Sagra della Patata di Oreno

A village festival over half a century old

In Oreno, a hamlet of Vimercate in the Province of Monza and Brianza, the Sagra della Patata is the village's defining event. Organised by the Circolo Culturale Orenese (CCO), founded in 1966, the sagra (food festival) is held biennially in September between Piazza San Michele and the streets of the historic village centre.

The Biancona, star of the table

The heart of the festival is the Biancona di Oreno, the local white potato that represents a living part of the area's agricultural history and has obtained the Denominazione Comunale (De.Co.) status. Food stands offer potato-based dishes and traditional specialities, with a rich array of food and wine offerings spread across the festival weekends.

The historical procession and the village in costume

Beyond the food, the Sagra is famous for its grand medieval historical procession: costumed participants, districts, and re-enactments bring the village to life, which for the occasion dresses up in the clothes of yesteryear. The programme is enhanced by live music, shows, entertainment for children, and guided tours of Oreno's notable sites, including Villa Gallarati Scotti and the Casino di Caccia Borromeo with its frescoes.

The 60th anniversary of the Circolo

The 2026 edition, the XXXI, holds special significance as it coincides with the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Circolo Culturale Orenese, the custodian of the village's cultural and gastronomic traditions for almost six decades. In years when the Sagra is not held, the CCO organises the 'Aspettando la Sagra della Patata' (Waiting for the Potato Festival) event.