Folklore Weekend
Two days of traditional costumes, dances, and parades in the heart of Valle Vigezzo
About Folklore Weekend
The Folklore Weekend in Santa Maria Maggiore
In the heart of Valle Vigezzo, known as the "valley of painters," the town of Santa Maria Maggiore (Province of Verbano-Cusio-Ossola, Piedmont) hosts the Folklore Weekend every late June. This early summer staple celebrates the folk traditions and identity of this corner of the Ossola region, officially recognized as an 'Orange Flag' village by the Italian Touring Club.
The origins of the festival
The event was established in 2022 to celebrate the centenary of the Gruppo Folkloristico della Valle Vigezzo, the historic association that has preserved and passed down the valley's costumes, dances, and music for generations. Since that milestone, the event has evolved into a festive weekend that attracts folk groups from all over Italy and the nearby Swiss cantons.
The heart of the event: the grand parade
The highlight is the grand Sunday parade: nearly 400 participants in traditional attire set off from Piazza Gennari, winding through Via Benefattori, Piazza Risorgimento, and the entire historic center in a procession of colors, intricate embroidery, and vintage headgear. The groups are accompanied by the sounds of the valley's brass bands, turning the streets of Santa Maria Maggiore into an open-air stage.
Dances, re-enactments, and flavors
The program goes beyond the parade. Throughout the village streets, you will find folk dancing and singing, historical re-enactments like that of the Milizia Tradizionale di Calasca, evening performances in the Villa Antonia Park, and opportunities to taste typical Vigezzo products—most notably the famous stinchèet, the traditional thin, crispy wafers. The festival often coincides with the opening of the village's summer exhibitions dedicated to fashion, costume, and art.
Why it's worth the trip
The Folklore Weekend is much more than a simple costume parade: it is an opportunity to discover an alpine village of rare beauty, nestled in the nature of Valle Vigezzo, and to experience a living, participatory tradition where every costume tells a story and every dance represents a piece of collective memory. An authentic, free experience suitable for the whole family in the heart of the Piedmontese summer.
Folklore Weekend — edition 2026
The 5th edition of the Folklore Weekend brings Santa Maria Maggiore to life on June 27 and 28, 2026, confirming this appointment dedicated to the traditional heritage of Valle Vigezzo. Alongside the grand Sunday parade, the program offers folk dancing and singing in the square, a historical re-enactment, evening shows in the Villa Antonia Park, and the inauguration of the exhibition "Ornamenta. The taste for beauty between valleys and villas," dedicated to vintage fashion and costume, which will remain open until All Saints' Day. There will also be tastings of the typical Vigezzo stinchèet.
Programme Folklore Weekend 2026
Saturday, June 27
- 10:00 AM — Walk through the historic center in traditional attire by members of the Gruppo Folkloristico Valle Vigezzo
- 11:30 AM — Traditional dances and songs in Piazza Risorgimento
- 5:00 PM — Inauguration of the exhibition "Ornamenta. The taste for beauty between valleys and villas" at the Old Town Hall Cultural Center, accompanied by the folk groups
- 9:00 PM — Evening show in the Villa Antonia Park with the Castelraimondo group from the Marche region, including tastings of local stinchèet
Sunday, June 28
- 10:00 AM — Grand parade with nearly 400 participants from national and international groups (including from Switzerland): departure from Piazza Gennari along Via Benefattori, Piazza Risorgimento, and the historic center, accompanied by the Bandella Vigezzo, the Banda Musicale Alpina di Malesco, and the Banda di Druogno
- 11:00 AM — Holy Mass in the Parish Church
- 11:45 AM — Historical re-enactment by the Milizia Tradizionale di Calasca in Piazza Risorgimento
- From 3:00 PM — Gathering in the Villa Antonia Park: an afternoon of celebration with music, dancing, and the "Piccola Osteria" featuring stinchèet tastings
Highlights Folklore Weekend 2026
Prices Folklore Weekend 2026
Practical information — Folklore Weekend
Getting there
Santa Maria Maggiore can be reached by car via the A26 motorway (Gravellona Toce exit), continuing towards Domodossola and Valle Vigezzo. By train, it is connected by the scenic Vigezzina-Centovalli railway, which links Domodossola to Locarno (Switzerland) with a stop in Santa Maria Maggiore.
Admission
The event is free and takes place in the open spaces of the historic center and in the Villa Antonia Park.
Information
Santa Maria Maggiore Tourist Office: +39 0324 95091. Updated program available on the tourist portal santamariamaggiore.info.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Folklore Weekend
Centro storico di Santa Maria Maggiore
Piazza Risorgimento, 28857 Santa Maria Maggiore