Festa del Sol

The festival celebrating the return of the sun

The Festa del Sol is one of the most distinctive and cherished events in the Ledro Valley, Trentino. It takes place annually on the first weekend of February in Prè di Ledro, a small village within the municipality of Ledro (Province of Trento, Trentino-Alto Adige), and celebrates a natural event that holds almost ritualistic significance here: the return of the sun after nearly three months of darkness.

Due to the mountains surrounding the village, Prè remains in shadow for most of the winter. As the old local proverb goes, "Da Santa Agà el sul l'è giù per la contrà": the sun disappears around November 11th and returns to light up the village square only on February 5th, the day of Saint Agatha, after about 86 days of absence. This symbolic moment inspires the festival, which blends themes of rebirth with community conviviality.

A program of gastronomy, music, and tradition

For three days, the village transforms into a meeting place for all ages. The heart of the festival is traditional Ledro gastronomy: the star is the famous polenta cùcia prepared by the Polentari of the Ledro Valley, accompanied by carne salà, stew, and other mountain specialties. The event also features aperitifs, community dinners, and lively musical entertainment.

• Dance evenings and disco with DJs and musical entertainment on Friday and Saturday nights;
• Holy Mass accompanied by valley choirs and a short concert on Sunday morning;
• Lunch with polenta cùcia at midday;
• Dialect sketches and children's dances in the village square in the afternoon;
• Traditional craft demonstrations and local artisan displays along the village streets;
• Ballroom dancing and live music to close the festival.

A community tradition

Organized by the Circolo Acli of Prè and Biacesa with the support of the Municipality of Ledro and the collaboration of local associations, the Festa del Sol has been an unmissable event for decades for those who love Trentino folk traditions. Beyond its folkloric and gastronomic appeal, the event maintains a strong sense of solidarity and community, making every edition an authentic gathering for the residents of the Ledro Valley and its many visitors.