Celebrations in Honor of the Holy Martyrs (S.M. Summer Fest)

Celano's Patronal Feast

The Celebrations in Honor of the Holy Martyrs, now accompanied by the S.M. Summer Fest music series, are the most anticipated event of the summer in Celano, located in the heart of the Marsica region, in the province of L'Aquila (Abruzzo). Every year, from August 24th to 26th, the town celebrates its patron saints with a festival that weaves together faith, community identity, and great live music.

The Holy Martyrs Simplicius, Constantius, and Victorianus

Celano's devotion is directed toward the Holy Martyrs Simplicius, Constantius, and Victorianus, three Burgundian nobles who, according to tradition, left their homelands to spread Christianity, eventually facing martyrdom for their faith. Their relics are kept under the high altar of the Church of San Giovanni Battista, a destination for pilgrimage and prayer for the community. The solemn liturgical feast, featuring processions and religious rites, remains the core identity of the three-day celebration.

Emigrants' Day

A particularly poignant moment is Emigrants' Day, traditionally held on August 25th: an occasion that brings back to Celano the many fellow citizens who have emigrated within Italy and abroad, returning each year to reconnect with their roots and experience the patronal feast together. It is one of the most distinctive features of the event, transforming the festival days into a grand reunion of families and the community.

Music and Entertainment in Piazza IV Novembre

Alongside religious rites, the festival offers free evening entertainment in Piazza IV Novembre, the beating heart of Celano's town center. Over the years, the stage has hosted popular music artists, bands, orchestras, and well-known names from the Italian scene, creating a lineup designed for an intergenerational audience. Admission to the shows is free, and the square fills with residents, returning emigrants, and visitors from across the Marsica region.

A Tradition Safeguarded by the Community

The festival is organized by the confraternities of Celano together with the festival committee and under the patronage of the Municipality of Celano. It is a deeply popular event, supported by the participation of citizens and local businesses, which ensure its continuity every year. The S.M. Summer Fest has brought new visibility to the event, attracting major productions while keeping the bond with the devotion to the Holy Martyrs intact.

Why Attend

• The solemn religious celebrations in honor of Celano's patron saints
• The evocative Emigrants' Day, a symbol of the bond between the city and its distant sons
• Free evening concerts in Piazza IV Novembre
• The authentic atmosphere of a Marsica patronal feast, blending tradition and conviviality