Published on
November 24, 2025
Autumn in Italy is Olive oil season. Unlike other places where the changing leaves might signify the arrival of autumn, Italy celebrates the changing leaves with a freshly pressed Olive oil Harvest. Italy’s rich Olive oil growing heritage and proudly hosts a collection of muncipal harvest festivals known as the Feste dell’Olio O nuovo. These festivals are a perfect way to experience rural Italy and all its craftsmanship, earthy foodie culture and the close relationship the italian farmer and the land share.
What is Festa dell’Olio Nuovo?
Festa dell’Olio Nuovo, or the New Olive Oil Festival, is a celebration of the season’s first-press olive oil. This annual event is much more than a simple oil tasting—it’s a cultural experience where visitors can indulge in the fresh, peppery flavour of olio nuovo and immerse themselves in the local lifestyle.
Held primarily in the olive-rich regions of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, these festivals celebrate the olive harvest with traditional food, music, and local markets. The aroma of freshly pressed olive oil fills the air as visitors enjoy tasting sessions, browse through craft stalls, and join in cooking demonstrations.
Where to Experience the Best Olive Harvest Festivals in Italy
Italy’s diverse olive-growing regions host unique festivals, each showcasing the country’s rich agricultural traditions. The Sagra dell’Olivo in Canino, Lazio, stands as the oldest and most prominent olive oil festival in Italy. Dating back to 1939, this festival celebrates the Canino DOP extra virgin oil, widely regarded as some of the best in the country.
Along the Ligurian coast, the Olio Olivia Festival in Imperia offers a picturesque setting for tasting fresh oil, while Umbria—known as the “green heart of Italy”—hosts its own Festa dell’Olio Nuovo. Tuscany, too, has its own collection of festivals, from Pergine Valdarno to Castiglion Fiorentino, all celebrating the region’s long-standing olive oil culture.
What to Expect at the Olive Harvest Festival
A key highlight of the Festa dell’Olio Nuovo is the olive oil tasting. Visitors have the chance to sample the fresh, peppery olio nuovo served with local bread or on traditional Tuscan dishes. The fresh oil, made from the first olives of the season, is full of vibrant flavour and complexity.
Apart from the tastings, the streets come alive with local food markets featuring cheeses, cured meats, honey, and regional wines. It’s a chance to experience the best of Italy’s regional produce. Guided tours through olive groves and historic mills, some of which still use traditional stone presses, offer a behind-the-scenes look at the olive oil production process.
Cultural Celebrations and Community Spirit
These festivals are as much about culture as they are about food. Along with olive oil tastings and food markets, visitors can enjoy local folk music performances, cooking demonstrations, and even participate in communal activities such as walking tours through olive groves. The sense of community is palpable as locals come together to celebrate their agricultural heritage.
In many towns, the festivals are held in central piazzas, where visitors can mingle with locals and learn about the region’s rich traditions. The connection between food, culture, and the landscape is truly on display here, offering an authentic Italian experience that goes beyond just olive oil.
How to Plan Your Visit to the Olive Oil Festivals
Italy’s olive harvest festivals take place from late October through November, but specific dates vary by location. For instance, in 2025, the Festa dell’Olio Nuovo in Pergine Valdarno is scheduled for November 8-9, while Castiglion Fiorentino’s festival takes place on November 22-23. Umbria’s Tuoro sul Trasimeno celebrates from November 7-9.
To fully immerse yourself in the experience, it’s best to focus on one or two locations, allowing you to enjoy the activities and atmosphere without rushing. Guided tours of olive mills and groves are a must-do for visitors interested in the olive oil production process. Make sure to check the local schedules ahead of time to align your trip with the festivals.
Oleotourism: A Unique Way to Experience Olive Oil
Since 2022, Italy has formally recognised oleoturismo—olive oil tourism—as an official activity. This means visitors can now engage in structured, certified tours of olive mills, participate in hands-on harvesting experiences, and even enjoy cooking lessons using the freshly pressed oil.
Regions like Tuscany, Umbria, and Liguria have developed networks of local mills and farms offering these olive oil tourism experiences. With safety regulations in place, these tours offer a more immersive experience, allowing tourists to pick olives, observe the pressing process, and taste the oil on-site.
Best Time to Visit and Festival Dates
For those eager to plan their trip around these celebrations, it’s important to note that the best time to visit is between late October and mid-November. Some festivals last only a weekend, while others span several days, so it’s essential to plan ahead. The Festa dell’Olio Nuovo offers a unique opportunity to experience Italy’s rural traditions at their most vibrant, with each region adding its own flavour to the festivities.
A Guide for Travellers: What You Can’t Miss
Olive Oil Tastings: The first-press olive oil is a must-try, especially served on local bread or drizzled over traditional dishes like pasta al pomodoro or bruschetta.Guided Tours: Explore olive groves and learn about the traditional production of olive oil, from harvesting the olives to pressing them with stone mills.Local Markets: Stroll through vibrant markets featuring regional products like cheeses, wines, and cured meats, all complemented by the season’s best olive oil.Cultural Events: Participate in cooking demonstrations, folk music performances, and communal gatherings that highlight the region’s cultural heritage.Scenic Olive Groves: Take in the breathtaking landscapes of Italy’s olive-growing regions, which are particularly stunning during the harvest season.
Conclusion: A Journey into Italy’s Olive Oil Heritage
The Festa del’Olio Nuovo is a fantastic opportunity to experience the agricultural heritage of Italy. If you are a foodie, a culture vulture, or are just curious to explore the Italian countryside, this is the festival for you. Harvest festivals focusing on Italy’s olive oil obtain an atmosphere of rich culture, evoking the traditions and customs that make this culinary heritage so unique. They allow travelers to partake in the cuisine and the traditions of the land. Adding to the experience are the regional culinary delights that are harvested and paired with the fresh olive oil.
Dining and Cooking