Introduction
The Cinque Terre — the five clifftop villages of Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Corniglia, Manarola and Riomaggiore — are famous worldwide for their colourful houses, steep coastal paths and, perhaps above all, the terraced vineyards that tumble down to the sea. For centuries vine growing and the production of unique wines like Sciacchetrà have shaped the landscape, the local economy and community traditions. From this close relationship between land, sea and human handiwork come festivals, fairs and annual events celebrating the harvest, the new wine, Ligurian gastronomy and local rituals.
This guide is aimed at curious travellers who want to time their visit to the Cinque Terre around the festival calendar: where and when to enjoy a glass on a terrace, join guided tastings, watch traditional processions or browse night markets focused on local produce. I’ll cover not just the event names but exact locations, typical schedules, average entry prices, immersive descriptions and practical tips to get the most out of each experience.
Whether you’re a fan of sweet wines like Sciacchetrà, crisp local whites, seafood that pairs with a glass, or simply want to soak up a village in celebration, the annual events of the Cinque Terre promise memorable moments. From tastings on vineyard terraces and community banquets in paved squares to wine trails linking villages, each festival is also a chance to witness age-old techniques: vine pruning on scaffolds, traditional pressing and grape selection for reserve wines.
Below I detail several of the most important annual wine festivals and events — usual timings, exact locations with addresses so you can find them easily, typical prices in euros, and local practical advice (reservations, transport, dress code, tasting tips). You’ll also find photo suggestions and visual cues to spot the best vantage points. With this information you can plan your trip to arrive at the right time and enjoy the festivities like a local while respecting the traditions and the fragile terraced ecosystem.
Whether you’re a fan of sweet Sciacchetrà, dry local whites, seafood paired with a glass, or just craving the buzz of a village celebration, the annual events of the Cinque Terre offer unforgettable experiences. From vineyard terrace tastings to communal feasts in stone-paved squares and wine-focused walks between villages, each festival is a window onto traditional skills: pruning vines on scaffolds, classic pressing methods and careful grape selection for special wines.
Click here to book a cellar tasting and vineyard tour
Grape Harvest Festival – Monterosso al Mare (Festa della Vendemmia)
Every year in late September Monterosso al Mare celebrates the end of the harvest with the « Festa della Vendemmia. » The event features demonstrations of hand-harvesting, traditional presses, tastings of local wines and food stalls. The heart of the festival is usually at Piazza Garibaldi, 19016 Monterosso al Mare (SP), the large square near the old town and the beach, easily reachable from Monterosso train station (Via Roma, 19016 Monterosso al Mare).
Typical hours: 10:00 – 23:00 (programme varies year to year). Prices: free entry to street activities; guided tastings €10–25 per person (3 to 6 wines depending on the option); pressing workshops €15–30.
Immersive description: the vibe is that of a lively market where the line between producer and visitor blurs. You hear the lap of the waves, the rustle of leaves and the scent of freshly picked grapes mingling with olive oil and warm focaccia. Long communal tables on the square serve plates of farinata, pesto, basil bruschetta and marinated anchovies, best enjoyed with a glass of Vermentino or Sciacchetrà. Vine-pruning demonstrations and dry-stone wall building are often explained in Italian and sometimes in English.
Local tips: arrive early (10:00–12:00) to beat the crowds and sample the first tastings. Book workshops in advance through the Ufficio Turistico di Monterosso (Via Roma 81, 19016 Monterosso al Mare; phone: +39 0187 817080) if you want hands-on participation. Wear closed shoes if you’re visiting the vineyards, and bring a water bottle — sun plus tastings can sneak up on you.
Click here to book a wine and food tasting in Monterosso
Sciacchetrà Festival and Vertical Tastings – Manarola & Volastra
Sciacchetrà is the iconic sweet wine of the Cinque Terre: a luscious wine made from late-harvest and sometimes partially dried grapes. Several events honour it, often in October. The most immersive edition takes place between Manarola, Piazza Garibaldi, 19017 Manarola (Comune di Riomaggiore) for concerts and markets, and the hamlet of Volastra, Località Volastra, 19017 Manarola for vineyard visits and tastings with local producers.
Typical hours: 09:00 – 22:00. Prices: entry to the producers’ fair €5–10; vertical tastings €20–60 depending on how many vintages are included (3 to 8 different years); guided vineyard tours €15–40.
Immersive description: the road up to Volastra offers a spectacular view of the terraces, and it’s there you’ll truly feel the human effort behind each bottle. Family-run cellars open their doors for tastings where you might compare Sciacchetrà 2010, 2015 and 2018 — each vintage revealing layers of honey, dried apricot, candied orange peel, caramel and a saline finish from the sea spray. In the evening Manarola’s little harbour and shaded piazzetta host traditional music concerts and stalls selling local goods (focaccia, cheeses, cured meats).
Local tips: to reach Volastra, hike up from Manarola via the panoramic trail (30–45 minutes, moderate fitness) or catch the local bus (SITA/AMT lines). Book vertical tastings several weeks ahead if you’re visiting on a weekend. Most producers accept card payments for tastings but bring cash for small bottles and artisanal products. If you buy Sciacchetrà to take home, ask for protective packaging for train travel — many shops offer sturdy boxes and bubble wrap.
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Click here to join a wine tasting in Volastra
Local Food Festivals (Sagre) & Fairs – Vernazza and Corniglia
Throughout summer and into autumn Vernazza and Corniglia host sagre — popular village festivals dedicated to a particular dish or local product, with farmers’ markets and wine stalls. In Vernazza the Sagra del Pesce e Vino is often held on Piazza Marconi, 19018 Vernazza, a stone’s throw from the small harbour. In Corniglia the events tend to focus on hillside produce and local wine, usually around Piazza San Giovanni Battista, 19018 Corniglia (near the parish church).
Typical hours: 18:00 – 01:00 (summer evenings); market days 09:00 – 18:00. Prices: free entry; tastings from €3 per glass; traditional menus €10–25 depending on portions and whether wine is included.
Immersive description: picture a summer night where alleys are strung with fairy lights, wooden tables seat families and visitors, and the sound of the waves mixes with laughter. In Vernazza grilled fish stalls (anchovies, bagnun — an anchovy soup) are served with glasses of Vermentino and Cinque Terre DOC. Corniglia offers a quieter scene: nibble local cheeses, taste honey from coastal beekeepers and sip aromatic whites. Producers are happy to tell the terrace-vine story and explain the hands-on harvest methods.
Local tips: favour gentle transport in the evenings (walking or train) — parking is limited and streets are narrow. Arrive early to grab a bench and chat with producers — those conversations deepen the tasting. Bring a small foldable bag for purchases and keep train schedules in mind for late returns: the Levanto–La Spezia line runs late but frequencies drop after 22:00.
Click here to book an olive grove visit and tasting in Vernazza
Click here to learn to make pesto with a sea view
Wine Trails and Hikes with Tastings
The Cinque Terre offer unique wine trails: hikes linking villages with stops at wineries for tastings. Local operators and the Associazione Produttori Vitivinicoli delle Cinque Terre run guided routes that combine walking and wine sampling. A popular route starts from Riomaggiore — Via Colombo 1, 19017 Riomaggiore (train station) and climbs toward Manarola, Volastra and then down to Corniglia or Vernazza depending on the chosen variation.
Typical hours: guided hikes 09:00 – 14:00 or 15:00 – 19:00. Prices: €35–80 per person depending on duration and number of tastings (usually 3–5 wines and a basket of local produce). Private excursions may cost €100–200 for a small group if they include transport and cellar visits.
Immersive description: setting off early, when the light kisses the vineyards and the sea is still calm, is unforgettable. Guides explain the ancient dry-stone wall system (muretti a secco) that holds the soil in place and lets vines survive on steep slopes. Tasting stops are often in small family cellars where you sit on plastic chairs facing the sea to savour a crisp, mineral white and a piece of warm focaccia.
Local tips: wear light but sturdy hiking shoes, bring a hat, sunscreen and 1–2 litres of water per person depending on the length. Always tell someone your route if you go alone. If you plan to buy wine along the way, organise how you’ll carry it (backpack with a rigid compartment or ask the cellar about delivery to the nearest train station).
Click here to book a hike with tastings Corniglia–Manarola
Summer Events and « Vino e Musica » Concerts
In high season (June to August) several villages host « Vino e Musica » evenings: intimate concerts in a square or on a promontory with pop-up wine bars. Two regular spots are Piazza della Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista, 19016 Monterosso al Mare (Monterosso) for evening concerts, and Piazza Vittorio Emanuele, 19017 Riomaggiore for music-and-wine events. Programmes are usually posted by the local tourist offices.
Typical hours: concerts 20:30 – 23:30; bars open 19:00 – 01:00. Prices: most outdoor concerts are free; drinks €3–8 per glass; reserved seats for paid shows €10–25.
Immersive description: the atmosphere is relaxed and friendly. Opera-pop, jazz, folk and local bands provide the perfect soundtrack to a sunset drink on a terrace. Concerts often come with stunning backdrops: the sun sinking into the sea, terraced houses lighting up and the silhouette of boats on the horizon. Wine bars feature local selections and sometimes wine-based cocktails.
Local tips: arrive 30–45 minutes before start time to secure a seat or a good viewpoint. Bring a light jacket — evenings by the sea can cool down quickly if it’s windy. For large groups, reserve a table in one of the restaurants around the square.
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Conclusion
The Cinque Terre’s wine festivals and annual events are an invitation to meet the region at the pace of its harvests, culinary traditions and close relationship with the sea. Whether you attend Monterosso’s « Festa della Vendemmia, » taste verticals of Sciacchetrà in Manarola and Volastra, or set off on a wine-hike between Riomaggiore and Corniglia, each experience brings you closer to the people who shaped these terraced landscapes. The addresses and schedules above help you pinpoint the key gatherings: Piazza Garibaldi (Monterosso al Mare) for the harvest festival, Volastra for Sciacchetrà tastings, Piazza Marconi (Vernazza) and Piazza San Giovanni Battista (Corniglia) for local sagre, and Riomaggiore’s main squares for « Vino e Musica » evenings.
Click here to book a wine tasting with a sommelier
Final recommendations: plan visits around the train schedule (Levanto–La Spezia line), as trains are often the most convenient way to move between villages. Book in advance for vertical tastings and practical workshops, always carry water for hikes and keep cash on hand for small purchases from producers. Respect the vineyards and trails: don’t pick grapes, don’t leave litter and stick to marked paths to preserve this fragile ecosystem.
And above all, take your time. The Cinque Terre are best discovered slowly: sip a glass, let a winemaker tell you the story of their land, stroll the alleys at sunset and keep a sensory memory of the special mix of salty sea, rough stone and golden wine. These festivals are more than an excuse to taste — they’re a doorway into the soul of the Ligurian coast.
