Saint John the Baptist Fair

The Patron Saint's feast of Castel San Giovanni

The Saint John the Baptist Fair is the main popular event in Castel San Giovanni, an important town in Val Tidone in the province of Piacenza, at the westernmost edge of Emilia-Romagna, bordering Lombardy. The feast is dedicated to Saint John the Baptist, the city's Patron Saint, whose feast day falls on June 24th: around this date, the Municipality and the Pro Loco organize a week of events that blend religious tradition, the ancient market fair, and city entertainment.

A Market Fair of Ancient Tradition

The civil heart of the event is the public market fair, officially registered in the Emilia-Romagna regional registry: dozens of stalls selling clothing, footwear, household items, and food products line Corso Matteotti and the squares of the historic center, alongside the usual Sunday market. It's the day when Castel San Giovanni attracts visitors from all over Val Tidone and neighboring towns in the Pavese area, in a festive atmosphere that animates the streets and shops of the town.

Shows, Music, and Culture

Alongside the fair, the program offers numerous entertainment moments throughout the week. Past editions have featured shows at the Verdi Theater, concerts by local bands, musicals for families and children, performances by local dance schools, and evenings of live and ballroom music in the squares. The awarding of the "Castellano dell'anno" (Castel San Giovanni Citizen of the Year) is also a symbolic moment, honoring those who have distinguished themselves in service to the community.

Gastronomy by the Pro Loco

The food stands are one of the most beloved elements of the festival: the Pro Loco of Castel San Giovanni and local associations, including the Alpini, offer specialties of Piacenza cuisine and convivial dishes, from cured meats to cotechino, accompanied by local wine and draft beer. The gastronomic evenings transform the center into a large open-air gathering place.

Devotion and Civic Identity

The religious moment remains the core of the celebration: on June 24th, the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, the Main Church (Collegiata) hosts the solemn Eucharistic celebration in honor of the Patron Saint. The fair thus represents an event of identity for Castel San Giovanni, capable of uniting faith, historical memory, and community life in one of the most heartfelt summer traditions of the Piacenza area.