Top Festival Returns to Cortona: Two Days Celebrating Local Food Excellence

Cortona's city administration has confirmed the Top Festival for 2026, the event celebrating the area's finest food, wine and local products. It will return on September 19 and 20 to the squares of the historic center, preceded by a gala dinner on Via Nazionale on Friday, September 18. Conceived and organized by Confcommercio, the event was confirmed after the success of its first edition.

At a glance:

• Dates: September 19–20, 2026 (gala dinner Friday, September 18)
• Location: historic center squares of Cortona (AR) and Via Nazionale
• Organized by: Confcommercio, in partnership with the Municipality of Cortona
• Format: a showcase of Cortona's finest local food and production excellence

What Is Top Festival

The festival's name already captures its mission: T.O.P., short for Territorio Origine Prodotti (Territory, Origin, Products), is a format designed to promote local production and connect Cortona's businesses — giving space not only to well-known excellence but also to lesser-known, original producers united by one common thread: quality.

Confirmed after last year's successful debut, the event continues to serve as a showcase that builds synergy between businesses, institutions and the community, strengthening the area's identity and competitiveness.

One Weekend, Two Days, One Big Celebration

The program opens Friday, September 18, with the gala dinner on Via Nazionale — a highlight that was especially well received in 2025 and returns this year. On Saturday the 19th and Sunday the 20th, the historic center comes alive with Top Festival stalls filling the squares, offering tastings, local specialties, and the chance to meet the area's producers face to face.

The timing on the calendar is no accident: it's the weekend immediately following Cortonantiquaria, a particularly strategic moment to reach the international visitors who fill the city during those days.

Voices Behind the Initiative

"Confcommercio continues to organize and support events that create synergy between businesses, institutions and the community, helping to strengthen our area's identity and competitiveness by showcasing our excellence," says Jacopo Canestrelli, head of the Confcommercio Valdichiana delegation. "Thanks go to the city administration, which believed in the project from the start: we're confident Cortona Top Festival will keep growing."

"We decided to confirm this event, through which Cortona celebrates some of its most interesting and lesser-known excellences," explains Mayor Luciano Meoni. "We chose a date on the calendar particularly geared toward international tourism [...] We're also confirming the gala dinner, which was especially well received in 2025."

"Top Festival has proven to be a fresh and compelling showcase for local businesses, as well as for the agricultural sector," adds Councillor for Productive Activities Paolo Rossi. "This year we aim to strengthen teamwork even further [...] giving space to what's new, to original productions, to lesser-known ones — all united by great quality."

Where to Stay for the Weekend

Villa Santa Margherita is just a few minutes from Cortona's historic center, an ideal base for enjoying both days of Top Festival and Friday's gala dinner without giving up the relaxation of the Tuscan countryside. Discover our rooms and the offers available for the weekend of September 18–20.