Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot
The patronal feast of Valmadrera, between faith, bonfires, and tradition
About Saint Anthony Abbot
The patron saint's festival in Valmadrera
In Valmadrera, a municipality in the province of Lecco overlooking the eastern branch of Lake Como, the Festival of Saint Anthony Abbot is the event that opens the year and brings the entire community together around its patron saint. The celebrations focus on the weekend closest to January 17th, the liturgical anniversary of the hermit saint, and blend the religious dimension with popular rites that have accompanied this date for generations.
Liturgies, community, and tradition
The program opens with a prayer vigil in the parish church and continues with solemn masses, including one particularly dedicated to the town's young people and families. Alongside the services, the festival comes alive with convivial moments: the risotto in the oratory, which precedes the highly anticipated evening bonfire, and the opportunity to climb the bell tower to admire Valmadrera from above.
The procession and the concert
Sunday is the heart of the solemnity, with the service presided over by a bishop and the prayer of entrustment of the community to Saint Anthony, accompanied by the offering of wax. The day concludes with a concert by the Santa Cecilia Musical Corps and the presentation of awards to the associations that animate the life of the town. The festival is organized by the parish of Valmadrera, in the province of Lecco.
Saint Anthony Abbot — edition 2026
The celebrations for the patron saint of Valmadrera take place from January 15th to 18th, 2026, with the heart of the festival on the weekend of the 17th and 18th. This year, the community also rediscovers the 17th-century bell tower, which has undergone a restoration intervention presented during the festivities.
Programme Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Thursday, January 15th
- Prayer vigil for peace and the intercession of Saint Anthony in the parish church
- Evening presentation of the restoration work on the 17th-century bell tower, with an artistic and architectural video
Saturday, January 17th
- 10:30 AM — Holy Mass with priests connected to Valmadrera by birth or ministry
- Afternoon — Visits to the bell tower
- 6:00 PM — Holy Mass dedicated to the young people and families of the community
- Evening — Saint Anthony's Bonfire
- 8:30 PM — Saint Anthony's Bonfire
Sunday, January 18th
- Morning — Solemn service presided over by Monsignor Flavio Pace
- 3:30 PM — Prayer of entrustment of the community to Saint Anthony with the offering of wax
- 4:30 PM — Concert by the Santa Cecilia Musical Corps
During the festival, awards will be presented to three local associations.
Highlights Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Prices Saint Anthony Abbot 2026
Practical information — Saint Anthony Abbot
When
Mid-January, on the weekend closest to January 17th (anniversary of Saint Anthony Abbot).
Where
Parish church and oratory of Valmadrera (LC), on the Lecco branch of Lake Como.
How to get there
Valmadrera is a few kilometers from Lecco, reachable by car from the SS36 and by public transport from Lecco.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anthony Abbot
Chiesa parrocchiale di Sant'Antonio Abate