Pre Nijmegen of Malnate

A Festival Born from a March

The Pre Nijmegen of Malnate (Province of Varese) has unique origins: it was created to accompany and support the Italian walkers who set off every summer for the Vierdaagse of Nijmegen, the historic four-day march held in the Netherlands. From that sporting and solidarity-driven purpose, a great popular festival has grown over the years, now a fixed event on the Malnate calendar.

Two Weeks of Music and Community

For about two weeks, the Pastore Street Festival Area becomes the pulsating heart of the event: every evening features live music with bands and ballroom dancing, food stalls, tournaments, and social gatherings. The festival unites different generations and involves local associations and organizations, from the Social Centre to dance schools, in a program that alternates entertainment, sports, and conviviality.

The Walkers' Departure

The most heartfelt moment remains the walkers' departure, who traditionally set off early in the morning towards Holland: a ritual that recalls the event's original spirit. The grand finale arrives with a fireworks display that lights up the Malnate sky.

A Local Institution

Organized by the Pre Nijmegen Association with the patronage of the Province of Varese and the Municipality of Malnate, the festival is now an institution that draws crowds from neighboring towns as well. Now in its fiftieth edition, it showcases a community's ability to transform an act of sporting solidarity into a grand village festival.