Rural Umbria is once again taking centre stage in the Italian autumn with the 29th edition of Frantoi Aperti, the festival that tells the story of the region through its signature product: extra virgin olive oil.
This weekend and through to 15 November, the region will come alive with events and activities celebrating the olive harvest and the production of what is often described as “green gold”.
Free outdoor activities for adults and children, tastings, artistic events and initiatives showcasing the region’s outstanding natural and scenic heritage all reaffirm Umbria’s position as a leading destination for immersive, experience-led tourism.
In the spirit of St Francis
The 2026 edition, coinciding with commemorations of the 800th anniversary of St Francis’s death, pays tribute to the saint who has become a symbol of Umbria through the “Evo&Art Experience” tours.
With shuttle services and professional tour guides provided, these itineraries weave together olive oil culture, art, biodiversity and some of the most emblematic Franciscan sites.
This weekend’s highlight takes place on Sunday 8 November at Castello di Pissignano Alto, a medieval village perched on the hillsides of Campello sul Clitunno.
A free shuttle service will connect the village with the participating Frantoi Aperti olive mills in the municipality of Campello sul Clitunno (Frantoio Marfuga, Frantoio Eredi Gradassi and Frantoio Carletti).
Along the streets surrounding the castle, visitors can browse the stalls of the New Season Quality Olive Oil Market and the market dedicated to local producers, artists and craftspeople, discovering the area's food, wine and traditional handicrafts.
On Sunday morning, the Pro Loco will also host a light breakfast in the castle square, followed by two walking itineraries through the countryside and olive groves.
The first, “Trekking among the Olive Trees”, leads to the Franciscan hermitage of “Allodole”. The second, “Trekking between Theatre and Nature”, is designed for families with children and combines a walk through the olive groves with storytelling sessions featuring fairy tales and stories inspired by trees, olive trees and olive oil.
Also worth seeking out is “Ti racconto” (“Let Me Tell You”), a storytelling initiative centred on shared work experiences, alongside guided visits to Castello di Pissignano Alto and the Tempietto sul Clitunno, one of the seven monumental groups forming the UNESCO serial World Heritage Site The Longobards in Italy. Places of Power (568–774 AD).
Motorbikes, art and culture
Among the other new additions to this year's programme is the first-ever Moto Giro dei Frantoi Aperti in Umbria, a motorbike tour offering riders the chance to explore scenic routes through olive-growing landscapes and historic villages, with stops at olive mills in full production and opportunities to taste freshly pressed oil.
Art and culture also take centre stage with the return of #Chiaveumbra – Pratiche del limite tra arte e ambiente. Curated by Palazzo Lucarini Contemporary, the project brings together contemporary art installations and interventions that engage with the surrounding landscape, offering fresh perspectives on the region and its heritage.
Live music and special menus
Music provides the soundtrack to the entire festival, with concerts open to everyone in the streets and squares of Umbria’s villages and historic towns.
The “Suoni dagli ulivi secolari” (Sounds from the Ancient Olive Trees) concert series features performances set among some of the region’s most impressive monumental olive trees: the Ulivo Secolare di Sant’Emiliano in Trevi; the Ulivo Secolare di Macciano; the Ulivo Secolare di Rajo in Amelia; and the Ulivo Secolare di Dolce Agogia.
Shuttle buses, guided walking routes and e-bike excursions connect the olive groves with the villages hosting celebrations dedicated to the new season's olive oil.
The festival's many other protagonists include the region's chefs and restaurants, who will act as ambassadors for a collection of truly distinctive olive oils. Their specially designed menus, featuring dishes inspired by the region’s land and lakes, will showcase the extra virgin olive oils produced by the participating growers.
On Sunday 15 November, the festival draws to a close with one final “Evo&Art Experience” tour. Particularly striking, the itinerary follows in the footsteps of St Francis across the Colli Amerini, exploring the meeting point between the sacred and the secular.www.frantoiaperti.net
Where to stay
Giano dell'Umbria
Agriturismo with restaurant – Fattoria Del Quondam
Località Montecchio, 5 – 06030 Giano dell’Umbria (PG)
Tel. +39 0742 99470 | Mobile +39 328 3626849
www.delquondam.it – info@delquondam.it
Panicale
Rastrello Boutique Hotel
Via Grossi, 10 – 06064 Panicale (PG)
Tel. +39 075 837246 | Mobile +39 353 4126302
info@rastrello.com – www.rastrello.com
Trevi
Agriturismo i Mandorli
Località Casa del Putto, 19 – 06039 Bovara (PG)
Tel. +39 0742 78669 | Mobile +39 335 1006524
www.agriturismoimandorli.com – info@agriturismoimandorli.com
This article was reviewed by an external translation partner