Saint Eusebius' Festival

A Tradition Through the Centuries

The Saint Eusebius' Festival is the heart of summer in Casciago, a small hillside town in the Province of Varese overlooking the lake and the Lombard Prealps. For two days, between July 31st and August 1st, the entire town gathers around the parish church dedicated to the patron saint, blending popular devotion, ancient rites, and moments of great conviviality.

The Votive Balloon, the Rite that Opens the Festival

The most anticipated moment is the lighting of the votive balloon on the evening of July 31st. It is a large sphere of flammable material, hung outside the church, which is set ablaze in memory of the saint's martyrdom. The fire is no ordinary fire: it is collected in Vercelli, the city of which Saint Eusebius was the first bishop and where his relics are preserved, and brought to Casciago via a relay torchlight procession. When the flames engulf the balloon in front of the crowd, the festival officially begins.

The Procession and the Auction of the Stretchers

The next day, August 1st, the morning is marked by solemn masses, while in the afternoon the renowned stretcher procession winds through the town streets: groups of faithful carry decorated structures adorned with colorful garlands and laden with gifts offered by the community. At the end, the auction takes place, a charity auction conducted strictly in dialect, the proceeds of which go to the parish. It is one of the most characteristic and identity-defining moments of the Casciago festival.

Fireworks and Food Stalls

To close the day, late in the evening, the fireworks display over the large meadow of Saint Eusebius illuminates the Varese sky and attracts thousands of spectators from neighboring towns. Throughout the festival, the food stalls remain active, offering typical dishes, music, and the atmosphere of a genuine local fair, where local associations and the entire pastoral community of Barasso, Casciago, Luvinate, and Morosolo serve the tradition.