Val Gardena costume festival showcases Ladin heritage in Dolomites

On 2 August, Val Gardena in Costume transforms the valley in the Dolomites into an open‑air stage where hundreds of participants wear traditional Ladin costumes. The parade is accompanied by local folk groups, musical bands and associations that animate the streets with music, dance and communal gatherings.

The event highlights Ladin language, historic crafts and social customs, such as specific headwear indicating marital status. It also includes concerts, culinary stalls and other cultural programmes that attract residents and tourists, reinforcing the valley’s identity and promoting its alpine heritage.