Festa di Sant'Eusebio

A tradition spanning centuries

The Festa di Sant'Eusebio is the heart of summer in Casciago, a small hillside town in the Province of Varese overlooking the lake and the Lombard Prealps. For two days, between July 31st and August 1st, the entire village gathers around the parish church dedicated to the patron saint, blending popular devotion, ancient rites, and moments of great conviviality.

The votive balloon, the rite that opens the festival

The most anticipated moment is the lighting of the votive balloon on the evening of July 31st. This is a large globe made of flammable material, hung outside the church, which is set ablaze in memory of the saint's martyrdom. The fire is not just any fire: it is collected in Vercelli, the city of which Sant'Eusebio was the first bishop and where his relics are kept, and brought to Casciago with a torchlight relay. When the flames engulf the balloon in front of the crowd, the festival officially begins.

The procession and the auction of the stretchers

The following day, August 1st, the morning is marked by solemn masses, while in the afternoon the renowned procession of the stretchers winds through the town streets: groups of faithful carry decorated structures adorned with colourful garlands and laden with gifts offered by the community. At the end, the auction is held, a charity auction conducted strictly in dialect, the proceeds of which are donated to the parish. It is one of the most characteristic and identity-defining moments of the Casciago festival.

Fireworks and food stalls

Closing the day, late in the evening, the fireworks display on the large meadow of Sant'Eusebio illuminates the Varesotto sky and attracts thousands of spectators from neighbouring towns. Throughout the festival, the food stalls remain open, offering typical dishes, music, and the atmosphere of a genuine village fair, where local associations and the entire pastoral community of Barasso, Casciago, Luvinate, and Morosolo dedicate themselves to tradition.