San Lorenzo Festival – Gnocco Fritto Festival and Fireworks

The patronal feast of Cabella Ligure

The San Lorenzo Festival is the most beloved event in Cabella Ligure, a small village in the Val Borbera, located in the Province of Alessandria, in the mountainous heart of Piedmont. Despite its name, Cabella belongs to the Piedmont region and sits within the historic-cultural territory of the Quattro Province (Alessandria, Genoa, Pavia, and Piacenza), a crossroads of musical and gastronomic traditions passed down for centuries.

San Lorenzo, celebrated on August 10th, is the town's patron saint. It is commemorated with great enthusiasm, even by former residents who return to their native village every summer to reunite. The festival blends religious observance with popular celebration in a program spanning several evenings.

The gnocco fritto festival

The culinary heart of the event is the gnocco fritto festival: this golden, airy fried dough is served hot, paired with local cured meats and cheeses. It is a convivial dish that brings residents and visitors together in the town square to enjoy meals at outdoor tables during the warm August evenings.

Fireworks and musical evenings

The most anticipated moment is the fireworks display that lights up the Val Borbera sky late in the evening, "waiting for San Lorenzo" in sync with the famous shooting stars of the night of Saint Lawrence. The celebration continues with music and DJ sets: after a convivial dinner under the trees, the village comes alive with dance music that keeps everyone, young and old, dancing until late at night.

Between the sacred and tradition

The religious aspect includes a sung mass on the afternoon of August 10th, accompanied by the Alta Val Borbera Choir, followed by a procession carrying the saint's statue through the village streets, led by the local marching band. During the days surrounding the festival, there is also space for the traditional music of the Quattro Province, featuring the piffero—a popular double-reed oboe accompanied by an accordion—which is the star of ancient songs and dances that make this area of the Apennines unique.

A village to experience in summer

Attending the San Lorenzo Festival means discovering an authentic corner of mountainous Piedmont, far from the beaten path. Cabella Ligure offers pristine nature, hiking trails, and a genuine village atmosphere where the patronal feast remains a defining event that unites multiple generations.