San Sisto Festival with the Firefighters

A village festival in the heart of the Valsugana

The San Sisto Festival with the Firefighters is the most anticipated summer event in Caldonazzo, a town in the Valsugana valley overlooking the lake of the same name, in the Province of Trento (Trentino-Alto Adige). Every year, in early August, the town gathers to honor its patron saint, Saint Sixtus II, whose feast day falls on August 7th. The event is passionately organized by the Caldonazzo Volunteer Firefighters in collaboration with the local municipal administration and has become one of the community's most deeply rooted traditions.

Four days of conviviality

For a long weekend, the festival grounds and the fire station on Via G. Marconi transform into the town's vibrant hub. The program blends gastronomy, music, and social gatherings, attracting locals, vacationers, and tourists who flock to Lake Caldonazzo during the summer.

• Traditional Trentino cuisine served every evening under the marquee, featuring local specialties;
• Musical evenings with live bands, orchestras, and DJ sets to liven up the summer nights;
• San Sisto Trophy, the technical skills competition for firefighters, representing the "sporting" and identity-driven heart of the festival;
• Market and stalls, with the historic San Sisto fair filling the historic center of Caldonazzo with dozens of exhibitors on Sunday.

The bond with the Firefighters

What makes this festival special is the role of the Volunteer Firefighters, a pillar of social life in the Trentino region. They are not just organizers but the protagonists: the event is both a village festival and a showcase for volunteerism, serving as a fundraiser to support the corps and strengthen ties between the teams of the Valsugana. The San Sisto Trophy puts the dexterity, speed, and teamwork of the firefighters to the test under the amused gaze of the public.

Tradition and community

The festival combines religious elements—such as the Mass in honor of the patron saint accompanied by the Caldonazzo Band—with the secular nature of a village fair, following a model typical of Trentino towns. It is an opportunity to rediscover the sense of community in Caldonazzo, savor the flavors of the Valsugana, and experience summer by the lake away from the major tourist circuits.

A summer on Lake Caldonazzo

The festival takes place in an exceptional natural setting: Lake Caldonazzo is one of the warmest swimmable basins in the Alps and a beloved destination for families and water sports enthusiasts. Attending the San Sisto Festival means combining a relaxing lakeside holiday with the authenticity of a true Trentino village celebration.