Aosta’s event calendar revolves around three pillars: the thousand-year-old Sant’Orso craft fair that fills the entire city each January, traditional Alpine agricultural festivals rooted in the valley’s farming culture, and a growing programme of summer music and food events. The Aosta Valley’s bilingual French-Italian identity also shapes its celebrations, with many festivals carrying both Italian and French names. Here is the full annual calendar with dates, locations, and what to expect at each event.
Aosta Events and Festivals in January
Sant’Orso Millennial Fair (Fiera di Sant’Orso / Foire de Saint-Ours)
January 30-31, throughout the historic centre. This is the biggest event on Aosta’s calendar and one of the oldest craft fairs in Europe, dating back to 1000 AD. Over 1,000 artisans from across the Alps display woodcarving, wrought iron, stone sculpture, textiles, lace, and leatherwork in stalls that fill every street and square of the old town. The fair also features traditional food stands selling fontina cheese, mocetta (air-dried beef), polenta, and vin brulé (mulled wine). An estimated 100,000+ visitors attend over the two days. The Veillà (eve) on the night of January 29 sees the streets open until midnight with music and food. Book accommodation by October; hotels in the centre fill completely and rates double. Dress for January weather: daytime highs average 4°C (39°F) and snow is common. The fair is free to attend.
Aosta Events and Festivals in February to March
Aosta Valley Carnival (Carnevale della Coumba Freida / Carnaval de la Combe Froide)
Date varies (typically February, the weekend before Ash Wednesday), held in Aosta and villages throughout the upper valley. This is one of the Alps’ most distinctive carnival traditions. Participants wear hand-carved wooden masks and elaborate costumes representing historical figures: the “landzette” in mirrored costumes and horsehair wigs represent Napoleon’s French soldiers, while the “toc” and “tocca” wear bear-like outfits. Parades process through the centre on Saturday afternoon and Sunday, with a smaller children’s parade on the preceding Friday. The Aosta city parade runs along Via Sant’Anselmo to Piazza Chanoux. Free to watch. Local restaurants serve carnival pastries: bugne (fried dough balls) and flantse (apple fritters).
Bataille de Reines (Battle of the Queens)
March through October, various villages across the Aosta Valley. This is a series of traditional cow-fighting tournaments where Valdostane breed cows compete for herd dominance in a fenced ring. No bloodshed: the cows lock horns and push until one backs down. It is a major social event drawing hundreds to each local round, with the regional final held at the Croix-Noire arena in Aosta on the third Sunday of October. Entry to the final costs EUR10-15; local rounds are typically EUR5 or free. Dates and locations are posted on lovevda.it each spring. The final is a full-day event with food stands, live music, and trophy presentations.
Aosta Events and Festivals in June to August
Celtica Festival
First weekend of July, at Peuterey (a frazione just south of Aosta, 5 minutes by car or 30 minutes walking along the Dora Baltea river path). This four-day Celtic music and culture festival draws 10,000+ attendees with concerts by international Celtic, folk, and pagan metal bands on three stages. The festival also runs workshops on Celtic crafts, archery, and dance, plus a mead and craft beer garden. A four-day pass costs EUR60-80 (early booking discount); single-day tickets EUR20-25. Camping is available on-site for EUR10 per night. The festival is family-friendly during the day with dedicated children’s activities; evening concerts run until 02:00.
Aosta Classica
Mid-July through early August, various venues across Aosta. A chamber music festival held in the cathedral, Sant’Orso church, and Roman Theatre, featuring international soloists and ensembles. Programmes lean toward Baroque and Classical repertoire, with the Roman Theatre as the atmospheric headline venue. Individual concert tickets EUR15-25; festival passes available. The 2025 edition ran from July 15 to August 5. Check aostaclassica.it for the current year’s programme.
Aosta Events and Festivals in September to October
Marché au Fort (Market at the Fort)
Second or third weekend of October (dates confirmed by August each year), at Forte di Bard, a 19th-century Habsburg fort located 40 km east of Aosta (25 minutes by train to Bard station, then a steep 15-minute walk uphill). This is the Aosta Valley’s premier food and wine festival, with over 50 local producers set up inside the fort’s stone galleries. You buy a tasting kit (EUR25-35 depending on year) that includes a glass and a set number of tasting tickets. Producers offer fontina DOP at various ageing stages, mocetta, lardo d’Arnad, chestnut honey, génépy liqueur, and wines from the valley’s DOC appellations: Blanc de Morgex et de La Salle, Torrette, Enfer d’Arvier, and Chambave. Shuttle buses run from Aosta train station to Bard during the event. Busy by 11:00; arrive at opening (10:00) for the best selection.
Aosta Events and Festivals in December
Aosta Christmas Market (Marché Vert de Noël)
Late November through December 24 (until early January some years), Piazza Chanoux and surrounding streets. Aosta’s Christmas market spreads wooden chalets across the main square selling Alpine crafts, Christmas decorations, and food specialities. The ice skating rink in Piazza della Repubblica (EUR5 including skate rental) runs from early December through mid-January. The market is smaller and less commercial than the large northern European markets, with a stronger emphasis on local products. Mulled wine (vin brulé) costs EUR3-4, roasted chestnuts EUR3 per cone. The market is open daily 10:00-20:00 (until 22:00 on Fridays and Saturdays).
