San Giovanni Polenta Feast

The patronal festival in the heart of the Cuneo area

In Pianfei, a village in the Monregalese area of the Province of Cuneo (Piedmont), June 24th is no ordinary date: it is the feast day of Saint John the Baptist, the town's patron saint. To celebrate, the community gathers for the San Giovanni Polenta Feast, a grand polenta banquet that has long drawn locals, families, and curious visitors alike into a genuine, festive atmosphere.

Polenta and ballroom dancing

The formula follows the best Piedmontese traditions: first, a polenta dinner served by local volunteers, followed by live music that turns the square into a dance floor. The evening's entertainment is provided by the Sonia De Castelli orchestra, featuring saxophonist Fiorenzo Tassinari—a long-time member of the famous Orchestra Casadei—guaranteeing a night of traditional liscio and group dancing until late.

Part of the "Giugno Insieme a Pianfei" calendar

The Polenta Feast is not an isolated event but a key highlight of the "Giugno Insieme a Pianfei" program, which weaves together tradition, entertainment, and social life over more than two weeks. The calendar includes the Palio dei Rioni, musical evenings, the Wheat Festival and Transhumance—celebrating the town's agricultural roots—and a grand finale dance party to close the festivities.

A community tradition

Like many patronal festivals in the Cuneo region, the San Giovanni Polenta Feast thrives on the hard work of local associations, the Pro Loco, and volunteers. It is a simple, authentic opportunity to discover Pianfei, savor local village cuisine, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a community gathering around its patron saint in the heart of summer.