Santa Croce Festival and Fair

The patronal feast at the heart of Tortona

The Santa Croce Festival and Fair is the most deeply rooted popular event in Tortona, located in the Province of Alessandria, Piedmont. Traditionally celebrated around the second Sunday of May, it revolves around the veneration of a relic of the Holy Cross, kept above the first altar in the right nave of the city's Cathedral. For three days, the historic center transforms into a vibrant meeting place where religious observance coexists with a bustling fair and family-friendly fun.

A fair that fills the squares

The commercial heart of the event is the historic fair: hundreds of stalls line the streets and squares of the center, stretching from the gardens of Corso Leoniero and the station area to the ancient core of the city. Unmissable highlights include the car exhibition by local dealers along Via Emilia and the agricultural machinery show in Piazza Duomo, which pay homage to the agricultural and productive heritage of the Tortona region. Meanwhile, in Piazza Allende, the funfair lights up, providing the main attraction for children.

Culture, exhibitions, and family activities

Alongside the fair, the festival offers a rich cultural calendar: art exhibitions, displays, and free tours of the city's cultural landmarks such as Palazzo Guidobono, home to the MA-DE museum and the Civic Art Gallery. There are also plenty of activities for younger visitors, such as road safety education courses for children in Piazza Duomo, and initiatives dedicated to nature and animals, including the Canile in Festa (Kennel Festival) and canine demonstrations.

The religious core

The spiritual centerpiece of the event remains the Pontifical Mass in the Cathedral, celebrated on Sunday morning, which draws the local community and faithful from neighboring towns to the city center. The festival thus unites, in one great three-day event, the ancient devotion of a city that also guards the remains of Saint Marziano, the first evangelizer and patron saint of the Diocese, within its Cathedral.

Why it's worth visiting

• One of the most vibrant patronal feasts in south-eastern Piedmont.
• A fair featuring hundreds of stalls in the historic center.
• Car and agricultural machinery displays, plus a funfair for families.
• Free exhibitions and tours of city museums.
• Free admission to all main activities.