Festa Patronale di Santa Maria della Neve
The patronal festival of Boffalora sopra Ticino, featuring a Marian procession on the Naviglio canal and the Palio delle Contrade (Districts' Race)
About Festa della Madonna della Neve
The Patron Saint Linked to the Naviglio
The Festa Patronale di Santa Maria della Neve is the most important celebration in Boffalora sopra Ticino, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Milan. The Madonna della Neve (Our Lady of the Snows), commemorated on August 5th, is the town's patron saint, and her festival is profoundly intertwined with the history of the Naviglio Grande: according to tradition, the excavation of the canal that forever shaped the village began on the feast day of the Madonna della Neve.
The Marian Procession on the Naviglio
The heart of the festival is the evocative Marian procession along the Naviglio, which unfolds at dusk with the recitation of the Holy Rosary. It is a moment of great intensity, where water, faith, and community merge into one of Boffalora's most characteristic scenes. The procession is followed by "la Nevicata" (the Snowfall), the traditional ice cream distributed on the church steps.
The Palio delle Contrade
Alongside the religious dimension, the festival thrives on popular spirit with the Palio delle Contrade: races and challenges involving the different districts of the town, from non-competitive runs to skill tests, culminating in the spectacular Cuccagna sul Naviglio (Greased Pole Competition on the Naviglio). Awards celebrate the teams that have distinguished themselves through creativity and commitment.
A Community Festival
Between Vespers, Solemn Mass, community dinners in the parish hall, and games, the Festa di Santa Maria della Neve is the major summer event that brings Boffalora together: a blend of sport, culture, and faith celebrating the identity of the village on the Naviglio.
Festa della Madonna della Neve — edition 2026
The 2026 Festa Patronale di Santa Maria della Neve in Boffalora sopra Ticino maintains its traditional timing between late July and the first Sunday of August, around the feast day of the Madonna della Neve on August 5th.
The program, published annually by the parish and municipality in the weeks leading up to the festival, includes the solemn Marian procession along the Naviglio with the recitation of the Rosary, religious services, the Palio delle Contrade with its races, and the spectacular Cuccagna sul Naviglio.
Programme Festa della Madonna della Neve 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be published by the parish and municipality in the weeks preceding the festival. Based on the traditional structure, the following are expected:
- Non-competitive race for the districts' children's palio
- Vespers of the Virgin in church with a supplication to the Madonna della Neve
- Marian procession along the Naviglio with recitation of the Holy Rosary, followed by "la Nevicata" on the church steps
- Solemn Mass of the Madonna della Neve
- Cuccagna sul Naviglio and Palio delle Contrade awards ceremony
- Community dinner in the parish hall
Highlights Festa della Madonna della Neve 2026
Prices Festa della Madonna della Neve 2026
Practical information — Festa della Madonna della Neve
When
Traditionally between the last week of July and the first Sunday of August, around the feast day of the Madonna della Neve (August 5th). The detailed program is published by the parish and the municipality in the preceding weeks.
Where
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve (Church of Our Lady of the Snows), parish hall, and banks of the Naviglio Grande in Boffalora sopra Ticino (MI).
Admission
Free. Community dinners in the parish hall may require booking.
How to get there
Boffalora sopra Ticino is reachable by car from the SS11 (Marcallo-Mesero exit) and by train from Magenta and Marcallo-Mesero stations, on the Milan-Turin line.
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Where does it take place — Festa della Madonna della Neve
Chiesa di Santa Maria della Neve e Naviglio Grande