Vaglio Pettinengo Patronal Feast - Dinner Under the Stars

A village festival on the slopes of Monte Turlo

The Vaglio Pettinengo Patronal Feast is one of the most cherished summer events in Vaglio, a small village within the municipality of Pettinengo, in the Province of Biella, in the heart of Piedmont. Nestled on the eastern slopes of Monte Turlo, amidst the meadows and woods typical of the Biellese foothills, Vaglio keeps its devotion to its patron saint, Saint Bernard of Menthon, alive every year, traditionally celebrated on the second Sunday of July.

Saint Bernard and the parish church

The religious heart of the festival is the parish church of Saint Bernard, a reconstruction of a 17th-century oratory first mentioned in 1656. The current building was first consecrated in 1768 and preserves its original masonry high altar and carved wooden tabernacle. During the festival, the community gathers at the parish church for the liturgical celebration dedicated to the patron saint, a moment that has marked the village calendar for generations.

The Dinner Under the Stars

Alongside the religious devotion, the convivial highlight of the event is the Dinner Under the Stars, the open-air evening that gives the festival its name. Organized by the volunteers of the Pro Loco Vaglio Pettinengo, the dinner features traditional Biellese and Piedmontese dishes, served under the summer sky in a simple, family-friendly atmosphere. It is the perfect occasion for the small community of Vaglio to reunite, welcoming friends, expatriate relatives, and passing visitors.

The Pro Loco, the community's driving force

The Pro Loco Vaglio Pettinengo, which reaches its 53rd year of activity in 2026, is the association that enlivens the village throughout the year. In addition to the Patronal Feast, it organizes highly popular events such as the Chestnut Festival in autumn, the Bagnacauda dinner, the winter Fagiolata (bean stew festival), and other themed evenings, helping to keep the mountain community united and promoting local products.

An authentic appointment in the Biella area

Far from large-scale events and mass tourism, the Vaglio Patronal Feast represents the most genuine soul of Piedmontese village festivals: a blend of faith, culinary tradition, and neighborhood bonds. For those visiting the Biella area in summer, it is a precious opportunity to discover an authentic village and the hospitality of a small community that proudly guards its roots.