The medieval village of Celleno is preparing to experience one of its most beloved events: the Cherry Festival, now in its 39th edition, will liven up the streets and squares of the town from 5 to 7 June 2026 with three days of shows, flavours, music and traditions.
Organized by the Pro Loco with the patronage of the Municipality, the event attracts thousands of visitors every year from all over Tuscia and beyond, confirming Celleno as one of the liveliest villages in the province of Viterbo.
The program
It starts on Friday 5 June: in the afternoon the stands of the Cherry Consortium and the markets in the Central Gardens open, while at 5.30pm the town comes alive with the parade of historic poles and greetings from the authorities. The evening is entrusted to the Party Band MamaLoverwhich will bring the history of dance from the seventies to the 2000s to Piazza della Repubblica.
Saturday afternoon offers a signature falconry show Urbeveteris Falconspreceded by the fashion show “Blue, Yellow, Red” of the students of the Pio Fedi Institute. But the most evocative moment is the night: the traditional Masked Groups will parade through the streets of the village accompanied by jugglers and fire eaters, in a night procession that is now part of the soul of the party.
The Sunday of the great rites
Sunday is the most awaited day. In the morning the Solidarity Walk of the Ruben Ciarlanti Association and the AMAS vintage car parade open an intense day. In the afternoon the streets are filled with the folk group The Frustica di Faleriawhile at 5pm the most irreverent event of the festival takes place: the XXVII International Cherry Stone Spitting Championship, in the “Sputodromo” of the Central Gardens. A fun and much loved competition, capable in itself of being worth the trip to Celleno.
The grand final parade starts at 5.15pm, with the Masked Groups accompanied by the Celleno Musical Band, the Vitorchiano Majorettes and the procession of historic AMAS cars. At 7.00pm it’s time for the Crostatona, now in its 34th edition: the giant sweet made from cherries, more than 20 meters long, distributed in Piazza della Repubblica before the awards ceremony and the presentation of the Palio. The dancing evening with Claudio and Luana and the fireworks at 11pm will close the 2026 edition in style.
The cherries are the protagonists of the party
For the entire duration of the event the food stands offer the inevitable cherry pancakes, while on Sunday the Terrace of Taste offers food and wine tastings to enhance local excellence. The Celleno Cherry Consortium will be present every day with its products.
The June calendar is enriched with other events: the 13th returns Cherries Festival (VII edition), the 14th is the turn of theUrban Trail of Cherries for running and nature enthusiasts, and the draw for the official lottery of the Festival will be held on the 28th.
Updates and information on the official channels of Pro Loco Celleno: Facebook and Instagram @prolococelleno.
