Santa Croce Fair
The festival that kicks off the event season in Molino dei Torti
About Santa Croce Fair
The Santa Croce Fair in Molino dei Torti
Every year, at the beginning of May, the small town of Molino dei Torti — nestled in the Tortona plains of the province of Alessandria, Piedmont — comes alive for its Santa Croce Fair. It is the appointment that traditionally opens the village's event season, drawing residents and visitors from the nearby towns of the Terre di Fiume Union.
A tradition between faith and market
The fair recalls the ancient peasant market linked to the devotion to the Holy Cross: it was once held for the buying and selling of work animals, agricultural tools, seeds, and various goods. Today, that spirit survives in the agricultural market stalls and the booths of hobbyists and nurserymen that fill the town center on Sunday morning, while the religious dimension remains vibrant with the solemn Holy Mass accompanied by the parish choir and the Via Lucis, the outdoor spiritual path designed for both children and adults.
Two days of community
The program weaves together diverse moments: from the "Knowledge Stall" dedicated to books to the local aperitif, from the evening fashion show "Fashion Under the Stars" to creative workshops discovering the town's history, and finally the Senior Citizens' Festival, which pays tribute to the community's elders. It is a village festival in the most authentic sense, built by the volunteers of the Pro Loco Molinese together with the Municipal Administration.
A festival of solidarity
For several years, the Santa Croce Fair has also had a charitable heart: during the event, a fundraiser for the "Franca Cassola Pasquali" association is presented, destined for the Breast Unit of the Tortona Hospital. It has become one of the pillars of the Pro Loco's annual calendar, a sign of how a small country festival can transform into a concrete gesture for the local area.
Why it's worth visiting
- Authentic atmosphere of a Piedmontese village festival, far from mass tourism
- Market of agricultural products, plants, and local crafts
- Religious tradition with solemn Mass and Via Lucis
- Events for all ages, from children to seniors
- A charitable cause supporting healthcare in the Tortona area
Santa Croce Fair — edition 2026
The 2026 edition was held despite uncertain weather and recorded strong community participation. Among the most popular moments were the historical guided tour led by the village children, the fashion show, and the dance performances. The charitable core of the event, the fundraiser for the "Franca Cassola Pasquali" association for the Breast Unit of the Tortona Hospital, raised 1,097 euros, confirming itself as one of the pillars of the Pro Loco Molinese's annual calendar.
Programme Santa Croce Fair 2026
Saturday, May 2, 2026
- 17:30 — "Knowledge Stall": a journey through books in the Parish Hall garden (reservations 348 9217934)
- 17:30 — Creative workshop "Discovering Secret Molino"
- 18:45 — "The Taste: local aperitif" (reservations 339 4260815, 338 3622214)
- Evening — Music with DJ Malvos
- 21:15 — "Fashion Under the Stars": fashion show of the spring-summer 2026 collections with Tino Centro Moda, Hair Stylist SoftLine, and the Fit Dance gym
Sunday, May 3, 2026
- 9:30 — Opening of the Fair with stalls of agricultural products, hobbyists, and nurserymen
- 9:30 — Solemn Holy Mass with the "F. Nascimbene" Choir
- Morning — "Via Lucis": spiritual path for children and adults
- 12:30 — Santa Croce Lunch (booking recommended)
- 15:30 — Creative workshop
- 16:30 — Senior Citizens' Festival
Highlights Santa Croce Fair 2026
Prices Santa Croce Fair 2026
Practical information — Santa Croce Fair
How to get there
Molino dei Torti is located in the Tortona plains, in the province of Alessandria, a few kilometers from Tortona and Castelnuovo Scrivia. By car, it can be reached from the A21 motorway (Tortona exit) or the A7; by train, the reference station is Tortona, which is well connected on the Milan–Genoa line.
When
The fair is typically held on the first weekend of May, over two days (Saturday and Sunday).
Admission and bookings
Access to the fair and the stalls is free. For initiatives with limited seating (aperitif, Santa Croce lunch, workshops), booking is recommended by contacting the Pro Loco Molinese (tel. +39 348 9217934, +39 339 4260815, +39 338 3622214).
Tips
Arrive on Sunday morning to fully experience the market and the solemn Mass; Saturday evening is instead dedicated to the fashion show and conviviality.
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Where does it take place — Santa Croce Fair
Centro storico e Salone Parrocchiale