Eight weeks of truffle season
Alba gives the autumn over to one ingredient. From October 10 to December 6, 2026, this brick-red town in the Langhe hills hosts the International White Truffle Fair, the yearly event built around Tuber magnatum Pico, the white truffle of Alba.
The fair dates back to the late 1920s. It covers three things the announcement promises: cooking demonstrations, historical reenactments and truffles sold by the pound. It runs across several weekends, so you can plan around a free Saturday rather than one fixed day.
Inside the truffle market
The centre of the fair is the market, the Mercato Mondiale del Tartufo Bianco d’Alba. Traditionally it sits in the Cortile della Maddalena, a courtyard off Via Vittorio Emanuele, the pedestrian street locals call Via Maestra. Confirm the venue and entry arrangements on the official site, fieradeltartufo.org.
Inside, sellers lay knobbly, pale truffles on cloth or under glass, each one weighed in front of you. You are encouraged to lean in and smell before you buy. A good white truffle is firm and gives off a strong, garlicky, earthy scent.
Things to look for at the stalls:
- Truffles sold whole and priced by weight on scales at the counter
- Inspection by the fair’s quality commission, which checks what goes on sale
- Truffle-based products: sauces, butters, honey, salt
- Local Langhe produce such as hazelnuts and cheeses
Around the fair: the town itself
Step outside the market and Alba keeps going. The old centre is compact and walkable, with medieval towers rising above the rooftops and the Duomo di San Lorenzo on Piazza Risorgimento.
The historical reenactments put the town’s medieval past on its streets, with costumed processions through the centre. The Palio degli Asini, a tongue-in-cheek donkey race, is part of the fair’s tradition. Check the official programme for which events fall on which weekend.
Cooking shows bring chefs onto a stage to work with truffle in front of an audience. Expect the region’s classics: thin egg pasta and soft-cooked eggs, both made to carry shaved truffle.
Eating truffle the Piedmont way
Restaurants across Alba and the surrounding villages put truffle on the menu throughout the fair. The method is simple. A plain dish arrives, and the waiter shaves fresh truffle over it at the table with a slicer.
Dishes to look for on menus:
- Tajarin: thin, egg-rich Piedmontese pasta with butter
- Uovo al tegamino: a fried egg in a small pan
- Fonduta: a melted cheese sauce, often made with Fontina
- Carne cruda: hand-chopped raw veal, a Piedmont staple
Truffle is usually charged by the gram on top of the dish price. The menu or your waiter will tell you how it is priced.
How the truffle trade works in Alba
A few habits make your visit smoother.
Book your table. Fair weekends fill the town’s restaurants, so reserve dinner ahead, especially on Saturdays.
Ask before you shave. If truffle is charged by weight, ask how much the waiter plans to shave. Some places weigh the truffle before and after.
Buy for the next few days. A fresh white truffle loses its scent fast. Wrap it in kitchen paper, keep it in a closed jar in the fridge and eat it within days. Check your home country’s rules before packing one for a flight.
Learn the words. Tartufo bianco is white truffle; tartufo nero is black. A trifolau is a truffle hunter, who searches the woods at night with a trained dog.
Pair it with local wine. Alba sits between the Barolo and Barbaresco areas. A glass of Nebbiolo or Dolcetto d’Alba is the usual match.
Getting to Alba
Alba lies in the province of Cuneo, south of Turin. Turin is the nearest major city and Turin Airport the closest large airport. Regional trains reach Alba station, usually with a change at Bra, and the station is a short walk from the old centre.
Driving gives you the most freedom to explore the Langhe villages, such as Barolo, La Morra and Barbaresco. On fair weekends, expect old-town streets to be pedestrianised and parking to fill up. Many visitors stay in the countryside and come into town by day.
Confirm timing, programme and tickets on the official site before you travel.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Alba International White Truffle Fair in 2026?
It runs from October 10 to December 6, 2026, with most events on the weekends in between. Check exact dates and the weekend programme on the official site, fieradeltartufo.org.
Where is the truffle market held?
The market is traditionally in the Cortile della Maddalena, a courtyard off Via Vittorio Emanuele in Alba's old centre. Check the venue and entry details on the official site.
How do I get to Alba without a car?
Take a regional train from Turin, usually changing at Bra. Alba station is a short walk from the old town. Turin Airport is the nearest large airport.
How long should I spend at the fair?
Half a day covers the market and the old centre. Stay a full weekend to add a truffle dinner, a cooking show and a trip to the Barolo and Barbaresco villages nearby.
Can I take a fresh truffle home?
A fresh white truffle keeps only a few days, so eat it soon. Wrap it in paper, keep it in a closed jar in the fridge, and check your home country's import rules before you fly.
Plan your trip to Alba
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