Celebrations in Honor of Maria SS. Annunziata (with Clam Festival)

A patronal feast on the Adriatic Sea

The Celebrations in honor of Maria SS. Annunziata are one of the most cherished summer events in Giulianova, a seaside town in the province of Teramo, in Abruzzo. The festival takes place in the Annunziata district, in Giulianova Lido, around the Sanctuary of Santa Maria a Mare on Via Simoncini, the heart of a centuries-old Marian cult rooted in the local seafaring community.

Devotion and popular tradition

The event combines religious and popular dimensions. The highlight is the procession of the statue of the Madonna through the streets of the district, starting from the sanctuary to reach the churchyard where the Bishop of the Diocese of Teramo-Atri presides over the solemn Holy Mass. In the preceding days, the novena, liturgical celebrations, and moments of prayer accompany the community toward the feast.

The Clam Festival

The secular and convivial side of the celebrations is the Clam Festival, which has reached many editions and has become a classic of Abruzzo's summer gastronomy. Under the stands set up on Via Simoncini, just a stone's throw from the sea, you can taste typical dishes of Giulianova's seafood cuisine: spaghetti with clams, sautéed mussels and clams, seafood pasta, seafood risotto, fried fish, and fish stew. Service is available for lunch and dinner, with takeaway options, and is held even in case of rain thanks to covered structures.

Music, games, and fireworks

The festival program includes musical evenings with concerts in the square, games for children, a charity lottery, a charity fishing event, and cultural initiatives such as the sacred art competition of the 'madonnari' of the Annunziata and the continuous reading of the Bible. The grand finale is provided by the famous fireworks over the sea, a pyrotechnic show that illuminates the coast and brings residents and tourists together on the promenade.

An identity-defining event for Giulianova

Organized by the Parrocchia dell'Annunziata with the support of the Municipality of Giulianova, the festival represents a moment of strong identity for the district and the entire city. For visitors, it is the ideal opportunity to discover the seafaring soul of this pearl of the Teramo coast, amidst faith, tradition, and the flavors of the Adriatic Sea.