Truffles are the star of November Festivals in Italy. Many truffle fairs are held in northern and central Italy. You'll also find chestnut festivals in many towns and villages during November. Restaurants will often have special meals highlighting truffles, chestnuts, or wild mushrooms especially on Sundays. Fall is a great time for eating in Italy.
Here's a sampling of Italian festivals held during November in Italy.
Truffle Festivals
Piemonte Region: Alba White Truffle Festival ends the first weekend of November. The Alba White Truffle Festival in the Piedmont town of Alba (Piedmont Map) is one of the biggest truffle festivals in Italy. Read more about the Alba Festival from about's Italian Cuisine.
Tuscany: San Miniato Truffle Fair - La Sagra del Tartufo Bianco, a truffle fair, is held in the medieval hill town of San Miniato in the Pisa Province of Tuscany on the second, third and fourth weekends in November. 25% of Italy's white truffles are produced in this territory and November is the heart of truffle gathering season. There will be food and craft stands and entertainment and restaurants will feature truffle menus. If you haven't had truffles, this is a great place to get an introduction. The Europe for Visitors guide has a great Illustrated tour of the San Miniato Truffle Fair
Fall Italian Truffle Fairs - More truffle festivals in Piedmont, Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, and Emilia Romagna regions of Italy.
Music and Performing Arts
Romaeuropa Festival is Rome's big festival of theater, music, and dance held in venues throughout Rome from late September through early December.
Opera Season starts in many of Italy's Top Opera Houses.
More November Festivals
Verona: The International Horse Show, the second weekend of November, draws participants come from all over the world. There is a parade with decorated horses and period costumes through the city on opening day.
Venice: Festival della Salute is held November 21. The festival, held at Madonna della Salute Church, commemorates Venice's deliverance from the plague in 1621. A temporary bridge is erected across the canal and thousands of pilgrims cross to the church. More on Italian Notebook
