Hospitality Festival
The Ferragosto festival at the Madonna delle Rocche sanctuary in Molare
About Hospitality Festival
A Ferragosto festival in the Ovada hills
The Hospitality Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in Molare, in the province of Alessandria. It takes place around Ferragosto (mid-August) at the Santuario della Madonna delle Rocche hamlet in the upper Orba Valley, and takes its name from the spirit of welcome that has animated this hillside village for over forty years. Organized by the Pro Loco Rocche, the event transforms the square and the meadows around the sanctuary into a large meeting place for four nights, filled with long tables, music, and the aromas of traditional cooking.
The heart: traditional cuisine
The food stalls are the soul of the festival and generally open from 7:30 PM. The cuisine is the honest, generous fare of the Piedmontese and Ovada tradition, with dishes that return faithfully every year:
- Ravioli made just like in the old days
- Polenta served with rich sauces and cheeses
- Horse stew, a typical local specialty
- Rocche roast and grilled meats
- Sausage, skewers, and fries
- Tomino cheese with speck
- Homemade desserts
Music and evenings
Every night, the festival offers musical entertainment: dance orchestras, DJ sets, and live bands ranging from folk music to modern sounds, enlivening the post-dinner hours under the stars. Recent editions have featured names like Evivi Mas, Stratagemma, and Clan Banlieue Agrifolk, alongside dance nights with traditional ballroom orchestras.
The sanctuary and the Orba Valley
The setting is the Santuario della Madonna delle Rocche, considered the gateway to the upper Orba Valley and currently entrusted to the Passionist Fathers. The site combines the devotional dimension typical of Italian Ferragosto festivals with the convivial atmosphere of a village fair: for many locals from Molare and Ovada, it is the festival that closes the summer, an occasion to reunite with friends and family. An authentic stop for those who want to discover the Province of Alessandria and Piedmont far from the most touristy circuits.
Hospitality Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Hospitality Festival takes place from Wednesday, August 12 to Saturday, August 15 at the Santuario della Madonna delle Rocche hamlet in Molare (AL).
As per tradition, every evening the Pro Loco Rocche food stalls open from 7:30 PM with the festival's signature dishes — ravioli, polenta, horse stew, roast meat, sausage, tomino with speck, fries, and desserts — accompanied by musical evenings featuring dance orchestras, live bands, and DJ sets.
The dates for the 2026 edition are confirmed by the Visit Ovada tourism portal. The complete musical program, including artist names and evening schedules, will be released by the organizers in the weeks leading up to Ferragosto.
Programme Hospitality Festival 2026
The detailed calendar for the 2026 edition, including concerts, DJ sets, and dance orchestras, will be published by the Pro Loco Rocche in the weeks preceding the event.
Following the custom of recent editions, the structure includes:
- Wednesday, August 12 — food stalls open from 7:30 PM and musical evening
- Thursday, August 13 — dinner and live entertainment
- Friday, August 14 — dinner and dance evening
- Saturday, August 15 (Ferragosto) — peak evening with concert and dancing
Artist names will be announced later.
Highlights Hospitality Festival 2026
The evening of August 15 is the most anticipated moment, with dinner at the Pro Loco Rocche stalls and the evening concert. The horse stew and the Rocche roast, the festival's signature dishes, are not to be missed.
Prices Hospitality Festival 2026
Practical information — Hospitality Festival
Location
Frazione Santuario Madonna delle Rocche, Molare (AL), in the upper Orba Valley.
How to get there
By car from Ovada, you can reach Molare in a few minutes, then continue towards the sanctuary; from the A26 motorway, take the Ovada exit. The nearest train station is Ovada (on the Genoa–Acqui Terme line), from where you can continue by car.
Hours and admission
Food stalls generally open from 7:30 PM. Free admission to the festival; you pay for what you consume at the food stalls.
Tips
Bring a light jacket for the evening: the sanctuary is on a hill and the temperature drops. Arrive early to find a seat at the tables during the peak Ferragosto evenings.
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Where does it take place — Hospitality Festival
Santuario Madonna delle Rocche
Località Santuario Madonna delle Rocche, 15074 Molare