In Tolve, ‘San Rocco’ is celebrated twice a year, on 16th August and on 16th September.

The first date calls off the pilgrims called ‘della marina’, coming from the flat areas, where harvest is gathered earlier in the year. The second date is for the pilgrims ‘della montagna’, coming from the uplands, where harvest is gathered after the middle of August.

During these two celebrating days, at noon a typical procession takes place through the streets of the village for about three hours. The statue of San Rocco is shouldered by the believers in a solemn parade headed by the ‘Confratelli del Purgatorio’, wearing a white gown and a red cape. Then the pilgrims come, bare feet, bearing their candles, which change according to the prayer group they belong to. These candles are supported by wooden bases representing churches, bell towers and other religious structures. After the procession, the candles are left as a gift to the Sanctuary of San Rocco, where they will be lightened during the year, thus representing the flame of faith.

The actual crowd of pilgrims, some of them bare feet, follows the statue.