Exhibitor Information – EuroBean on the Road Bolzano 2027

At Whitsun 2027, EuroBean is going on a trip: from 15 to 17 May 2027, the EuroBean Chocolate Festival takes place outside Germany for the first time – in the historic Maretsch Castle in Bolzano (South Tyrol, Italy). We are inviting 13 chocolate makers to present their bean-to-bar chocolate in a deliberately compact, curated edition: with plenty of time for conversation and exchange with visitors and fellow makers from across Europe.

Our local host is Karuna Chocolate from nearby Chiusa (Klausen). Our colleagues at Karuna make organic bean-to-bar chocolate in South Tyrol with great passion, and they know Bolzano, the castle and the people here better than anyone. They are responsible for all on-site matters, from set-up to dismantling. So you are in good hands and will feel at home in no time.

This page covers the key information for applying as an exhibitor. Terms and details are provided during registration and after admission.

Register now as a chocolate maker

At a glance

• When: Saturday, 15 May to Monday, 17 May 2027 (Whitsun weekend)
• Where: Maretsch Castle (Castel Mareccio), Via Claudia de' Medici 12, 39100 Bolzano
• Places: 13 chocolate makers – 7 places in category A, 6 places in category B
• Registration deadline: 31 January 2027
• Organiser: EuroBean UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
• Local host: Karuna Chocolate from nearby Chiusa (Klausen)

Why Bolzano?

Bolzano combines Alpine and Mediterranean lifestyle. Maretsch Castle sits in the middle of the city, a few minutes' walk from the old town and surrounded by vineyards. The Renaissance complex with its glass-roofed courtyard, historic halls and garden is an exceptional setting for a festival that celebrates craft and tradition.

The festival is built around Meet the Maker, Bean to Bar, Fairness and Organic: personal encounters between makers and visitors, craft production, transparent supply chains and sustainable cocoa growing. The sales fair is complemented by tastings, talks and workshops. The EuroBean Chocolate Festival has been running since 2016 – Bolzano is the first stop of EuroBean on the Road.

Registration timeline

Date	Step
since 27 Oct 2026	Registration open via the online form
15 Dec 2026	First selection
31 Jan 2027	Registration deadline
15 Feb 2027	Final line-up

Places are limited and awarded on a curated basis – quality over quantity. We look for a mix of international and local chocolate makers, true bean-to-bar production and transparent cocoa sourcing. Registering does not guarantee a place. Once admitted, you will receive all contract documents and terms.

Register as a chocolate maker

Booth categories

	Category A	Category B
Places	7	6
Location	Courtyard, ground floor	Upper floor
Table space	approx. 3.2–4.0 m²	approx. 2.5–3.0 m²

Also taking part: caterers and marketplace

Besides the chocolate makers, there are places in the castle's garden for high-quality food and drink (caterers) and for complementary products such as food, crafts or specialist literature (marketplace). The registration form for these follows; feel free to get in touch beforehand if you are interested.

Schedule

Set-up	Friday, 14 May 2027, 3:00–7:00 pm, and Saturday, 15 May 2027, until 10:00 am
Opening hours	Saturday 11:00 am–6:30 pm · Sunday 10:00 am–6:30 pm · Monday 10:00 am–5:00 pm
Dismantling	Monday, 17 May 2027, from 5:00 pm

Times are subject to confirmation with the castle. Admitted exhibitors receive all details in the exhibitor briefing.

Festival programme: tastings, talks, workshops

The festival offers tastings, talks and workshops in two rooms of the castle. If you would like to run a tasting or workshop, please get in touch; category A chocolate makers have priority when free slots are allocated.

Good to know

• Selling at your booth: You sell your chocolate directly at your booth.
• Languages: German and Italian are both spoken in Bolzano; the festival is international.
• Accessibility and animals: According to the operator, the castle is only partially accessible for people with reduced mobility, and animals are not allowed under the castle's rules.

Getting there and accommodation

Maretsch Castle is close to the city centre, on the Talfer promenade. There is a paid public car park right next to the castle, which can be very busy at Whitsun. Timetables for trains and buses in South Tyrol are available from Südtirol Mobil.

Whitsun is a popular travel period in South Tyrol, so we recommend booking accommodation early, for example via Bolzano Tourism. For more on the castle, getting there and the city, see our page for visitors to Bolzano.

Register now

Are you a chocolate maker and want to be part of it? Register by 31 January 2027 – the earlier, the better.

Register as a chocolate maker

Organiser and partners

EuroBean on the Road is organised by EuroBean UG (haftungsbeschränkt) together with our local host Karuna Chocolate from nearby Chiusa (Klausen). Without our colleagues at Karuna, this festival in South Tyrol would not be possible: they are responsible for all on-site matters and are there to support you.