In the mountainous villages of Rodavgi and Pistiana, the local cultural associations and the Municipality of Arta organize the Chestnut and Tsipouro Festival.

In mid October thousands of people gather in these villages in order to enjoy a traditional party with dancing, songs and dance groups from associations from all over Greece. Roasted and boiled chestnuts, chestnut soup, pancakes and tsipouro have a field day.

Tsipouro, pancakes and chestnut soup are offered for free to every visitor. Tsipouro of Arta is a very special product, since it is distilled from one and only local variety of grapes, namely “zambela”.

On the eve of the Festival, the locals organize the “Path of the Chestnut” – a trekking from the primary school of Pistiana to the square of Rodavgi.

Besides, during the day before the Festival the inhabitants of the village gather in the square in order to prepare the chestnuts, while singing folk songs.