San Pancrazio Patronal Festival
The patronal feast of Silvano d'Orba, blending faith, vintage car rallies, and a lively May fair
About San Pancrazio
The patronal festival of Silvano d'Orba
In the heart of south-eastern Piedmont, where the hills of the Alto Monferrato slope down toward the Orba valley, the municipality of Silvano d'Orba (Alessandria province) dedicates a month-long festival every May to its patron saint, Saint Pancras the Martyr. While the liturgical feast falls on May 12th, the celebrations span the entire month, involving the parish, the local council, and community associations in a calendar that bridges religious observance with popular conviviality.
Between devotion and popular tradition
The core of the festival remains the devotion to the patron saint: religious celebrations in the parish church mark the central days, highlighted by the solemn mass dedicated to San Pancrazio. Over time, a series of initiatives has grown around this act of faith, turning the festival into a highly anticipated event that extends well beyond municipal borders, uniting generations and keeping the identity of this Ovadese village alive.
The vintage car and motorcycle rally
One of the most iconic events is the San Pancrazio Vintage Car and Motorcycle Rally, now boasting over twenty years of history. Classic vehicles gather in the town center, are displayed in Piazza Cesare Battisti, and then parade through the historic sites of the local area, accompanied by food and wine tastings. It is an occasion that combines a passion for classic engines with the discovery of the Orba hill landscape, with proceeds often donated to charity.
Music and the Parish Oratory
Alongside the rally, there are musical and entertainment events hosted in the Parish Oratory hall. The evenings feature concerts and performances ranging from Italian classics to international repertoire and musicals, all within the familiar, welcoming atmosphere that has always defined the Silvano festival.
The San Pancrazio Fair
Ideally closing the month of festivities is the San Pancrazio Fair, which fills the town streets with stalls, exhibitors, and visitors. The fair, regulated annually by municipal traffic ordinances and supported by dedicated public transport services, is the most popular and crowded moment of the festival: a large open-air market that draws crowds from Ovada and neighboring towns, turning Silvano d'Orba into the meeting point for the entire region.
San Pancrazio — edition 2026
La festa patronale 2026 ha confermato il suo programma diffuso lungo tutto il mese di maggio, con tre appuntamenti principali a Silvano d'Orba (Provincia di Alessandria). L'apertura è stata affidata al raduno di mezzi d'epoca, seguito dalla serata musicale e dalle celebrazioni liturgiche, per chiudersi con la grande fiera che ha animato le vie del paese.
L'edizione si è confermata uno degli appuntamenti più partecipati dell'Ovadese, capace di unire la dimensione religiosa della festa del patrono San Pancrazio agli eventi popolari e conviviali che da anni la accompagnano.
Programme San Pancrazio 2026
Domenica 3 maggio — 21° Raduno di auto e moto storiche di San Pancrazio
- Ore 8:00–12:00 — Iscrizioni presso il gazebo in via Roma, con consegna del gadget e degustazione della colazione
- Piazza Cesare Battisti — Esposizione dei mezzi d'epoca con proposte enogastronomiche
- Ore 12:00 — Partenza del tour tra i luoghi tipici e antichi dei centri storici del territorio
- Ore 13:00 — Pranzo presso Villa Bottaro (prenotazione obbligatoria; ricavato devoluto in beneficenza)
Sabato 9 maggio — Spettacolo musicale "Musica Insieme 2026"
- Ore 21:00 — Salone dell'Oratorio Parrocchiale
- Esibizione del gruppo Cantachiaro (sei voci: Marco Gelli, Ugo Chiappino, Angela Minetti, Fabiola Oltracqua, Daniela Minetti, Simona Minetti), con un repertorio che spazia tra musica italiana di epoche diverse, musica internazionale e musical
Martedì 12 maggio — Festa liturgica di San Pancrazio
- Celebrazioni religiose e messa solenne dedicata al santo patrono nella chiesa parrocchiale
Lunedì 18 maggio — Fiera di San Pancrazio
- Fiera commerciale con bancarelle ed espositori lungo le vie del paese
- In vigore l'ordinanza comunale n. 10/2026 per la disciplina della sosta e della circolazione; servizio di trasporto pubblico dedicato (linea 63)
Highlights San Pancrazio 2026
Prices San Pancrazio 2026
Practical information — San Pancrazio
Getting there
Silvano d'Orba is located in the province of Alessandria, in the Ovadese area. By car, it can be reached via the A26 Genoa–Gravellona motorway (Ovada or Alessandria Sud exits) and the network of provincial roads connecting Ovada to the provincial capital. The nearest train station is in Ovada, on the Genoa–Acqui Terme line.
When
The festivities take place throughout May, with the patron saint's day on May 12th. The vintage vehicle rally and the fair have their own specific dates within the month; it is advisable to check the calendar on the Silvano d'Orba municipal website.
Practical tips
During the fair, municipal ordinances regarding traffic and parking are in effect; dedicated public transport services (line 63) are available. It is recommended to consult the municipality's notices for parking and traffic information.
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Where does it take place — San Pancrazio
Centro storico, Oratorio Parrocchiale e piazza Cesare Battisti