Feste Vigiliane 2022 - 39th year

“Feste Vigiliane” denominates the festival in which Trento celebrates its patron saint S. Vigilius with games, music, entertainment and historical reenactments.

Having now become one of the most eagerly awaited events of Trentino's summer, the patron saint's festivals are ready to fill the squares and streets of the city centre once again, offering the public moments of leisure, freedom and light-heartedness.

Organised by Centro Servizi Culturali Santa Chiara, on commission by the municipal administration, and with the collaboration of Trento tourist board for some of the most popular events, the 2022 Festival features some new events too. The traditional characters will become the protagonists of adventures and mysterious stories, like in a saga, set in a city with a fantasy flavour, yet retaining the elements of its own history.

Trento will be a stage spread throughout the urban spaces, yet the key events - games, music, entertainment and historical reenactments - will take place in the main squares of the city  from Piazza Fiera to Piazza Duomo, passing by Piazza S. Maria Maggiore, Piazza Cesare Battisti, Piazza Dante, in the streets of Trento city centre, as well as in the districts of S. Martino and Le Albere. Enchanting locations will be of course the Castello del Buonconsiglio and Palazzo Thun.

A lot of events will frame the following traditional rendez-vous:  

Tribunale di penitenza: the trial is an entertaining theatrical performance by a famous comedian; acting as a  judge, he condemns the culprits, who will be sentenced to the “Dunking”, a bath in the river Adige;

Palio dell’Oca: 61 crews take part in the competition and each one has to overcome a wave of obstacles and various challenges;

Tonca: the culprit, who was condemned by the “Tribunale di Penitenza”, is confined in a cage and dipped in the icy waters of the river Adige in order to clean his sins. Ths is a historical reconstruction of a corporal punishment that was inflicted on blasphmers in Trento between the 14th and the 17th century;

Mascherada dei Ciusi e dei Gobj: this parade in costume is the historical reconstruction of the ancient feud between Trento and Feltre, that was fought in order to conquer the esteemed “polenta” (corn mush);

Fuochi di S. Vigilio: grand finale with the St. Vigilius Fireworks.

Last but not least, the Magica Notte (Magic Night) will spread its energy and enthusiasm all over the streets of the old town centre and in the district Le Albere.