From 15 to 19 October 2026, Borgo San Siro, a village in western Lomellina about 12 kilometres from Pavia, comes alive for Borgo in Festa, the annual patron saint festival celebrating local history, culture, music and traditions over five days. Organised by the Municipality of Borgo San Siro with support from inLombardia and the Lombardy Region, the programme includes cultural evenings, concerts, exhibitions, a chestnut festival, traditional games, a major medieval reenactment day and two evenings of music and DJ sets for those who enjoy entertainment in the village square.

The highlight is Sunday 18 October, the third Sunday of the month, when the village traditionally celebrates its patron saint, San Siro. Market stalls, a solemn Mass, workshops, a medieval encampment and a historical parade fill the town centre throughout the day. In the late afternoon, at the parish oratory sports field, the Arcadia Fly Team offers completely free hot-air balloon ascents, weather permitting.

Borgo in Festa 2026 at a glance

Event: Borgo in Festa – Borgo San Siro Patron Saint Festival

Dates: Thursday 15 to Monday 19 October 2026

Location: Borgo San Siro (PV), Lomellina – Piazza Unità d'Italia, Sala Beccaria, parish church, school courtyard, Community Centre and Oratory

Organisers: Municipality of Borgo San Siro, with support from inLombardia and the Lombardy Region, together with the local Pro Loco association, Municipal Library, Commenda San Giorgio Association and other local organisations

Highlights: 1980s, 1990s and 2000s music night (Saturday 17 October, 9 pm); medieval parade and Palio del Pegione (Sunday 18 October, from 2.30 pm); free hot-air balloon ascents (Sunday 18 October, from 5.30 pm); Follia Dance (Monday 19 October, 9 pm)

Also on offer: funfair in Piazza Unità d'Italia, charity raffle and art exhibition at the Oratory, and street food on Saturday, Sunday and Monday evenings.

Borgo in Festa 2026: the day-by-day programme

Thursday 15 October: “Carolingian and Gothic Script” cultural evening

The festival opens at 9 pm at Sala Beccaria with a cultural evening organised by the Municipal Library and the Commenda San Giorgio Association. The event explores two forms of medieval handwriting: Carolingian and Gothic script. It introduces the historical theme that runs throughout the festival.

Friday 16 October: “Spiritual Elevation Through Music”

At 9 pm, the parish church hosts a concert organised by the Borgo parish choir, featuring Zefiro Vocal Ensemble, Baroque Ensemble, the “Vivace con brio” Choir and the Santa Cecilia Choir from Garlasco. The evening brings together several local choral groups for a celebration of music and community.

Saturday 17 October: chestnuts, traditional games and 1980s, 1990s and 2000s music

The day begins at 11 am at Sala Beccaria with the presentation of the Italian Constitution to local residents turning 18, a civic occasion dedicated to the village's young adults.

From 2.30 pm, the Pro Loco association serves roasted chestnuts and fritters in Piazza Unità d'Italia, while the Commenda San Giorgio Association organises traditional games in the school courtyard. Visitors can also enjoy a sightseeing tour of the village aboard the Jambotrain, a small tourist train suitable for the whole family.

At Sala Beccaria, visitors can see an exhibition organised by Bilionummus and a photography exhibition by Paola Cariati. Both exhibitions are open on Saturday and Sunday from 2.30 pm to 7 pm and from 9 pm to 11 pm.

At 5.30 pm, Mass takes place at Torrazza, a hamlet of Borgo San Siro.

The evening continues at 9 pm in Piazza Unità d'Italia with “A Journey Through the History of Music”, a musical event featuring hits from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s, performed by MITO Dance Generation.

Sunday 18 October: market stalls, medieval encampment and historical parade

Sunday is the main day of Borgo in Festa, with activities taking place throughout the village.

From 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, Piazza Unità d'Italia hosts market stalls, craft and hobby stands, and a car exhibition organised by the Vecchio Stile Association from Garlasco. At 11.15 am, a solemn Mass is celebrated in the presence of the municipal administration.

From 2.30 pm, the village becomes a series of activity areas for visitors of all ages. In the square, the Pro Loco serves roasted chestnuts and fritters, alongside creative workshops and activities. Gianluigi Pedrinelli's paintings are exhibited at the primary school, while the Community Centre hosts a model-making exhibition featuring demonstrations on a track.

In the municipal courtyard, the Commenda San Giorgio Association sets up a medieval encampment. Meanwhile, in the school courtyard, the Ticino Park Civil Protection team from the Parasacco unit offers information and activities for visitors.

The medieval parade also sets off at 2.30 pm, winding through the village streets before continuing in the school courtyard with four performances:

• Flag-waving display, featuring the Musici e Alfieri dell'Onda Sforzesca group.

• Medieval sword-fighting demonstration, organised by the Commenda San Giorgio Association.

• Medieval dances, performed by the Associazione Medievale Garlaschese.

• Palio del Pegione, a traditional competition organised by the Arcieri dell'Olmo archery group from Mortara.

In the late afternoon, the celebrations continue at the Oratory sports field with hot-air balloon ascents.

Monday 19 October: “Follia Dance” in Piazza Unità d'Italia

The festival draws to a close on Monday evening at 9 pm in Piazza Unità d'Italia with “Follia Dance”. Letizia Mason performs some of the best-loved dance hits, followed by a DJ set featuring Luciano Boido and Max M.

Free hot-air balloon ascents with Arcadia Fly Team

One of Sunday's most distinctive attractions is the hot-air balloon experience. On 18 October, at the Oratory sports field in Borgo San Siro, Arcadia Fly Team, celebrating its tenth anniversary, will begin inflating the balloon at 5.15 pm, with ascents scheduled to start at 5.30 pm.

The experience is completely free of charge.

The activity depends on weather and safety conditions. Strong winds or bad weather may prevent the balloon from taking off, so visitors are advised to check the Municipality's official channels for updates before travelling.

Funfair, street food and charity raffle

Throughout the festival, Piazza Unità d'Italia hosts a funfair, while the Oratory offers a charity raffle and an art exhibition.

On Saturday, Sunday and Monday, street food is provided by the “Ali nel vento” Civil Protection group, giving visitors the opportunity to enjoy a meal before or after the evening entertainment.

Borgo San Siro: location and reasons to visit Lomellina

Borgo San Siro is a municipality of around 960 residents in western Lomellina, in the province of Pavia, approximately 30 kilometres from Pavia and 50 kilometres from Milan. Its landscape of open countryside and rice fields includes the rural hamlet of Torrazza. The village maintains a strong connection with its patron saint, San Siro, traditionally remembered as the first bishop of Pavia.

Borgo in Festa is an opportunity to discover a quieter corner of the Pavia countryside, away from the busiest tourist routes. The visit can be combined with a trip to Pavia or to nearby towns in Lomellina, such as Vigevano and Garlasco.

Frequently asked questions about Borgo in Festa 2026

When does Borgo in Festa 2026 take place?

The festival runs from Thursday 15 to Monday 19 October 2026. The main day is Sunday 18 October, featuring market stalls, a solemn Mass, a medieval parade and hot-air balloon ascents.

Where is the festival held?

In Borgo San Siro, in the province of Pavia. The main venue is Piazza Unità d'Italia, with additional events at Sala Beccaria, the parish church, the school courtyard, the Community Centre and the Oratory.

Are the hot-air balloon ascents free?

Yes. On Sunday 18 October, at the Oratory sports field, balloon inflation is scheduled for 5.15 pm, with ascents starting at 5.30 pm, organised by Arcadia Fly Team. The activity is subject to weather and safety conditions.

What can visitors do on Sunday 18 October?

From 9.30 am to 6.30 pm, visitors can browse market stalls, craft stands and a car exhibition in the main square. Solemn Mass takes place at 11.15 am. From 2.30 pm, the programme includes workshops, roasted chestnuts, a medieval encampment, a historical parade and live performances. Hot-air balloon activities begin at the Oratory sports field from 5.15 pm, weather permitting.

Are there live music events and DJ sets?

Yes. On Friday 16 October at 9 pm, the parish church hosts the “Spiritual Elevation Through Music” concert. On Saturday 17 October at 9 pm, MITO Dance Generation presents an evening of hits from the 1980s, 1990s and 2000s. On Monday 19 October at 9 pm, “Follia Dance” features Letizia Mason, followed by a DJ set with Luciano Boido and Max M. Both dance events take place in Piazza Unità d'Italia.

Where can visitors eat during the festival?

The Pro Loco serves roasted chestnuts and fritters in Piazza Unità d'Italia on Saturday and Sunday from 2.30 pm. Street food organised by the “Ali nel vento” Civil Protection group is available on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

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