San Luigi Festival and Rioni Tournament

The patronal feast of Alice Castello

The San Luigi Festival is the most anticipated summer event in Alice Castello, a town in the Province of Vercelli, nestled in the heart of the rice-growing plains of Eastern Piedmont. Dedicated to San Luigi Gonzaga, the patron saint of youth, the festival enlivens Piazza Ballario—the town's main square—for four consecutive evenings in late June, turning it into a vibrant community gathering spot.

Organized by the Pro Loco of Alice Castello, the event is a classic example of a Piedmontese village festival: free, popular, and deeply rooted in the local culture. Locals and visitors from the surrounding Bassa Vercellese area gather here every evening to dine, listen to music, and dance under the stars in a convivial atmosphere.

The food stall

The beating heart of the festival is the food stall, which opens every evening at 7:00 PM. The Pro Loco kitchen serves classic Piedmontese and Vercelli dishes, with a special focus on panissa, the signature rice dish of this land of rice paddies, alongside Piedmontese mixed fried platters, paella, and other specialties. A bar service with cocktails is also available to accompany the evenings.

The Rioni Tournament

The most playful and identity-defining part of the festival is the Rioni Tournament, which sees the town's four historic districts—Prelle, Avate, Mandulera, and Jurales—compete for the Palio. Conceived by the youth of the DEN group and organized by the Itaca Association in collaboration with the Pro Loco and the Municipality, the tournament features a mix of skill games, fun challenges, and team trials: from card games to human bowling, egg tossing, and beer pong for adults, to costume races and the evening "Ghigliottina" flash quiz for those who prefer a mental challenge.

Music, cars, and fireworks

Every evening, the festival features live bands and DJs that keep the square dancing until late at night. The final Sunday is the most action-packed day: in the morning, a car show fills the town center, while in the evening, around 10:00 PM, the sky above Alice Castello lights up with a traditional fireworks display to mark the end of the patronal feast.

Why it's worth visiting

The San Luigi Festival is the perfect opportunity to experience an authentic Piedmontese village celebration, far from the major tourist circuits. Between the aroma of panissa, the neighborhood rivalry, and the fireworks, Alice Castello showcases the most genuine side of the Vercelli province and its community traditions.