Saint Martin Festival and Farmers' Thanksgiving

A patron saint festival in the heart of Val Rendena

The Saint Martin Festival and Farmers' Thanksgiving takes place in Villa Rendena, a village in the municipality of Porte di Rendena, in the province of Trento, in the heart of Val Rendena (Giudicarie), in Trentino-Alto Adige. Saint Martin is the patron saint of the Villa Rendena community, and his feast day in early November is one of the most popular events in the valley, where religious devotion intertwines with the farmers' gratitude for the year's harvest.

Farmers' Thanksgiving and the blessing of the tractors

The heart of the event is the Farmers' Thanksgiving Festival, which celebrates mountain agriculture and the rural traditions of Val Rendena. After Holy Mass and a procession accompanied by the local band, the evocative blessing of the tractors takes place, with vehicles arriving from across the valley and neighbouring towns. The most anticipated moment is the grand tractor parade through the village streets: vintage vehicles and tractors decorated with flowers, hay bales, and creative displays are showcased, culminating in the awarding of the most beautifully decorated tractor.

A programme blending tradition and conviviality

The festival spans several days. The opening evening is dedicated to culture, featuring live music and a dialect theatre performance staged by local companies under the heated marquee. Sunday is dedicated to the agricultural world, with a rich programme including:

• the arrival and blessing of the tractors after Holy Mass;
• markets featuring local products and an exhibition of agricultural machinery;
• a traditional Trentino lunch in the heated marquee;
• the tractor parade through the village streets;
• an afternoon snack with chestnuts and mulled wine, accompanied by music;
• the prize-giving ceremony for the best-decorated tractor and final prize draws.

A community tradition

The event is organised by the Municipality of Porte di Rendena in collaboration with the Pro Loco Villa Verdesina-Javrè, the Saint Martin Committee, and local associations, which involve the entire population every year. The festival is an authentic expression of the Val Rendena identity, where the bond with the land, livestock, and agricultural work remains vibrant and is celebrated with pride in an atmosphere of great conviviality.