Every October, something extraordinary happens in the small city of Alba, just thirty minutes from Villa del Borgo in the heart of the Piedmont hills. The International White Truffle Fair opens its doors and for eight weeks, one of the rarest and most prized ingredients on earth takes centre stage in one of Europe’s most celebrated gastronomic events.

Now in its 96th edition, the International Alba White Truffle Fair runs from 10th October to 6th December 2026. The theme this year is Autentiche Relazioni – Authentic Relationships – a fitting tribute to the bonds that connect people to food, to territory, and to each other. It is, in every sense, a celebration of what makes this corner of Italy so extraordinary.

What is the International Alba White Truffle Fair?

The Fiera Internazionale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba began in 1929 and has grown, edition by edition, into one of the most important food and wine events anywhere in the world. It takes place each autumn in Alba, the principal city of the Langhe, and draws visitors from across Europe, Japan, the United States and beyond — all drawn by a single, extraordinary ingredient.

The white truffle of Alba, Tuber magnatum Pico, is one of the rarest naturally occurring foods on the planet. Unlike the black truffle, it cannot be cultivated. It grows wild beneath the surface of these hills, found only by the skilled hands of the Trifolao — the truffle hunter — and his trained dogs in the early hours of the morning, when the air is cool and the ground holds its secrets close. The season runs from October through December, and Alba is its undisputed capital.

What to Expect at the Fair — Key Events and Experiences

The fair is far more than a market. Across its eight weeks, it offers an extraordinary programme of events covering every dimension of the white truffle experience.

The Alba White Truffle World Market

The centrepiece of the fair. Every weekend in the Cortile della Maddalena, buyers and sellers from across Italy and the world gather to trade in white truffles. The air is extraordinary. Bring cash and an appetite.

Cooking Shows and Fine Aperitif Experiences

Some of Italy’s finest chefs take to the stage to demonstrate what the white truffle can do in skilled hands. These events sell out quickly — book well in advance.

Up Close with the Chef — A Private Cooking Experience

For those who want something more personal, this exclusive format offers a private cooking experience with a leading chef. One of the most memorable things you can do in Piedmont.

Brunch at the Taste Lab — Castle of Roddi by Chef Luigi Taglienti

The medieval Castle of Roddi, just outside Alba, hosts a spectacular brunch experience under the direction of acclaimed chef Luigi Taglienti. Remarkable food in a remarkable setting.

Alta Langa Aperitivo Magnum Premiere

A celebration of Alta Langa DOCG — the metodo classico sparkling wine grown on the high hills above Canelli — paired with the white truffle in one of the most elegant aperitif events of the Italian calendar.

Barolo Meets Rioja — Masterclass and Gala Dinner

A prestigious evening that brings together the great wines of Barolo and Rioja, explored through a formal masterclass and followed by a gala dinner. For serious wine lovers, this is essential.

Taste Workshops

Shorter, more accessible sessions exploring the truffle and the wines of the territory. A wonderful introduction for first-time visitors.

Cooking Classes

Hands-on sessions in which you learn to cook with white truffle under expert guidance. Enormously popular with international visitors.

Folklore and the Donkey Palio

The Fair has always been about more than food. The folkloric events — including the famous Donkey Palio, a lively race through the streets of Alba — are a joyful reminder that this is a community celebration as much as a gastronomic one.

Alba Truffle Kids

A programme of events designed specifically for younger visitors, introducing the next generation to the extraordinary culture of the white truffle.

Nativity Nights

As December arrives and the Fair enters its final weeks, the city of Alba takes on a magical quality. The Nativity Nights events bring together the warmth of the Christmas season with the last truffles of the year — an experience unlike anything else in the Italian calendar.