Palio dei Rioni e Festa Patronale di San Maurizio

The Patron Saint's Festival in Vedano Olona

Every September, Vedano Olona, in the province of Varese, celebrates its patron saint, San Maurizio, with the patronal festival, combined with the Palio dei Rioni. For a few days, the town dresses up for the festivities: the centre fills with flowered doorways and decorations set up by the various districts, in a colourful competition that accompanies the entire event.

The Competition Between the Districts

The heart of the Palio is the competition between the town's districts, who challenge each other in games, races, sports tournaments, and skill tests involving both adults and children. The most anticipated moment is the grand parade of the districts in costume, on the occasion of San Maurizio's feast day, followed by the awards ceremony for the winning district and the traditional polenta and zola prepared by the social centre.

Stalls, Gastronomy, and Entertainment

Alongside the district challenges, the festival features stalls, food stands, shows, and entertainment for children, with the town centre becoming the meeting point for the entire community for several days. The event is organised by the Comitato Palio dei Rioni (Palio dei Rioni Committee) together with the parish.

Vedano Olona and the Olona Valley

Vedano Olona is a municipality in the Olona Valley, in the Comune and province of Varese, with a compact and well-preserved historic centre. The Palio dei Rioni, founded in the early 2020s, has become in just a few editions the most cherished autumn event in Vedano.