Umbria in Autumn: The Best Festivals & Events

Umbria is one of the best kept secrets in Italy! Less well known than the major cities, but oozing with Italian charm and beauty. This region is nestled in the middle of the country, and is easily accessible from both Rome and Tuscany. It has rolling hills, stunningly quaint towns and great food – including chocolate. It should therefore come as no surprise that Umbria in Autumn is a magical time, with nature highlighting the beautiful countryside and bringing out the best of the local cuisine.

Umbria in Autumn is a stunning site, the colours, the clear skies and soft sun are a delight for visitors.

Autumn/Fall Festivals and Events in Umbria

To top it off, the fall is also a great time to discover some of the most well-known and best events in the region. Read on for more details of the festivals you can attend, the fun activities you can do and the historical stories you can learn when you visit Umbria in Autumn.

Giostra della Quintana (Foligno)

The Giostra della Quintana is a fair that is definitely worth keeping on your radar. Hosted in Foligno, which is in the heart of Umbria and Italy itself. Indeed, throughout history it has traditionally been known as the center of the world.

The Giostra reenacts the competition between knights from each neighborhood of Foligno. The knights attempt to place rings, each one smaller than the last, on the wooden statue called the Quintana.

A strict historical reconstruction of Baroque Italy, the Quintana dates back to 1613 and the festival has taken place every year since 1946. Even for those less interested in Baroque traditions, Foligno is a beautiful town known for its architecture and history – it was the location of one of the first prints of the Divina Commedia by Dante Alighieri, perhaps the most prominent work in Italian literature.

• When: September 17 – 19
• Where: Foligno

Foligno is the host of two major festival in Umbria in Autumn. Photo credit: Umbria Tourism

I Primi d’Italia (Foligno)

The I Primi d’Italia or national festival of first dishes is also held in Foligno, a city considered the capital of the primi piatti. Located in the historic center of the city, over 26 locations participate in the event, the only event dedicated entirely to the “first dishes of Italy”, namely rice, polenta and pasta dishes.

Celebrating “Made in Italy,” visitors can take cooking classes, see chefs at work with food art or tour the Villaggi del Gusto where visitors can taste test over 100 new recipes for dishes particularly influenced by central Italy.

• When: September 24 – 27
• Where: Foligno

Sagra Musicale Umbra (Perugia)

Held every September, the the Sagra Musicale in Umbria ends the region’s typically music-filled summer with a week of classical and chamber music. Popular with both experts and music-lovers, the festival also showcases Italy’s many small instrument artisans with approximately 140 different companies taking parts.

• When: September 10 –20
• Where – Perugia

The hillside town of Perugia has a lot to offer visitors: festivals, chocolate and views like this! Photo by Gina Mussio

Eurochocolate (Perugia)

The International Eurochocolate Festival in Perugia is the biggest chocolate celebration in Europe, perhaps even the world! Each year the event attracts approximately 900,000 visitors to Perugia, a city that has a long history with chocolate.

Perugia is the home of the Università dei Sapori (University of Flavors) and of the famous Italian chocolate Baci, including their chocolate factory that visitors can tour. Go to Eurochocolate to see cooking shows, live performances, chocolate sculptures and of course, to eat chocolate!

• When: October 16 – 25
• Where: Perugia

Chocolate truffles – the best of both worlds! Photo credit: Flickr

Feast of St Francis of Assisi  (Assisi)

Despite the name, St. Francesco of Assisi isn’t the patron saint of the Umbrian town, rather, he’s the patron saint of the entire country! Each year all of Italy celebrates the saint’s feast day, October 4, and the festival in Assisi is one not to be missed. Two years ago, even the Pope went to Assisi to celebrate the important holiday and his namesake saint!

Gold, blue and red banners – the colors of Assisi – are hung all over town and trumpeters in similar colors play Assisi’s anthem as a procession proceeds to St. Francis’ tomb. The next day, October 5, the entire town becomes an open marketplace for the Fiera di San Francesco, with over 150 vendors.

• When: October 4 and 5
• Where : Assisi, and throughout Italy

The Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi, is an Unesco site in central Italy

White Truffle Fair (Città di Castello, Gubbio) 

Though Tuscany might get all the fame for its celebrated truffles, Umbria happens to be quite rich in the expensive root as well. With annual agricultural fairs in both Gubbio and Città di Castello, the Mostra Mercato Nazionale del Tartufo Bianco offers travelers and food connoisseurs a taste of the prized white truffle along with other regional classics.

Actually, there are many truffle festivals in Italy! Check out more of them in our blog post about truffle festivals.

• When: October 29 – November 2
• Where: Città di Castello, Gubbio

White truffle risotto is just one of the many delicious truffle dishes that the annual truffle festivals offer. Photo credit: Flickr

New Wine Festivals (various locations)

New wines – a style of light reds – can’t be released in Italy before November 4, so each year various festivals are held to celebrate the release of the vini novelli.

Towns such as Narni (the town that inspired C.S. Lewis’ Narnia), Torgiano or the slightly bigger Pontassieve hold festivals to welcome their latest batches of new wines. With tastings on the streets or in restaurants, there are also wine judging competitions, cooking demonstrations and entire meals created as a perfect match for your tipple.

• When: First weekend after November 4
• Where: Narni, Torgian, Pontassieve and more

The hilltop town of Narni is simply beautiful!

FAQ´s – Umbria in Autumn, Festivals and Events

How do I get around Umbria without a car?

Umbria is well connected by regional trains and buses, especially between major towns like Perugia, Assisi, Foligno and Spoleto. Trenitalia regional trains run frequently from Rome and Florence, and local buses help bridge the gaps to smaller hill towns. However, for visiting rural festivals or truffle fairs, renting a car offers the most flexibility.

Do I need to pay entrance fees for festivals and attractions in Umbria?

Most autumn festivals in Umbria, such as Eurochocolate, wine festivals, and local sagre, are free to enter, with food and tastings paid individually. Major sites like the Basilica of St. Francis in Assisi are free to visit, while some museums, towers, or guided experiences may charge small entry fees, typically ranging from €5 to €15.

Is Umbria an affordable place to stay during autumn?

Yes, autumn is one of the best-value seasons to visit Umbria. Accommodation prices are generally lower than in peak summer, with excellent options ranging from agriturismi in the countryside to boutique hotels in historic centers. Prices vary by town and festival dates, but Umbria is typically more affordable than nearby Tuscany.

Most of the cities in Umbria have been built on a hill, providing protection in the olden days and beautiful pictures in the modern days.  Photo by Roberto Taddeo

When planning you next Italian adventure, why not combine the Rome and Umbria?

In the heart of Italy’s countryside, Umbria is perfect countryside retreat for an overnight stay from Rome.  You can enjoy the city of Rome, which is just over two hours by train or bus, with Walks of Italy, Enjoy expertly guided experiences that take the stress out of planning and give you insider stories that bring historic places, local traditions, and regional food to life.

A city stay in Rome and a countryside trip to Umbria is a rewarding way to see more of Italy beyond the capital.