San Modesto Festival

The patronal feast of Aldeno

The San Modesto Festival is the patronal feast of Aldeno, a small village in the Vallagarina valley in the province of Trento, within the Trentino-Alto Adige region. The event is dedicated to the saints Vito and Modesto, whose liturgical feast day is June 15th. The parish church, which overlooks Piazza Cesare Battisti—the heart of the village and the natural stage for the festivities—is named after them.

A tradition that brings the whole village together

The festival, organized by the San Modesto Parish Circle in collaboration with the NOI Aldeno Association, takes place over three days, typically in June. It is an event born from the community, for the community: throughout the weekend, the entire village mobilizes, with volunteers, parish groups, and local associations coming together to create a celebration that naturally weaves together the spiritual and the social.

A program of faith and conviviality

Religious observances remain the cornerstone of the festival: the prayer vigil on Friday evening, the Holy Mass on Saturday, and the Solemn Mass on Sunday morning, accompanied by the parish choir, mark the days. Surrounding this core are the more festive offerings:

• Local cuisine served under the marquee, featuring traditional Trentino dishes;
• Neighborhood Palio, with games and challenges featuring the children and teenagers from the village's various districts;
• Concerts and musical evenings featuring the Aldeno social band and guest groups;
• Charity raffle and lottery, with the much-anticipated final draw;
• Tombola for the little ones and activities dedicated to catechism students;
• Outdoor initiatives such as the bicycle ride and family-friendly activities.

A social lunch that unites

One of the most awaited moments is the social lunch on Sunday, a convivial occasion that brings the inhabitants of Aldeno and the many guests visiting the village to the same table. The festival traditionally concludes with the lottery draw, which raises funds to support parish activities.

Aldeno and its identity

The San Modesto Festival is one of the most significant events in Aldeno's calendar: a way to strengthen the bonds of an alpine community that, like many small towns in Trentino, preserves its identity through these celebrations, where religious devotion and togetherness merge into a single, heartfelt tradition.