Feast of St James 2026

On 25 and 26 July 2026 Gavi, an elegant village in southern Piedmont, famous for its wine and dominated by its imposing fortress, celebrates its patron saint with the traditional Feast of St James the Greater, one of the most cherished events of the year for the Gavi community.

The festival combines religious devotion, folk traditions and festive celebrations, transforming the historic centre into a meeting place where residents, visitors and many Gavi natives returning to their hometown share two days of conviviality.

The most solemn moment of the event is the Holy Mass celebrated on Saturday 25 July at 5.30 pm in the Parish Church of San Giacomo Maggiore, dedicated to the village’s patron saint. A rich programme of events organised by the Town Council, the Pro Loco and local associations takes place around the religious celebration.

From 7.00 pm, Piazza Dante becomes the heart of the festivities with AperistreetFood, organised by the Gavi Pro Loco. Food and drink, street food and the DJ set by Lorenzo Pallavidino will entertain the crowd until the eagerly awaited fireworks display, scheduled for 22:15, which will light up the sky above the village and the picturesque Fort of Gavi.

The San Giacomo Fair and the brass band concert

On Sunday 26 July, the historic centre hosts the traditional Fiera di Merci Varie, with stalls selling crafts, local specialities and street vendors bringing the town’s streets to life throughout the day.

The festivities conclude at 21:15, at Corte Zerbo, with a concert by the Corpo Musicale Romualdo Marenco di Novi Ligure, a long-standing event that brings the patron saint’s celebrations to a close in the spirit of music and tradition.

The Feast of St James is one of Gavi’s most distinctive events, a perfect opportunity to explore the village, savour the region’s finest food and wine, and experience an authentic Piedmontese festival steeped in history, faith and conviviality.