Alba White Truffle Fair 2026

The Fiera del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba is the world’s largest white truffle market, running every Saturday and Sunday from early October through late November in the Piedmontese town of Alba. The white truffle (Tuber magnatum Pico) found in the Langhe hills around Alba is the most prized and expensive truffle variety in the world, and the fair has been running since 1928 — making it one of Italy’s most enduring food festivals.

What happens at the fair

The main market is held inside a large pavilion near the town centre, where certified trifolao (truffle hunters) and licensed dealers display their finds. Truffles are sold by weight — prices fluctuate weekly based on the season’s yield, but white truffles from Alba routinely sell for EUR 3,000 to EUR 5,000 per kilogram. Alongside the truffle market, you will find producers of Barolo, Barbaresco, Moscato d’Asti, and Dolcetto alongside local hazelnuts, cheeses, and cured meats.

The fair hosts live truffle auctions at which single specimens are sold to international buyers, sometimes breaking EUR 10,000 for an exceptional piece. A dedicated food court inside the pavilion serves tajarin (Piedmontese egg pasta) with shaved truffle, vitello tonnato, and bagna cauda. Cooking demonstrations run throughout the day on weekends.

Each year the fair names an honorary celebrity ambassador — past years have included chefs, musicians, and world leaders — and an opening parade with costumed pageantry moves through Alba’s medieval streets on the first weekend.

Practical information

The pavilion opens on market days from around 09:00 to 19:00. Entry to the pavilion costs approximately EUR 4 to EUR 6; check the official Fiera del Tartufo website (fieradeltartufo.org) for 2026 pricing. The surrounding streets are free to walk and filled with food stalls, wine tastings, and artisan vendors.

Alba sits in the Langhe hills of Piedmont, around 60 km south of Turin. The fastest route from Turin is by train to Bra followed by a connecting bus to Alba (total journey around 1.5 hours). Direct coaches from Turin’s Porta Nuova also run on fair weekends. By car from Milan, allow around 2 hours via the A26 and A21 motorways. Parking fills quickly on peak Saturdays — arriving before 10:00 is strongly advised.

Book accommodation in Alba months in advance; rooms in the town sell out across the entire fair season. Surrounding villages such as La Morra, Barolo, and Grinzane Cavour offer quieter alternatives with easy road access.

The peak weeks for truffle quality and atmosphere are typically mid-October through mid-November. Early October truffles tend to be smaller; late November brings the season’s most fragrant specimens. Wear layers — Alba mornings in October and November are cold, and the outdoor sections of the fair are exposed to the elements.

For more on timing your visit around Italian seasonal highlights, see our guide to Italy in October and our Italy festivals calendar.