Lodi Palio
The only palio in the world where horses don't race
About Lodi Palio
A truly unique palio
The Palio di Lodi has a characteristic that makes it unique in the world: the horses do not race. They are wooden horses mounted on wheels, pushed by the district jockeys along the perimeter of Piazza della Vittoria. A spectacular and popular formula that, since 1986, the year of the first edition promoted by the Wasken Boys group, has become a fixed autumn event in the capital. In 2026, the event celebrates its XXXVII edition, scheduled for Sunday, October 4.
History comes alive
The Palio has its roots in the Peace of Lodi of 1454, the treaty between the Italian powers that the population celebrated, according to tradition, with chariot races. The historical procession re-enacts the great episodes of the city's history: from the founding of Lodi by Federico Barbarossa in 1158 to the Peace of Lodi, up to legendary figures like Fanfulla da Lodi of the Barletta Challenge.
Races in the square
The heart of the Sunday are the three competitions that award the Palio:
- Ring Joust — the jockeys, on horseback, must spear the rings placed at the four corners of the square with their lances;
- Puledrìn — the race for children and young people, who complete a lap of the square on horseback;
- Cursa dei cavai — the race with wooden horses pushed for three laps around the square.
A Sunday of celebration
The day opens in the morning with mass in the Cathedral and continues in the afternoon, from 3 PM, with the grand historical procession of the districts parading in costume through the streets of the center before battling it out in the square. Colors, drums, flag-wavers, and participants transform Lodi into a large living fresco, in one of the most heartfelt re-enactments in the province of Lodi and Lombardy.
Lodi Palio — edition 2026
For the thirty-seventh edition, the Palio di Lodi returns to fill Piazza della Vittoria with its costumed districts and the famous wooden horses on wheels. The Sunday opens with mass in the Cathedral and continues in the afternoon with the historical procession and the races that award the banner. A re-enactment that intertwines the memory of the Peace of Lodi of 1454 with the popular and competitive spirit of the city's neighborhoods.
Programme Lodi Palio 2026
Sunday, October 4, 2026
- Morning — Solemn mass in the Cathedral
- 3:00 PM — Grand historical procession of the districts: participants in costume, drummers, and flag-wavers parade through the streets of the center, re-enacting the great episodes of Lodi's history (founding in 1158, Peace of Lodi in 1454)
- Afternoon — The three races in Piazza della Vittoria:
- Ring Joust — jockeys spear the rings at the four corners of the square with their lances
- Puledrìn — the race for children and young people on horseback
- Cursa dei cavai — the race with wooden horses pushed for three laps around the square
- Following — Proclamation of the winning district and awarding of the Palio
The detailed program, with any events on the preceding Saturday, will be released by the Palio Committee and the Municipality of Lodi in the weeks prior.
Highlights Lodi Palio 2026
Prices Lodi Palio 2026
Practical information — Lodi Palio
When
Sunday, October 4, 2026 (the event traditionally takes place on the first Sunday of October, with events also on Saturday).
Where
Piazza della Vittoria and historic center of Lodi (Lombardy). In the morning, mass in the Cathedral.
Tickets
The events in the square are free to attend. Possible reserved seating in the stands: information at the Palio Committee.
How to get there
Lodi is well connected by train (Milan-Bologna line) and by car (A1 motorway, Lodi exit). The historic center is pedestrianized during the event.
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 — Lodi Palio
Piazza della Vittoria e centro storico