The patron of Calliano is the Santissimo Nome di Maria (Most Holy Name of Mary), celebrated on the weekend of the third Sunday of October. Calliano stands out for its Palio degli asini (donkey Palio), known as the «Paglio ragliante» (the braying Palio), which as a rule is run every year in October: in the municipal sferisterio, commonly called piazza del Palio, the race is contested between donkeys and grooms representing the ten districts of Calliano.
Calliano is also known for its agnolotti d'asino, a particularly renowned variant of Piedmontese agnolotti, with a filling of pure donkey meat. During the year there are two festivals: at the end of June the agnolotto d'asino festival and at the end of August the stufato (stew) festival; every year the pro loco also takes part in the Festival delle sagre astigiane.
