Festa Patronale di San Giovanni Battista
The festival of the patron saint of Busto Arsizio at the summer solstice
About Festa di San Giovanni
The patron saint of Busto Arsizio
The Patronal Festival of Saint John the Baptist is the most important festival in Busto Arsizio, in the province of Varese. The saint, celebrated on June 24th, is the patron saint of the city and his festival combines the religious, civic, and popular dimensions, in a period of the year linked to the ancient traditions of the summer solstice — Saint John is indeed known as the saint of water and sun.
The Day of Thanksgiving
The institutional heart of the festival is the Day of Thanksgiving, during which the municipal administration awards civic recognition to distinguished citizens. The ceremony, usually held at Villa Ottolini-Tosi, precedes the solemn Mass in the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist, an architectural masterpiece symbolizing the city.
Rites, music, and conviviality
Among the most evocative moments are the sunrise concert with Celtic harp to greet the solstice, the traditional preparation of Saint John's water in Piazza Santa Maria, and concerts of ancient music with medieval instruments in the sanctuary. There is also the traditional dinner in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, a moment of great popular participation, accompanied by concerts and shows in the historic center.
Art and identity
The festival is also an opportunity to rediscover the city's artistic heritage: during this period, the exhibition 'Nel segno del Battista' (In the Sign of the Baptist) is held at Palazzo Marliani Cicogna, dedicated to the link between faith, art, and local identity. A set of events that makes June 24th the most heartfelt day of the year for the people of Busto.
Festa di San Giovanni — edition 2026
The Patronal Festival of Saint John the Baptist 2026 focuses around June 24th, the patron saint's day of Busto Arsizio. The main day includes the Day of Thanksgiving at Villa Ottolini-Tosi (9:30 AM) with civic awards and the solemn Mass in the Basilica of Saint John (11:30 AM). The program features the evocative sunrise concert (6:00 AM) with Celtic harp to celebrate the solstice, the traditional dinner in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II, and the exhibition 'In the Sign of the Baptist' at Palazzo Marliani Cicogna. The city's former slaughterhouse hosts some of the collateral events.
Programme Festa di San Giovanni 2026
Sunrise Concert — 6:00 AM
- Concert with Celtic harp and voice to celebrate the summer solstice, followed by breakfast
Preparation of Saint John's Water
- Traditional ritual in Piazza Santa Maria; concert of ancient music with medieval instruments in the sanctuary
June 24th — Day of Thanksgiving
- 9:30 AM — Civic awards ceremony at Villa Ottolini-Tosi
- 11:30 AM — Solemn Mass in the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist
Dinner in Piazza Vittorio Emanuele II
- Traditional dinner (reservation required) followed by a concert
Collateral Events
- Exhibition 'In the Sign of the Baptist' at Palazzo Marliani Cicogna
- Concerts, shows, and markets in the historic center; event spaces at the former slaughterhouse
Highlights Festa di San Giovanni 2026
Prices Festa di San Giovanni 2026
Practical information — Festa di San Giovanni
Where
The celebrations take place in the Basilica of Saint John the Baptist and in the historic center of Busto Arsizio (VA), with events at Villa Ottolini-Tosi and Palazzo Marliani Cicogna.
How to get there
Busto Arsizio is served by the FS and Ferrovie Nord stations and by the A8 Milan-Varese motorway.
Admission
Religious and civic events are free admission; the dinner in the piazza requires reservation and payment.
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Where does it take place — Festa di San Giovanni
Basilica di San Giovanni Battista e centro cittadino
Piazza San Giovanni, 21052 Busto Arsizio