The Most Famous Traditional Food Festivals in the Province of Imperia

Articolo del June 14, 2026. Pubblicato in TRADITIONS & EVENTS

The Province of Imperia is a land rich in culinary traditions, where every village preserves recipes handed down through generations. Throughout the year, especially during summer and autumn, the villages of the Ligurian hinterland come alive with traditional food festivals (sagre) that offer the perfect opportunity to discover the true soul of the Western Ligurian Riviera. Attending a local festival means tasting authentic regional dishes prepared according to traditional recipes, wandering through medieval streets, enjoying live music and experiencing the warm hospitality that defines this part of Liguria. Here are some of the best-known food festivals in the Province of Imperia, ideal for anyone planning a gastronomic journey between the sea and the mountains.

Snail Festival – Molini di Triora

Among the best-known events in the Imperia hinterland is the Snail Festival in Molini di Triora, a long-standing tradition held every year on the second Sunday of September. The star of the festival is the snail, prepared according to local recipes and served alongside other Ligurian specialties and products from the Argentina Valley. The event also provides the perfect opportunity to visit the village and continue on to Triora, the famous "Village of the Witches," surrounded by the forests of the Ligurian Alps.

Stockfish Festival – Badalucco

Badalucco, one of the most charming villages in the Argentina Valley, hosts the renowned Stockfish Festival every year on the third Sunday of September, celebrating one of the signature dishes of Ligurian cuisine. The stockfish is prepared following the traditional recipe with Taggiasca olives, mushrooms, hazelnuts, anchovies, pine nuts and extra virgin olive oil. Long outdoor tables, live music and a friendly atmosphere make this festival one of the province's most popular events.

"Ravioli cu Pesigu" Festival – Vallebona

The picturesque medieval village of Vallebona hosts one of the oldest food festivals in Western Liguria: the Ravioli cu Pesigu Festival. The ravioli are handmade following traditional local recipes and served together with other Ligurian specialties. The festival attracts both locals and visitors, who also take the opportunity to explore the village's charming narrow streets and historic centre.

Frandura Festival – Montalto Ligure

One of the most representative dishes of traditional Ligurian farmer cuisine is Frandura, celebrated every August in Montalto Ligure. Made with thinly sliced potatoes, cheese, milk and extra virgin olive oil, Frandura is a simple yet delicious dish rooted in the farming traditions of the Ligurian hinterland. The festival is also an excellent opportunity to discover one of the quietest villages in the Argentina Valley.

Turtun Festival – Castel Vittorio

In the heart of the Nervia Valley, Castel Vittorio celebrates one of the area's most traditional dishes during the Turtun Festival. Turtun is a simple yet savoury pie prepared with zucchini, rice, eggs, cheese and aromatic herbs, following an ancient recipe passed down through generations of Ligurian farming families. During the festival the village comes alive with food stalls, live music and entertainment, offering visitors an authentic taste of local traditions.

Sausage Festival – Ceriana

Ceriana, famous for its historic religious brotherhoods and centuries-old traditions, hosts the annual Sausage Festival. The event celebrates locally produced sausage prepared according to traditional recipes and transforms the entire village into a lively celebration with tastings, music and entertainment. Visiting Ceriana during the festival is also an excellent opportunity to discover one of the most fascinating medieval villages in the Sanremo hinterland.

Goat and White Beans Festival – Rocchetta Nervina and Verdeggia

Among the most characteristic gastronomic events of the Ligurian hinterland are the festivals dedicated to Goat and white Beans, a traditional mountain dish. In Rocchetta Nervina, in the Nervia Valley, the festival attracts many visitors every summer eager to taste this hearty recipe, a symbol of the area's pastoral heritage. The small mountain hamlet of Verdeggia, part of the municipality of Triora, also keeps this ancient tradition alive with its own festival dedicated to the same dish, offering an even more authentic experience surrounded by the dramatic landscapes of the Ligurian Alps.

Autumn Smells of Chestnuts

When October arrives, the inland valleys of the Province of Imperia celebrate one of their most iconic products: the chestnut. It is the perfect season to visit the villages of the Ligurian valleys, where forests turn brilliant shades of autumn and village squares come alive with festivals dedicated to this treasured fruit. Among the best-known events is the Chestnut Festival of Andagna, a hamlet of Molini di Triora, where visitors can enjoy roasted chestnuts, traditional desserts and local dishes made with chestnut flour throughout the day. Equally popular is the Chestnut Festival of Buggio, a picturesque village within the municipality of Pigna, at the foot of Mount Toraggio, which welcomes numerous visitors every year to the Upper Nervia Valley. Roasted chestnuts, local products, music and a convivial atmosphere make it one of the most beloved autumn events in the province. Another event worth mentioning is the Chestnut Festival of Montegrosso Pian Latte, one of the historic events in the Upper Arroscia Valley, particularly appreciated by visitors eager to discover the authentic flavours of inland Liguria.