Festival · Emilia-Romagna and Mantua
Caseifici Aperti: Open Dairy Weekend
Caseifici Aperti is the Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium's open-dairy weekend. In 2026 it took place on Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 May, with 53 dairies taking part across the provinces of Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Mantua and Bologna. The 2027 date has not been announced.
- 2026
- 23 to 24 May
- Dairies
- 53
- Organiser
- Parmigiano Reggiano Consortium
Dates
The next dates have not been announced yet. It last ran 23 May 2026 to 24 May 2026.
Where the Dairies Were
In 2026: 19 in the province of Parma, 12 in Reggio Emilia, 12 in Modena, 6 in Mantua south of the Po and 4 in Bologna. Maps were handed out at local tourist offices, and visits could also be booked on the Consortium's website.
What Happens
Dairies show the cheese being made, open their cowsheds and ageing rooms, crack open wheels and serve lunches and tastings, some led by Parmigiano tasting experts. In 2026, 21 dairies ran themed events, from live music and children's workshops to fitness sessions at Caseificio Il Boiardo in Scandiano. Two dairies branded wheels with fire, and Società Agricola Montorsi in Modena cooked over a wood fire.
Bologna Off
For the first time, Bologna hosted an off-site event in the Giardini Margherita park, with cooking shows, children's workshops, wheel openings and guided tastings, and a shuttle out to two dairies, Caretti and Bazzanese.
The Rest of the Year
The Consortium's stated aim is for dairies to welcome visitors every day of the year, and tours can be booked any time. See the dairies near Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna.
Cheeses to Taste Here
More in Italy
All of Italy
Parmesan Dairy Tours
Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena and Bologna, Italy
Book a morning dairy tour through the Consortium, from about €15.
Parmesan Dairy Tours Near Parma
Parma, Italy
Eight dairies, two on a city bus line, tours from €18.
Parmesan Dairy Tours Near Reggio Emilia
Reggio Emilia, Italy
Red cow Parmigiano, a 23,000-wheel warehouse and mountain cheese.
Parmesan Dairy Tours Near Modena
Modena, Italy
4 Madonne, organic Bio Reggiani and farm dairies, from €15.
Parmesan Tour From Bologna
Bologna, Italy
Bazzanese, mountain dairies and organic Parmigiano within reach of Bologna.
Parmigiano Reggiano Museum
Fontevivo, Italy
The Parmesan museum, now in a former church in Fontevivo, €5.
Questions People Ask
When is Caseifici Aperti?
In 2026 it was on 23 and 24 May. The 2027 date has not been published yet.
Do you need to book for Caseifici Aperti?
Visits for the weekend could be booked on the Consortium's website in 2026, and each dairy published its own programme of tours, lunches and tastings.
Official site: parmigianoreggiano.com/it/news/caseifici-aperti-2026. Dates, hours and prices checked 22 October 2026; confirm on the official site before you travel. See all cheese festivals.