Patronal Feast of Sant'Alessandro
The patronal feast of Pieve Emanuele, with the Rice and Polenta Festival
About Feast of Sant'Alessandro
The Patron Saint and the Agricultural Roots of Pieve Emanuele
The Patronal Feast of Sant'Alessandro is the celebration of the patron saint of Pieve Emanuele, a municipality in South Milan within the Metropolitan City of Milan. Sant'Alessandro's day is August 26th, but the solemn celebrations traditionally take place in September, when the community gathers for the most cherished festival of the year.
The event is jointly organized by the Municipal Administration and the Pastoral Community of the Annunciation, and its soul is deeply connected to the countryside. Pieve Emanuele is a land of rice paddies and farming tradition, and the festival showcases this primarily through its cuisine.
The Rice and Polenta Festival
The most popular event is the Rice and Polenta Festival: risotto and polenta, the most typical products of Lombard cuisine, are served during the festival days alongside 'salamella' (sausage) and fries. The culinary focus is complemented by a rich program: the solemn Sunday morning mass, the Palio dei Quartieri, concerts and DJ sets, games in the square, a community breakfast, exhibitions — including a photographic exhibition dedicated to the rice tradition — and the 'albero della cuccagna' for the little ones.
It is a festival that intertwines devotion, farming identity, and the desire to be together, offering visitors an authentic portrait of life in the towns south of Milan.
Feast of Sant'Alessandro — edition 2026
The Patronal Feast of Sant'Alessandro returns to Pieve Emanuele in 2026 as an annual event, with solemn September celebrations and the usual Rice and Polenta Festival. Currently, the precise dates and program have not yet been published. The feast is jointly organized by the Municipal Administration and the Pastoral Community of the Annunciation.
Programme Feast of Sant'Alessandro 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be announced by the Municipality of Pieve Emanuele and the Pastoral Community closer to the event. Based on recent editions, the festival typically includes:
- Solemn Sunday morning mass in honor of Sant'Alessandro
- Rice and Polenta Festival with risotto, polenta, 'salamella', and fries
- Palio dei Quartieri
- Concerts, DJ sets, and games in the square
- Community breakfast and 'albero della cuccagna' for children
- Exhibitions, including a photographic display on the rice tradition
Dates and the full schedule will be released on the Municipality's channels.
Highlights Feast of Sant'Alessandro 2026
The Rice and Polenta Festival and the Palio dei Quartieri, the popular heart of the patronal feast.
Prices Feast of Sant'Alessandro 2026
Practical information — Feast of Sant'Alessandro
When
September, around the third weekend of the month (with celebrations and the Rice and Polenta Festival spanning several days).
Where
Center of Pieve Emanuele (MI).
How to get there
Pieve Emanuele is located in South Milan. By car from SS35 dei Giovi or the Tangenziale Ovest (Western Ring Road); by train on the suburban line S13 (Milan-Pavia), Pieve Emanuele stop.
Admission
Free.
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Where does it take place — Feast of Sant'Alessandro
Centro di Pieve Emanuele