Saint John's Fair
The patron saint's fair that opens summer in Bondeno
About June Fair
Bondeno's Most Anticipated Festival
The Saint John's Fair, known by everyone as the June Fair, is the event that for generations has marked the beginning of summer in Bondeno, an important town in the Bassa Ferrarese in the Province of Ferrara, in Emilia-Romagna. For seven days, the town transforms: the historic center fills with stalls, rides, music, and the aromas of Romagna and Emilia cuisine, culminating on the patron saint's day, June 24th, dedicated to Saint John the Baptist.
A Fair That Opens the Summer
As the Municipal Administration likes to recall, the June Fair "was the event that opened the summer" and continues to represent a collective effort that testifies to the vitality of the territory. The event is organized by the Municipality of Bondeno together with the Pro Loco Bondeno and numerous local associations, and involves the entire fabric of the town, from shopkeepers to schools, from bands to musical groups.
Two Pulsating Hearts: Piazza Costa and Viale Repubblica
The fair takes place in several squares and streets in the center. In Piazza Costa, the Piazzetta in Festa (Little Square in Celebration) is held, with live music evenings featuring local talent, from music schools to choirs, and dance performances. In viale Repubblica, the Festa Tropicana (Tropicana Party) comes alive, the youngest and most lively area of the event: themed as a beach, with palm trees, sand, and gastronomic specialties, it hosts concerts, tribute bands, DJ sets, and Latin nights every evening until late at night.
Funfair, Exhibitions, and Gastronomy
The timeless heart of the fair is the funfair, which opens on the first day and lights up the entire duration of the festival, with a morning dedicated free of charge to kindergarten children. There are also art exhibitions and book presentations held in the library, at the Casa Operaia, and in the town's cultural spaces, food stalls managed by local associations and sports teams, and the space dedicated to the twin town of Dillingen, with Bavarian beer and pretzels to seal the twinning.
The Patron Saint John the Baptist
The most solemn moment arrives on June 24th, the day of the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist, patron saint of the city. The Holy Mass is celebrated in the archpriest's church (the Cathedral of Bondeno), followed by the traditional procession through the streets of the center. The festival thus intertwines the popular and religious dimensions, in continuity with the ancient customs related to the summer solstice and the water rites of Saint John.
June Fair — edition 2026
The Patron Saint's June Fair 2026 returns to Bondeno from Thursday, June 18 to Wednesday, June 24, confirming the formula that has made it the event that opens summer in the Bassa Ferrarese. The Municipality of Bondeno and the Pro Loco liven up the historic center with music, exhibitions, gastronomy, and the traditional funfair, until the celebrations for the patron saint Saint John the Baptist on June 24th.
Programme June Fair 2026
Fair Structure
For seven days, from June 18 to 24, 2026, the center of Bondeno hosts the events of the Patron Saint's Fair, spread across different squares and streets:
- Piazza Costa — "Piazzetta in Festa": Live music evenings and dance performances by local musical groups.
- Viale Repubblica — "Festa Tropicana": Beach-themed area with concerts, tribute bands, DJ sets, and Latin nights until late.
- Funfair: Rides and attractions for the entire duration of the fair, with a free morning dedicated to kindergarten children.
- Exhibitions and Culture: Art exhibitions and book presentations in the library, at the Casa Operaia, and in the town's spaces.
- Gastronomy: Stalls managed by local associations and sports teams, with the space for the twin town of Dillingen (Bavarian beer and pretzels).
The Patron Saint's Feast
On Wednesday, June 24, the day of Saint John the Baptist, the religious moment includes Holy Mass in the archpriest's church and a procession through the town center.
The detailed day-by-day program, with the names of the bands and the schedules for the evenings in Piazza Costa and viale Repubblica, will be published by the Municipality of Bondeno on the official website in the weeks preceding the fair.
Highlights June Fair 2026
- The Festa Tropicana on viale Repubblica, with concerts, tribute bands, and Latin nights until late.
- The Piazzetta in Festa in Piazza Costa, with live music from local artists.
- The funfair, the timeless heart of the fair.
- The procession of the patron saint Saint John the Baptist on June 24th.
Prices June Fair 2026
Practical information — June Fair
When
From June 18 to 24, 2026, every day with events from afternoon until night.
Where
Historic center of Bondeno (FE): Piazza Costa, viale Repubblica, and surrounding streets. The patron saint's procession starts from the archpriest's church.
How to get there
By car: Bondeno is accessible from the SS496 and the provincial roads of the Bassa Ferrarese; close to the highway exits of the A13 (Ferrara) and the Brenner motorway. By train: Bondeno station on the Suzzara-Ferrara line. During the fair, traffic changes are planned in the center.
Admission
Free access to squares and events; the funfair and food stalls are paid per attraction and stand.
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Where does it take place — June Fair
Centro storico di Bondeno (Piazza Costa, viale Repubblica)