Saint Roch Festival
The mid-summer festival in Valle Imagna, between faith, procession, and fireworks
About San Rocco in Costa
A Mid-Summer Event in Valle Imagna
In Costa Valle Imagna, a small municipality nestled on the slopes of Valle Imagna in the province of Bergamo, August 16th is a date eagerly awaited all year round. The Saint Roch Festival is the village's major summer event: a day where the religious and popular dimensions merge, bringing together residents, holidaymakers, and many returning emigrants for the holidays. Documented for years by the local press, starting with L'Eco di Bergamo, it is one of those village festivals that preserve the identity of the upper valley communities of Bergamo.
The Rite and the Procession
The day begins with the solemn morning Mass in the parish church, followed by the traditional charity auction of Saint Roch's throne, a convivial moment that raises funds for the community. In the afternoon, the heart of the festival is the procession: the saint's statue is carried on shoulders through the village streets, decorated for the occasion, accompanied by the faithful and confraternities. Saint Roch, invoked since the Middle Ages as a protector against epidemics, is a figure dear to Bergamascan popular devotion.
The Popular Celebration
The actual festival unfolds around the religious rite. A market of local products and crafts winds through the streets of the historic center, while in the evening, a concert in the parish theater and musical entertainment in the square take place. The most anticipated moment remains the evening fireworks display, which lights up the sky over the Valle Imagna basin and marks the climax of the celebrations.
Why It's Worth It
More than a spectacular event, the Saint Roch Festival is an opportunity to discover the authenticity of a village in the upper Valle Imagna, far from the tourist circuits, where tradition is still alive and participatory. A mid-August day to experience in contact with the locals, amidst flavors, faith, and conviviality.
San Rocco in Costa — edition 2026
In 2026, Costa Valle Imagna will again celebrate its Saint Roch on August 16th. The detailed program is usually released in the weeks prior by the parish and the municipality. Based on previous editions, the day includes the solemn Mass and the auction of the saint's throne in the morning, the procession with the statue through the decorated village streets in the afternoon, and in the evening, a concert, musical entertainment in the square, and a fireworks display.
Programme San Rocco in Costa 2026
The detailed program for the 2026 edition will be published in the weeks prior by the parish and the municipality of Costa Valle Imagna. The usual structure of the day, documented in previous editions, is as follows:
- Morning — Solemn Mass in the parish church; followed by the charity auction of Saint Roch's throne.
- Afternoon — Procession with the statue of Saint Roch through the village streets.
- Evening — Concert in the parish theater, musical entertainment in the square, and concluding fireworks display.
Throughout the day, a market of local products and crafts along the streets of the center.
Highlights San Rocco in Costa 2026
Prices San Rocco in Costa 2026
Practical information — San Rocco in Costa
When
August 16th, every year.
Where
Historic center of Costa Valle Imagna (BG), Valle Imagna. Reachable by car from the SP14 of Valle Imagna; the village is about 30 km from Bergamo.
Admission
Free. The procession and religious celebrations take place in the parish church and through the village streets.
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Where does it take place — San Rocco in Costa
Centro storico di Costa Valle Imagna