Festa del Vischio — Féta du Vecq
Between Celtic legend and Aosta Valley tradition, at the foot of Cly Castle
About Festa del Vischio
The flagship event of Saint-Denis
In Saint-Denis, a municipality in the middle Aosta Valley, the Festa del Vischio (in patois Féta du Vecq) is the most anticipated event of the year. Now in its 24th edition in 2025, it is organised by the Associazione culturale Il Maniero di Cly (The Keep of Cly Cultural Association) together with the Pro-loco Château de Cly (Local Tourist Board of Cly Castle) and the municipal administration, with Cly Castle providing an evocative backdrop.
Mistletoe, the sacred plant of the Celts
At the heart of the festival is mistletoe (Viscum Album), which Celtic peoples considered a sacred and magical plant, capable of healing, promoting fertility, and protecting against misfortune. Hence the mistletoe market, alongside stalls selling typical products and crafts, and the entire setting of Celtic re-enactment animated by the Clan Arpenax Valle d'Aosta, with workshops for children too.
Music, history, and medieval magic
The day weaves together music and dances of Franco-Provençal, Occitan, and Celtic tradition, Irish-Celtic concerts, medieval costume parades, historical conferences, and guided tours of Cly Castle with falconry demonstrations. As dusk falls, the most evocative moment arrives: the torchlight procession and the lighting of the Druidic bonfire, before the Celtic dinner by reservation.
An identity festival
The Festa del Vischio is much more than a Christmas market: it is the living story of a territory that reinterprets its Celtic and medieval roots. An event that is worth the journey, to immerse yourself in a unique atmosphere in the Aosta Valley landscape, between legend, alpine scenery, and community warmth.
Festa del Vischio — edition 2026
The 2026 edition, which should be the 25th, does not yet have an official date at the time of writing this sheet. However, the festival is the highlight event of Saint-Denis and is held every year during the Immaculate Conception period: the traditional date is December 8th or the closest Sunday. As December 8th falls on a Tuesday in 2026, it is likely that the festival will be held on Sunday, December 6th; the final date will be communicated by the organisers.
The established format, curated by the Associazione Il Maniero di Cly and the Pro-loco Château de Cly, is confirmed: mistletoe and typical products market, Celtic re-enactment, Franco-Provençal and Celtic music and dances, medieval costume parade, conferences, visits to Cly Castle and, in the evening, torchlight procession and Druidic bonfire.
Programme Festa del Vischio 2026
The detailed programme and the definitive date for the 2026 edition (25th) have not yet been published at the time of writing. They will be communicated by the Associazione Il Maniero di Cly and the Pro-loco Château de Cly (Facebook @visitsaintdenis).
Usual structure of the day, based on previous editions:
- From morning — mistletoe market, typical products and crafts
- Celtic re-enactment with Clan Arpenax Valle d'Aosta and workshops for children
- Guided tours of Cly Castle with falconry demonstrations
- Historical conference
- Franco-Provençal, Occitan and Celtic music and dances; Irish-Celtic concert
- Lunch and apple fritters during the day
- In the evening — torchlight procession and lighting of the Druidic bonfire; Celtic dinner by reservation
No specific date or details are anticipated here in the absence of an official announcement for 2026.
Highlights Festa del Vischio 2026
Prices Festa del Vischio 2026
Practical information — Festa del Vischio
How to get there
Saint-Denis is located in the middle Aosta Valley, above Châtillon (A5 motorway exit Châtillon-Saint-Vincent). A shuttle service between the village centre and Cly Castle is available during the festival.
When
Traditionally during the Immaculate Conception period (early December), for a whole day from morning to evening.
Prices and info
Market and activities are free to enter; Celtic dinner by reservation, some guided castle tours are free. Info: tel. +39 340 621 6982 / +39 333 799 9338; Facebook @visitsaintdenis.
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Where does it take place — Festa del Vischio
Centro di Saint-Denis e Castello di Cly