From September 11 to 13, 2026, Vercelli returns to the spotlight with Risò – International Rice Festival, the event that showcases one of the territory’s most representative products through gastronomy, culture, meetings, shows, and experiences to discover the rice paddies.
Following the success of the first edition, which according to official data recorded over 70,000 attendees in the Village, Risò returns with an even richer program, transforming Vercelli and its territory into a major meeting point dedicated to rice culture for three days.
Risò 2026: Much More Than a Gastronomic Festival
In Vercelli, rice is not simply an ingredient: it is part of the landscape, history, economy, and identity of the territory. It is precisely this connection that Risò aims to convey, bringing together producers, chefs, institutions, researchers, enthusiasts, and visitors from Italy and abroad.
The 2026 program includes approximately 150 events, including talks, meetings, tastings, show cooking, exhibitions, performances, workshops, guided tours, and excursions throughout the Vercelli area.
The heart of the event will once again be the Village in Piazza Antico Ospedale, open free of charge from September 11 to 13 from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Inside, there will be the Institutional and Supply Chain Pavilion, the Producers Pavilion, and the Food Pavilion. In the evening, from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM, it will also be possible to access the food area from the Via Viotti entrance.
Among the most anticipated events are the show cooking sessions and tastings dedicated to different rice varieties, as well as meetings focused on the future of rice cultivation, water management, biodiversity, international markets, and innovation in agriculture.
Inauguration with Giorgia Meloni and International Guests
The official opening is scheduled for Friday, September 11 at 11:00 AM on the parvis of the Basilica of Sant’Andrea. The official program lists, among the institutional guests, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Minister of Agriculture Francesco Lollobrigida, President of the Piedmont Region Alberto Cirio, and representatives from the FAO.
The international dimension is indeed one of the central elements of Risò: for a few days, Vercelli becomes a place to discuss not only gastronomy but also the future of a crop that profoundly characterizes this part of Piedmont.
Among the most anticipated guests for the general public will be Ernst Knam, chef and maître chocolatier, who will be a protagonist on the final day, Sunday, September 13, and during the final of the Trofeo d’la Panissa.
Show Cooking, Tastings, Exhibitions, and Risò Night
Visitors to Risò can choose to experience the Festival in many different ways.
In the Village, it will be possible to meet producers and rice mills, learn about varieties and processing techniques, and participate in tastings and show cooking. The cultural program will involve various locations across the city, including the Salone Dugentesco, the Borgogna Museum, the Leone Museum, and the Cathedral Treasury Museum.
On Saturday, September 12, Vercelli will continue to experience the Festival even after sunset with Risò Night, the white night that will bring the event’s atmosphere to the streets and venues of the city.
Finally, there are initiatives dedicated to those who wish to venture outside the urban center and see firsthand the landscape that has made Vercelli one of the European capitals of rice. The program includes several tours of the territory, including rice paddies, villages, castles, irrigation history, and visits dedicated to rice cultivation and harvesting. Some itineraries are also available departing from Milan and Turin.
Where to Stay in Vercelli to Visit Risò 2026
To experience Risò at a relaxed pace, it can be particularly convenient to stay directly in Vercelli and move on foot between the Village, the historic center, and the various event venues.
Hotel Matteotti, located at Corso Giacomo Matteotti 35, represents a particularly practical solution: it is a family-run 3-star hotel situated a short distance from the historic center and offers, among its services, free parking.
The location allows you to leave your car at the hotel and reach the main areas of Risò on foot, avoiding traffic and the search for parking during the busiest days.
How to Reach Risò from Hotel Matteotti
The heart of the Festival is located in the Piazza Antico Ospedale area, with the main entrance on Via Galileo Ferraris.
From Hotel Matteotti, the most pleasant way to get there is on foot: from Corso Matteotti, proceed towards the center of Vercelli and then in the direction of Via Galileo Ferraris and the Basilica of Sant’Andrea. The route is approximately 1.5 km and takes about twenty minutes, turning the trip to the Festival into a short walk through the city. The Basilica of Sant’Andrea, one of the main landmarks of the Risò area, is located about 1.6 km from the hotel.
Once you reach the Basilica area, the Village in Piazza Antico Ospedale, the Salone Dugentesco, and numerous other Festival events are concentrated in the same area and can be easily reached on foot.
Staying at Hotel Matteotti thus allows you to experience Risò while leaving your car parked and dedicating the day to discovering the event and the historic center of Vercelli.
A Weekend to Discover Vercelli Through Its Symbolic Product
Risò is a special opportunity to visit Vercelli because it allows one to understand how much rice has shaped not only the local cuisine but also the landscape, economy, and culture of the territory.
Between a tasting and a show cooking session, a visit to the museums, a walk through the historic center, and a tour of the rice paddies, from September 11 to 13, 2026, Vercelli showcases one of its most authentic identities.
To consult the updated program, the times of individual events, and to book tours, you can visit the official website of Risò – International Rice Festival.
Discover the Risò 2026 Program
