Sagra di Ferragosto e Festa di San Rocco

The Ferragosto festival on Lake Maggiore

In Porto Valtravaglia, a municipality in the province of Varese overlooking Lake Maggiore, Ferragosto is not just a holiday: it's the festival par excellence. The Sagra di Ferragosto, organized by the Pro Loco (local tourism board) with the patronage of the Municipality, enlivens the lakefront and the charming Piazza Imbarcadero for several days, where the coming and going of boats serves as a backdrop for food stalls, stages, and markets.

Lake fish takes center stage

The common thread of the festival is local cuisine, particularly lake fish: mixed fried fish, bleak, grilled fish, and other specialties served in the large food stalls, alongside risottos, grilled meats, and the inevitable fried frogs. It's simple, popular cuisine that tells the story of a village that grew around water and fishing.

Music, dancing, and religious tradition

Every evening, the stage features concerts and tribute bands ranging from Italian rock classics to 70s-90s pop music, alternating with Latin American dance nights with DJs and entertainment groups. The most heartfelt moment remains the procession of the Assumption, which on August 15th parades from the Old Port, bringing the community together in an ancient and participatory rite.

San Rocco and fireworks on the lake

The festival culminates on August 16th with the Feast of San Rocco: in the afternoon, the famous Palo della Cuccagna (greased pole) on the lake, a game of balance and fun suspended over the water, takes place, while the day ends with the grand fireworks display that illuminates the sky and reflects in Lake Maggiore. It's the festival's iconic image, the moment when the whole town looks up.

A village event

While remaining a community festival, the Sagra di Ferragosto of Porto Valtravaglia has become part of Lombardy's summer festival calendar, attracting visitors from neighboring towns on the Lombard shore of the lake and from the Luino area. An opportunity to discover an authentic corner of Lake Maggiore away from the most crowded destinations.