Patronal Feast of Saint John the Baptist

The Patron Saint of the Walser Village

June 24th is the most important date in the calendar of Gressoney-Saint-Jean: it celebrates Saint John the Baptist, the village's patron saint, to whom the town also owes its name ("Saint-Jean"). It is one of the most cherished events for the Walser-speaking community of the upper Lys Valley, at the foot of Monte Rosa, and an occasion for the town to proudly display its centuries-old costumes and traditions.

The Eve Bonfires

The festival begins on the evening of June 23rd, with the traditional Saint John's bonfires lit in the various hamlets of the village: an ancient rite linked to the summer solstice, illuminating the shortest nights of the year.

The Costume Procession

The heart of the festival is on the morning of June 24th. After the Solemn Mass, a captivating procession in traditional costume takes place through the streets of the historic center. The women parade in the typical red and white Gressoney dress, adorned with the gold filigree cap of sixteenth-century tradition, one of the most precious and recognizable costumes in the Alps. During the celebration, the offering of lambs, an ancient ritual gesture of the community, also takes place.

Folklore and Celebration

At Obre Platz, the village's main square, the Greschoney Trachtengruppe folk group performs, preserving traditional Walser songs and dances. In the afternoon, the festival continues with lunch, music, and dancing. An event that, perhaps more than any other, tells the story of Gressoney-Saint-Jean's identity, in the province of Aosta, blending faith, costume, and German-speaking Alpine culture.