San Rocco Celebrations
The San Rocco feast in the Natisone Valleys
About San Rocco Feast
San Rocco in the Natisone Valleys
The San Rocco Celebrations are one of the most cherished summer events in the Natisone Valleys, a region with Slovene language and culture on the eastern border of Friuli. They take place in Merso di Sopra, a hamlet of the municipality of San Leonardo in the province of Udine, around mid-August, and for many years have attracted people from all the valleys to the Parco delle Scuole.
Flavors of the Valleys
Food is one of the main stars of the festival. On the tables, you'll find stakagne, a traditional purée of potatoes with green beans, lard, and vinegar from the Valleys' tradition, wild boar gnocchi, goulash, and the ever-present grilled meats. It's the genuine and hearty cuisine of a mountain territory, to be enjoyed at outdoor tables in good company.
Sport, Tradition, and Fun
The program is very rich: football and volleyball tournaments, the Marcia in Rosa (Pink Walk) in support of LILT, a tractor rally, lunch for the elderly, and fun events like the "Beard and Moustache" competition. A festival that combines sport, solidarity, and popular tradition.
Evenings of Music Under the Stars
Every evening is for dancing and celebrating with orchestras, tribute bands, DJ sets, and shows, culminating in a grand finale with music and fireworks illuminating the sky of the Natisone Valleys. Organized by the San Rocco Festival Committee, these days of celebration are the perfect opportunity to discover the authentic soul of this corner of eastern Friuli.
San Rocco Feast — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the San Rocco Celebrations returns to Merso di Sopra around mid-August (patron saint's day is August 16th), at the Parco delle Scuole. The precise dates will be confirmed by the San Rocco Festival Committee in the weeks prior.
The festival features typical specialties of the Natisone Valleys, from stakagne to wild boar gnocchi, alongside sports tournaments, the Marcia in Rosa, the tractor rally, live music evenings, and a grand finale with fireworks.
Programme San Rocco Feast 2026
The San Rocco Celebrations span several days at the Parco delle Scuole in Merso di Sopra. Based on previous editions, the program typically includes:
- Opening: children's entertainment, tournaments (morra, football, volleyball), a night walk, live music, and DJ sets.
- Marcia in Rosa (Pink Walk) in support of LILT and lunch for the elderly.
- Tractor rally and the fun "Beard and Moustache" competition.
- Evenings with orchestras, tribute bands, and DJs.
- Grand Finale: closing concert and fireworks display.
Throughout the festival, food stalls will be open serving typical Valleys specialties: stakagne, wild boar gnocchi, goulash, and grilled meats. The detailed program with dates and times will be published by the Festival Committee in the weeks leading up to the event.
Highlights San Rocco Feast 2026
Prices San Rocco Feast 2026
Practical information — San Rocco Feast
How to get there: Merso di Sopra is a hamlet of San Leonardo, in the Natisone Valleys (UD), reachable by car from Cividale del Friuli. The festival is held at the Parco delle Scuole.
Admission: free. Food and drinks at the stalls. Info: [email protected], tel. 342 6149087.
When: mid-August, around August 16th (San Rocco's day).
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Where does it take place — San Rocco Feast
Parco delle Scuole - Merso di Sopra