Gran Festa del Desmontegar
The descent of the herds from the alpine pastures through the villages of Primiero, at the foot of the Pale di San Martino
About Desmontegada of Primiero
The great transhumance festival of Primiero
The Gran Festa del Desmontegar is the most cherished autumn event in the Primiero valley, located in the municipality of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza, in the province of Trento and the Trentino-Alto Adige region. The event celebrates the desmontegada, the traditional descent of livestock from summer pastures at the foot of the Pale di San Martino—a UNESCO World Heritage site—marking the end of the high-altitude grazing season and the return of the herds to the valley.
Four days of tradition and flavor
The event spans four days and involves the historic hamlets of the valley: Fiera di Primiero, Tonadico, Siror, Transacqua, as well as Imer and Mezzano. The heart of the festival is the Sunday Desmontegada, known as the longest and most popular parade in the entire Alpine region: cows, goats, and horses adorned for the occasion march through the historic centers, accompanied by farming families in traditional dress, surrounded by market stalls, music, and awards ceremonies.
The program
- Cattle Competition Show at the Fiera di Primiero bus station, featuring up-close encounters with the animals and stories from the breeders;
- Dì del Formai (Cheese Day) at Palazzo Scopoli in Tonadico, an immersive experience dedicated to the Primiero Dairy, with cheese tastings, pairings, and workshops;
- En dì al Maso and Welcome to the Farm, days spent in mountain dairies and farms among the meadows of Siror and Val Canali;
- The Beer Festival in Piazza San Marco in Transacqua and the Knowledge and Flavors market at Parco Clarofonte;
- The Gastronomic Festival in the valley's restaurants throughout the event.
Alpine culture and the white gold of the Dolomites
The Gran Festa del Desmontegar is dedicated to the so-called white gold of the Dolomites—the milk and dairy products of Primiero—and the entire culture of mountain farming. The event is organized by the San Martino di Castrozza, Primiero and Vanoi Tourism Board in collaboration with local associations, including the Tonadighi Strighi of Tonadico, the Tradition and Culture Committee of Siror, and the Primiero and Vanoi Breeders' Union. It is an authentic opportunity to discover the folk traditions, folklore, and gastronomy of one of Trentino's most evocative valleys.
Desmontegada of Primiero — edition 2026
2026 Edition
The 26th edition of the Gran Festa del Desmontegar is scheduled from Thursday, September 24th to Sunday, September 27th, 2026, in the Primiero valley, in the municipality of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza (Trentino-Alto Adige). It kicks off on Thursday with the Cattle Competition Show at the Fiera di Primiero bus station; Friday features the Dì del Formai at Palazzo Scopoli in Tonadico, celebrating the Primiero Dairy; Saturday includes the En dì al Maso experiences in Siror and Welcome to the Farm in Val Canali, along with the Beer Festival in Piazza San Marco in Transacqua and the Knowledge and Flavors market. Sunday the 27th marks the grand finale with the Desmontegada, the parade of herds crossing the valley's villages. The Gastronomic Festival runs throughout all four days.
Programme Desmontegada of Primiero 2026
- Thursday, September 24th — Cattle Competition Show at the Fiera di Primiero bus station (from 10:00 AM); Bionoc' World Discovery in Mezzano (from 5:15 PM, by reservation).
- Friday, September 25th — Dì del Formai at Palazzo Scopoli, Tonadico (from 4:00 PM): tastings, pairings, and children's workshops; Boskavai in Imer (from 8:30 PM).
- Saturday, September 26th — En dì al Maso in the meadows of Siror (from 8:30 AM, by reservation); Welcome to the Farm in Val Canali/Passo Cereda (from 9:00 AM); Knowledge and Flavors market at Parco Clarofonte in Transacqua (from 9:00 AM); Beer Festival in Piazza San Marco in Transacqua (from 5:00 PM).
- Sunday, September 27th — The Desmontegada, parade of herds through the villages of Primiero (all day); Knowledge and Flavors market in Transacqua.
- September 24th-27th — Gastronomic Festival in the valley's restaurants.
Highlights Desmontegada of Primiero 2026
- The Desmontegada on Sunday, September 27th, the longest and most popular parade in the Alpine region
- The Dì del Formai at Palazzo Scopoli with the Primiero Dairy
- The Cattle Competition Show in Fiera di Primiero
- The Beer Festival in Transacqua and the Gastronomic Festival
Prices Desmontegada of Primiero 2026
Practical information — Desmontegada of Primiero
How to get there
Primiero San Martino di Castrozza can be reached by car from Trento (about 60 km) or Feltre. By train, the reference station is Feltre, which is connected to the valley by scheduled bus services. During the event, shuttle services are active, and information on parking and traffic is provided.
Admission and information
Many events offer free admission; some experiences (mountain dairy and farm visits, workshops) require reservations. In the days leading up to the festival, local ski lifts offer discounted tickets. For information, contact the APT San Martino di Castrozza, Primiero and Vanoi, tel. +39 0439 62407.
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Where does it take place — Desmontegada of Primiero
Fiera di Primiero e frazioni della valle
Via Dante 6, 38054 Primiero San Martino di Castrozza