Gran Festa da d’Istà
In Canazei, three days with typical dishes and folk music, culminating in the parade on Sunday afternoon of a thousand Ladins in their traditional costumes
The great festival that marks the end of summer. From 12 to 14 September, Canazei welcomes Ladins from Val di Fassa and the valleys around the Sella for three days of traditional cuisine, entertainment, and folk music. The highlight of the "Gran Festa da d’Istà" is the spectacular Sunday afternoon parade: at 3 p.m., about a thousand participants, including brass bands and folk groups, march through the town centre, greeted by the applause of the crowd. Some walk on foot, while others ride festively decorated carriages and floats, proudly displaying their splendid traditional costumes. At the end of the procession, in the open meadows of "Pian de Parèda", beside the marquee, the bands perform in unison, followed by folk groups showcasing their lively, rhythmic dances. Inside the marquee, renowned Tyrolean bands take turns on stage, keeping the crowd singing and dancing late into the night. And for food lovers, there are plenty of opportunities to sample local specialities and sweet treats, including "sones" (apple fritters) and "fortaes" (strauben), freshly prepared throughout the event.
The programme for the 2025 edition will be available online from August. Here’s what you missed last year!
Gran Festa da d'Istà 2024 - Friday 6 September
- 19:00 - opening of the marquee, typical cuisine and entertainment with DJ Dany
- 20:00 - music and entertainment with the "Thierseer Partyband"
- 24:00 - entertainment with DJ Dany
- 01:00 - closing of the marquee
Gran Festa da d'Istà 2024 - Saturday 7 September
- 11:00 - opening of the marquee and entertainment with DJ Dany
- 12:00 - opening of typical cuisine
- 19:00 - re-opening of the marquee, typical cuisine and entertainment with DJ Dany
- 20:00 - music and entertainment with the "Murztaler" group
- 24:00 - entertainment with DJ Dany
- 01:00 - closing of the marquee
Gran Festa da d'Istà 2024 - Sunday, 8 September
- 10:00 - Holy Mass on the meadow in front of the marquee
- 11:00 - opening of the marquee, typical cuisine
- 11:30 - aperitif with the "Alpenland Power" group
- 15:00 - start of the parade in "Strèda Roma" street
- 17:00 - musical afternoon with the "Alpenland Power" group
- 19:00 - typical dinner, music and entertainment with the "Die Kaiserwalder" group
- 23:00 - closing of the marquee
In conjunction with Sunday's parade, all the main access roads to the village and some minor roads will be closed to traffic from 2 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. During the above hours, transit through Canazei, to and from the Sella, Pordoi and Fedaia passes is prohibited. The "Gran Festa da d'Istà" is organised by the Croce Bianca and the Canazei Fire Brigade, two associations that are fundamental to the life of the local community and that on this occasion field around 250 volunteers.
