Festa Patronale di Sant'Alessandro
The festival of the patron saint of Pieve Emanuele, with the Sagra del Riso e della Polenta
About Festa di Sant'Alessandro
The Patron Saint and the Agricultural Roots of Pieve Emanuele
The Festa Patronale di Sant'Alessandro is the festival of the patron saint of Pieve Emanuele, a municipality south of Milan in the Metropolitan City of Milan. Sant'Alessandro's day is August 26th, but the solemn celebrations traditionally take place in September, when the community comes together for the most cherished festival of the year.
The event is jointly organised by the Municipal Administration and the Pastoral Community of the Annunciation, and has a soul deeply connected to the countryside. Pieve Emanuele is a land of rice paddies and farming tradition, and the festival showcases this, primarily through its food.
The Sagra del Riso e della Polenta
The most popular event is the Sagra del Riso e della Polenta: risotto and polenta, the most typical products of Lombard cuisine, are served during the festival days alongside 'salamella' (sausage) and French fries. A rich program unfolds around the food: the solemn Sunday morning mass, the Palio dei Quartieri, concerts and DJ sets, games in the square, a community breakfast, exhibitions — including a photographic exhibition dedicated to the rice tradition — and the 'albero della cuccagna' for the little ones.
It is a festival that intertwines devotion, agricultural identity, and the desire to be together, offering visitors an authentic portrait of life in the towns south of Milan.
Festa di Sant'Alessandro — edition 2026
The Festa Patronale di Sant'Alessandro returns to Pieve Emanuele in 2026 as an annual recurrence, with the solemn September celebrations and the usual Sagra del Riso e della Polenta. At present, the precise dates and program have not yet been published. The festival is jointly organised by the Municipal Administration and the Pastoral Community of the Annunciation.
Programme Festa di Sant'Alessandro 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality of Pieve Emanuele and the Pastoral Community closer to the event. Based on recent editions, the festival typically includes:
- Solemn Sunday morning mass in honour of Sant'Alessandro
- Sagra del Riso e della Polenta with risotto, polenta, 'salamella', and French fries
- Palio dei Quartieri
- Concerts, DJ sets, and games in the square
- Community breakfast and 'albero della cuccagna' for children
- Exhibitions, including a photographic exhibition dedicated to the rice tradition
Dates and the full schedule will be released on the Municipality's channels.
Highlights Festa di Sant'Alessandro 2026
The Sagra del Riso e della Polenta and the Palio dei Quartieri, the popular heart of the patron saint festival.
Prices Festa di Sant'Alessandro 2026
Practical information — Festa di Sant'Alessandro
When
September, around the third weekend of the month (with celebrations and the Sagra del Riso e della Polenta lasting several days).
Where
Centre of Pieve Emanuele (MI).
How to get there
Pieve Emanuele is located in the southern part of Milan. By car from the SS35 dei Giovi or the Tangenziale Ovest (Western Ring Road); by train on the suburban line S13 (Milan-Pavia), Pieve Emanuele stop.
Admission
Free.
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Where does it take place — Festa di Sant'Alessandro
Centro di Pieve Emanuele