Lughnasad Festival — The Gathering of the Tribes
Three days of music, dance, and Celtic re-enactment in Golasecca
About Lughnasad Festival
The Celtic Roots of Golasecca
Golasecca, a municipality in the province of Varese, is not just any location for a Celtic festival: it gives its name to the Golasecca civilization, a proto-Celtic Iron Age culture that flourished in this area. It is in this historically rich context that the Lughnasad Festival — The Gathering of the Tribes comes to life, dedicated to Celtic-pagan folk music and culture.
Music, Dance, and Re-enactment
For three days, the Golasecca Sports Field transforms into a village of yesteryear. The program intertwines Irish folk music, Highland and Northern European dances, historical re-enactments that reconstruct the life and warrior traditions of Celtic peoples, and the characteristic strength contests in the style of Highland Games (with an entry fee for those who wish to compete).
Craftsmanship and Themed Market
Ample space is dedicated to craft workshops, an opportunity to rediscover past customs and trades: blacksmithing, leatherworking, weaving, pottery, and archery. A large Celtic-themed market offers handcrafted items and their modern reinterpretations, while an Irish pub area offers craft beers, cider, mead, whiskey, and traditional cuisine.
The Monsorino Archaeological Area
Among the most evocative events, a special Sunday event at the Monsorino archaeological area, with the ritual re-enactment of ancient funeral practices. An experience that deeply connects the festival to the historical heritage of the territory, making the Lughnasad of Golasecca much more than a simple folk gathering.
Lughnasad Festival — edition 2026
From July 24 to 26, 2026, Golasecca hosts the Lughnasad Festival — The Gathering of the Tribes, at the Viale Europa Sports Field, with free admission. Three days dedicated to Celtic-pagan music and culture, organized by Imbolc Srl and the Irish dance academy Gens d'Ys.
The program includes Irish folk music and dances, historical re-enactments of Celtic traditions, Highland Games-style strength contests, craft workshops, and a large themed market. On Sunday, a special event at the Monsorino archaeological area with the re-enactment of ancient funeral practices.
Programme Lughnasad Festival 2026
Three days of programming at the Golasecca Sports Field (free admission):
- Music and Dance — Irish folk, Highland and Northern European dances
- Historical Re-enactment — groups recreating the life and warrior traditions of Celtic peoples
- Highland Games — Celtic-inspired strength contests (with entry fee for participants)
- Craft Workshops — blacksmithing, leatherwork, weaving, pottery, archery
- Themed Market — handcrafted items
- Irish Pub Area — craft beers, cider, mead, whiskey, and typical cuisine
- Sunday — special event at the Monsorino archaeological area, with re-enactment of ancient funeral practices
Highlights Lughnasad Festival 2026
Prices Lughnasad Festival 2026
Practical information — Lughnasad Festival
Where
Campo Sportivo, Viale Europa 1c, Golasecca (VA).
How to get there
Golasecca is located in the province of Varese, near the Ticino river and Sesto Calende. By car from the A8/A26; by train on the Milan-Domodossola line, Sesto Calende-Golasecca station.
Admission
Free entry to the festival. Entry fee for strength contests. Discounted rates at the nearby Camping Il Gabbiano.
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 — Lughnasad Festival
Campo Sportivo di Golasecca
Viale Europa 1c, 21010 Golasecca