is also available, making access to the event easier.

The festival is an opportunity to discover Cergnago and Lomellina, an area of the province of Pavia deeply connected to rice cultivation and the local gastronomic tradition.

Event: 43rd Risotto Festival
Where: Centro Sportivo Polifunzionale, Cergnago (Pavia)
When: 17–20 September 2026
Organised by: Pro Loco Cergnago
With the patronage of: Municipality of Cergnago
Reservations: No reservations are required or available for the event.

For further information, contact Pro Loco Cergnago at +39 339 8910105.

Why visit Cergnago during the Risotto Festival?

The Cergnago Risotto Festival is an ideal event for anyone wishing to experience a traditional local celebration in the province of Pavia and discover the rice-growing culture of Lomellina through food, music and community traditions.

The festival also provides an opportunity to include Cergnago in an itinerary exploring the small towns of Lomellina, an area characterised by extensive rice fields and a strong agricultural and gastronomic identity.

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