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Bereguardo Fair of Goods and Livestock, known as the "Fiera di San Zeno"
Tradizionale Palio degli Asini e sfida dei risotti alla Sagra di Bereguardo
The Castle of Bereguardo comes alive once again for the 99th Fair of Goods and Livestock, historically known as the "Fiera di San Zeno". From 2 to 5 October 2026, this village overlooking the Ticino river hosts four days of events that weave together rural tradition, food, entertainment and family activities, in a programme organised by the Municipality of Bereguardo with the contribution of the Lombardy Region.
Now nearing its centenary, the fair keeps its agricultural and livestock roots alive, pairing livestock shows and farm equipment exhibitions with more festive moments such as culinary challenges, markets, costumed parades and evening shows, all hosted across the courtyards, halls and moat of the Castle.
Day-by-day programmeFriday 2 October
The fair opens on a culinary note: at 8:30 pm, in the Castle courtyard, the "Risotto and Cake Challenge" (Disfida dei Risotti e delle Torte) takes place. At 9:00 pm, the exhibition of the Bereguardo Historical Group opens to the public inside the Castle.
Saturday 3 October
The day begins at 9:00 am in the Castle courtyards with the Old Things Market, and continues at 10:00 am in the exhibition field with activities for children and a cheese-making workshop, which closes with the traditional "saddle christening". At 2:00 pm come the pasta-eating "contest" for children and the milking "contest", followed at 3:30 pm by a guided tour with workshops. At 5:00 pm, biodegradable balloons are released. From 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm, the Castle's art exhibitions, farm-equipment market and Old Things Market are open, while from 6:00 pm until 1:00 am the Castle courtyard hosts the San Zeno Opening Party, with music and entertainment.
Sunday 4 October
From 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, across the Castle's courtyards and halls, the art exhibitions, farm-equipment market and Old Things Market remain open. In the exhibition field, at 2:30 pm, the traditional pasta "contest" is held, while at 3:30 pm a parade in medieval costume by the Parish of Vellezzo Bellini, accompanied by the Marcignago town band, takes place. The highlight of the day comes at 5:00 pm, in the Castle moat, with the traditional Donkey Race – Palio delle Contrade.
Monday 5 October
The final day is dedicated to the fair's livestock heart: from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm, in the Castle courtyards, the livestock and agriculture market exhibition is open. At 10:30 am, in the exhibition field, the jury inspects the livestock on show, followed at 11:45 am by the awards ceremony for exhibitors. In the evening, at 7:30 pm, the Castle courtyard fills with food and beer stalls, while at 8:30 pm the fire-juggling show "La Chimica del Fuoco" (suitable for adults and children alike) takes the stage, followed by a DJ set that closes the 99th edition of the fair.