New Year's Eve Torchlight Procession and Old Year Bonfire

A torchlight procession to welcome the year in the heart of Primiero

The New Year's Eve Torchlight Procession and Old Year Bonfire is one of the most cherished New Year's traditions in Tonadico, a village in the municipality of Primiero San Martino di Castrozza, in the province of Trento, nestled in the heart of the Trentino-Alto Adige Dolomites. On the evening of December 31st, the village gathers in Piazza Canopi for a night walk that, torch in hand, winds its way up to the Prati Tais, at the foot of the imposing Pale di San Martino mountain range.

The ritual of the Old Year Bonfire

The highlight of the evening is the lighting of the Falò della Vecchia: a large bonfire that, according to Alpine tradition, symbolically burns the "old woman"—representing the year that is ending—as a gesture of good luck for the year ahead. It is an ancient ritual shared by many mountain communities, uniting the valley around the fire in an atmosphere of sober and intimate celebration, far from the chaotic crowds of city New Year's events.

A journey guided by the Tonadighi Strighi

The walk, lasting about an hour round-trip, is led by the Tonadighi Strighi group, who enliven the evening and guide participants along the path. The route is not particularly difficult, but in winter the ground can be icy or muddy: appropriate footwear and mountain clothing are highly recommended. The torchlight procession is open to everyone, including families, and participation is free.

New Year's in the Dolomites

The event is part of the rich Christmas calendar of the Primiero and Vanoi valleys, promoted by the ApT San Martino di Castrozza, Passo Rolle, Primiero e Vanoi tourist board. Experiencing the last night of the year with a torchlight procession under the stars, with the peaks of the Pale di San Martino as a backdrop and the warmth of the bonfire to conclude the evening, is an authentic way to greet the year in the silence of the Trentino mountains.