San Rocco Festival

A Village Festival in the Heart of Val Luretta

The San Rocco Festival is one of the most cherished summer events in Gazzola, a hillside municipality of just over two thousand inhabitants nestled in the Val Luretta, in the province of Piacenza (Emilia-Romagna). Every year, in the days around mid-August, the Gazzola Sports Field transforms into the beating heart of the town: for three consecutive evenings, the community gathers around good food, music, and dancing, in a family-friendly and welcoming atmosphere that attracts visitors from all over the region.

Piacenza Cuisine Takes Center Stage

The real draw of the festival are the food stalls, open every evening starting from 7:00 PM. The menu celebrates the specialties of Piacenza tradition: from pisarei e fasò to tortelli, from porchetta to skewers, to pork knuckle, pizza, and much more. It's the perfect opportunity to discover the flavors of a territory, the one between the Trebbia River and the Luretta stream, long renowned for its food and wine production.

Dancing and Entertainment

The heart of the entertainment is the renowned 300-square-meter steel dance floor, which has become a reference point over the years for liscio dance enthusiasts of all ages. Each evening is accompanied by live orchestras, while around the dance floor, you'll find market stalls, games for children, and the charity stall, which donates proceeds to solidarity causes.

An Event Organized by Pro Loco

The event is passionately organized by Pro Loco Gazzola, a historic local association that has kept this tradition alive for decades. Entry is free, and you can leave a donation to support the association's activities and the town's initiatives.

What to See in Gazzola

The festival is also an excellent opportunity to explore the local area. A short walk away is the village of Rivalta, the municipal seat, famous for its Rivalta Castle, one of the most evocative historic residences in the Piacenza area, set within the Trebbia River Regional Park. Amidst hills, vineyards, and ancient manor houses, the Val Luretta offers an ideal setting to combine the festival with the discovery of lesser-known Emilia-Romagna.