Ferragosto Festival and Feast of Saint Roch

The Ferragosto Festival on Lake Maggiore

In Porto Valtravaglia, a municipality in the province of Varese overlooking Lake Maggiore, Ferragosto is not just a holiday: it's the festival par excellence. The Ferragosto Festival, organized by the Pro Loco with the patronage of the Municipality, enlivens the lakefront and the picturesque Piazza Imbarcadero for several days, where the comings and goings of boats and ferries provide a backdrop for food stalls, stages, and market stands.

Lake Fish Takes Center Stage

The common thread of the festival is local cuisine, particularly lake fish: mixed fried fish, bleak, grilled fish, and other specialties served in the large food stalls, alongside risottos, grilled meats, and the inevitable fried frogs. It's simple, popular cuisine that tells the story of a village that grew around water and fishing.

Music, Dancing, and Religious Tradition

Every evening, the stage features concerts and tribute bands ranging from Italian rock classics to 70s-90s pop music, alternating with Latin dance nights with DJs and entertainment groups. The most heartfelt moment remains the procession of the Assumption, which on August 15th parades from the Old Port, bringing the community together in an ancient and participatory rite.

Saint Roch and the Fireworks on the Lake

The festival culminates on August 16th with the Feast of Saint Roch: in the afternoon, the famous Greased Pole competition on the lake takes place, a game of balance and fun suspended over the water, while the day ends with the grand fireworks display that illuminates the sky and reflects in Lake Maggiore. It's the iconic image of the festival, the moment when the whole town looks up.

A Village Event

While remaining a community festival, the Porto Valtravaglia Ferragosto Festival has become part of Lombardy's summer festival calendar, attracting visitors from neighboring towns on the Lombard shore of the lake and from the Luinese area. An opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Lake Maggiore away from the most crowded destinations.