Saint Anthony Festival
Three days of tradition in Vimercate, between the bonfire on the Molgora and the Pro Loco's tortelli
About Saint Anthony Festival
Vimercate's Winter Festival
In the heart of winter, in mid-January, Vimercate (Province of Monza and Brianza) gathers around the Saint Anthony Festival, one of the city's most cherished events. Organized by the Pro Loco of Vimercate with the support of the Municipality, the festival dedicated to Saint Anthony Abbot lasts for three days and combines devotion, peasant tradition, and conviviality.
The Bonfire on the Molgora
The most anticipated moment is the lighting of the large bonfire on the banks of the Molgora stream, preceded by a captivating parade in medieval costumes that starts from Villa Sottocasa. The ritual of fire, linked to the tradition of Saint Anthony, attracts a large crowd along the stream banks every year.
Tortelli, Animals, and Motorcycles
In the streets of the historic center, the festival offers the sale of tortelli by the Pro Loco in Via Cavour, the blessing of animals near the small church of Sant'Antonio, games for children, painting exhibitions, and the concluding motorcycle procession by the Moto Club. The Saint Anthony Walk, organized by the CAI and starting from Villa Sottocasa, is also held.
A Renewing Tradition
Exhibitions, choral concerts in the sanctuary, guided tours of the Saint Anthony oratory, and the San Rocco bridge complete a program that makes the festival an opportunity to rediscover Vimercate's historical heritage in the midst of the Brianza winter.
Saint Anthony Festival — edition 2026
The 2026 Saint Anthony Festival was held in Vimercate from Friday, January 16th to Sunday, January 18th, organized by the Pro Loco. Three days marked by religious, gastronomic, and traditional events, culminating in the lighting of the large bonfire on the Molgora stream banks.
Programme Saint Anthony Festival 2026
Friday, January 16th
- 6:00 PM — Opening Mass at the Sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin of the Rosary; inauguration of the exhibition "Dialogue in Three Voices" at the Fumagalli showroom.
- 7:00 PM — Event "Dream in Time" on the San Rocco bridge, with artists and music.
- 9:00 PM — Polyphonic concerts at the sanctuary.
Saturday, January 17th
- 9:30 AM — Mass and blessing of the bread at the small church of Sant'Antonio.
- 10:00 AM — Opening of the "tortelli square" in Via Cavour.
- 2:00 PM — Start of the 4th Saint Anthony Walk (CAI), from the MUST of Villa Sottocasa.
- 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM — Pony rides at Parco Trotti.
- 4:30 PM — Traditional blessing of animals at the small church.
- 5:30 PM — Presentation of a novel at Il Gabbiano bookstore.
- 8:30 PM — Parade in medieval costumes from Villa Sottocasa.
- 8:45 PM — Lighting of the bonfire on the Molgora stream banks.
Sunday, January 18th
- 10:00 AM — Reopening of stands and sale of tortelli.
- 2:30 PM — Children's theater and guided tours (every 30 minutes until 5:00 PM).
- 8:30 PM — Concluding motorcycle procession starting from Piazza Santo Stefano.
- 10:00 PM — End of the event.
Highlights Saint Anthony Festival 2026
Prices Saint Anthony Festival 2026
Practical information — Saint Anthony Festival
When
In mid-January, over three days (Friday-Sunday). The 2026 edition was held from January 16th to 18th.
Where
Historic center of Vimercate (Via Cavour, Piazza Roma, Villa Sottocasa) and the banks of the Molgora stream for the bonfire. Vimercate (Monza and Brianza) is reachable by car and by bus connections from the Milan metro network.
Information
Organized by the Pro Loco of Vimercate. The blessing of animals takes place at the small church of Sant'Antonio.
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Where does it take place — Saint Anthony Festival
Centro storico e greto del torrente Molgora