Every November, our quiet hilltop village trades its usual calm for something much louder: long tables, the smell of wild boar ragù drifting through the streets, and music echoing across Piazza Bartoli. This is the Sagra del Cinghiale — Chianni’s Wild Boar Festival — and it’s the one event on the calendar the whole village looks forward to all year.
A tradition since 1976
The festival was founded in October 1976 by a group of local hunters and residents who wanted to bring the culture of wild boar hunting — and the Tuscan cuisine built around it — to the table, and to put Chianni on the map. Nearly fifty years later, it’s grown into one of the most beloved sagre in the whole Pisa area, now held over two weekends each November.
What’s on the table
The festival runs from Thursday to Sunday, across two weekends, with food stands and sit-down dinners serving wild boar prepared every way you can imagine — pappardelle with wild boar ragù, sausages, salami, roasts, and stews made with new-season olives. It’s paired, as always, with local wine and plenty of extra virgin olive oil from the surrounding groves. Reservations are required for the restaurant seatings, so it’s worth booking your table in advance through the official festival website.
Music, markets, and the whole village outside
Beyond the food, the streets fill with market stalls, street performers, and live music — from traditional Tuscan philharmonic bands to more modern acts, depending on the night. On Sundays, a free shuttle service runs to help visitors park outside the centre and walk in, since the village fills up fast.
Stay with us during the festival
If you’re planning to visit, Chianni is at its liveliest during these two November weekends — and staying right in the village means you can walk to the festival, enjoy a long dinner, and stroll home afterwards instead of driving. It’s one of our favourite times of year to have guests with us.
Want to time your visit around it? Book your stay at Colle di Chianni and check the current festival dates on prolocochianni.it.