If you are planning a chestnut-festival trip in Sardinia this autumn, put two different weekends in your calendar: Aritzo on 24–25 October 2026 and Desulo on 31 October–1 November 2026. The dates are supported by municipal sources. Neither event begins on the upcoming weekend of 10–11 October, so an early-October visit should not be planned around an assumed festival opening.
Aritzo is the more direct match for a search about chestnuts: its event is explicitly the Sagra delle Castagne e delle Nocciole, celebrating chestnuts and hazelnuts. Desulo’s La Montagna Produce is a broader celebration of mountain products and local culture. They offer related autumn themes, but they are separate events rather than two locations of the same festival.
Aritzo: 24–25 October 2026
Aritzo’s official municipal noticeboard records a council decision organising the chestnut and hazelnut festival for Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October. A second municipal funding record, published on 2 October, repeats those dates. These administrative records are a stronger basis for booking than an undated event summary.
The municipal website identifies the 2026 celebration as the 54th edition. Its published material includes participation arrangements for the event. For the confirmed dates, consult the official council record.
The verified dates establish when to go; they do not establish a complete visitor timetable. No detailed official schedule was confirmed for this guide. Before deciding your arrival time, look for the organisers’ final programme, parking instructions and any temporary road arrangements. Do not assume that a concert, guided walk or tasting described in an older edition will return at the same hour.
If chestnuts are the main reason for travelling, Aritzo is the clearest choice between these two events. You can keep the day centred on the village celebration, with time to browse rather than booking several activities that depend on an unconfirmed schedule. Ask sellers about prices before ordering and leave space in your plans for lunch.
Desulo: 31 October–1 November 2026
The Comune di Desulo’s 2026 announcement, updated on 1 October, confirms La Montagna Produce for Saturday 31 October and Sunday 1 November. It names this as the 35th edition, organised by the municipality with the Pro Loco.
The announcement places this year’s focus in the historic Issiria quarter, with traditional crafts and representations of everyday village life. It also names the Montanaru literary prize among the principal events. That wider cultural programme is why Desulo should be described as more than a chestnut fair.
Use the year-specific announcement when planning. An older municipal information page describes a general 31 October–2 November pattern, but the current 2026 notice specifies two days. Do not extend your festival booking to Monday 2 November on the strength of that older description.
The municipal information-point page lists montagnaproducedesulo@gmail.com and 0784 619880 for enquiries. Confirm that these contacts are handling the current programme, and ask about visitor access, event times and any arrangements relevant to your group.
Make the mountain weekend comfortable
Choose your date before choosing accommodation. If you want both events, they require visits on successive weekends rather than a single Saturday-and-Sunday circuit. For a short holiday, deciding between a food-focused Aritzo visit and Desulo’s broader programme may produce a more relaxed itinerary.
Check the local weather close to departure and bring layers, a rain jacket and shoes suited to village walking. Do not plan clothing around beach temperatures elsewhere in Sardinia. If you are travelling with a pushchair or have mobility needs, ask about the route through the event area, gradients and accessible parking before you book.
Allow flexibility for driving and parking without assuming a festival shuttle exists. Download your route, save the accommodation address and avoid promising yourself a precise return time based solely on a navigation estimate. If you plan to drink wine, arrange a driver or an overnight stay in advance.
The most useful autumn plan starts with the confirmed dates: Aritzo on 24–25 October, followed by Desulo on 31 October–1 November. Check the final programme before leaving, then give the village, the food and the people enough time to become the day’s experience.
