Feast of Maria SS. del Carmine
Twelve days of devotion, brass bands, and folk music in the village of San Biagio
About Carmine San Biagio di Serino
A devotion that defines the Irpinian summer
The Feast of Maria SS. del Carmine is the most heartfelt moment of the year for San Biagio, a populous district in the Municipality of Serino, in the province of Avellino, in the green heart of Campania. Here, on the slopes of Mount Terminio and along the Sabato valley, the devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary of Mount Carmel is passed down from generation to generation, culminating on the fixed date of July 16th, the liturgical solemnity of Carmel.
The calendar is organized by two groups working side-by-side: the SS. Annunziata and SS. Corpo di Cristo Parish, led by parish priest Father Calogero Saia, for the religious side, and the Maria SS. del Carmine Festival Committee, chaired by Donato Di Zenzo, deputy mayor of Serino, for the civil program. The result is a festival lasting nearly two weeks that combines spiritual reflection with the joy of the town square.
The novena and the display of the statue
The journey of preparation begins with the display of the statue of the Virgin of Carmel in the church. From that moment, every evening until the eve of the solemnity, the community gathers for the recitation of the rosary, sung litanies, and Holy Mass: nine days of novena that fill the parish with faithful, many of whom return to San Biagio specifically for this occasion from across Italy and abroad.
July 16th, the day of the solemnity
The highlight day begins early with the City of Serino Brass Band touring the streets of the district, waking up the town with marches: a ritual that no one in San Biagio misses. The solemn service is then celebrated in the church, presided over in recent years by the Bishop of Avellino, Monsignor Arturo Aiello, accompanied by the Laeti Cantores choir directed by maestro Roberto Maggio.
In the evening, the statue of the Madonna del Carmine is carried in procession through the streets of the parish, escorted by the brass band and awaited at every corner by flowers, illuminations, and applause. Upon its return, the celebration continues with a brass band concert and the pyromusical show that closes the day: fireworks and music synchronized above the rooftops of the district.
Evenings in Piazza Chiesa
The civil program is concentrated in the final evenings and has its natural stage in Piazza Chiesa. It ranges from folk music orchestras to evenings dedicated to the tarantella—the typical version from the Serino area, with tammorre drums, accordions, and dances involving all ages—to family shows and concerts by guest performers. The grand finale traditionally moves to the Forcellata area, where a large open space hosts the closing concert.
Why it's worth attending
- An authentic patronal feast, not overly touristy and deeply supported by the local community.
- The close relationship between the brass band, the procession, and the town square, a hallmark of Irpinian festivals.
- The Serino tarantella, a living testament to Campanian folklore.
- The natural setting of Mount Terminio and the springs of the Sabato river, just a few kilometers from Avellino.
- Free admission to all religious and civil events.
Serino, between water and chestnuts
Serino is known throughout Campania for its springs, which have fed the Naples aqueduct for over a century, and for the Serino PGI Chestnut, the star of a very popular festival in autumn. Those who arrive in July for the Carmine Festival will find a cool, green territory perfect for hiking on Mount Terminio, as well as generous mountain cuisine featuring mushrooms, cheeses, and traditional Irpinian dishes.
Carmine San Biagio di Serino — edition 2026
Twelve days of celebration in San Biagio
From July 7th to 18th, 2026, the San Biagio district of Serino, in the province of Avellino, experienced its longest edition of the Feast of Maria SS. del Carmine. The program, built together by the SS. Annunziata and SS. Corpo di Cristo Parish — led by parish priest Father Calogero Saia — and the 2026 Maria SS. del Carmine Festival Committee, chaired by Serino's deputy mayor Donato Di Zenzo, alternated between the novena and evenings in the square.
The religious part
On July 7th, the display of the statue of the Virgin of Carmel opened the preparation journey: every evening, until July 15th, featured the rosary, sung litanies, and Holy Mass. On Thursday, July 16th, the day of the solemnity, the City of Serino Brass Band toured the streets of the district; the solemn service was presided over by the Bishop of Avellino, Monsignor Arturo Aiello, accompanied by the Laeti Cantores choir directed by maestro Roberto Maggio. In the evening, the statue was carried in procession through the streets of the parish, escorted by the brass band, followed by a concert by the City of Serino Brass Band and the pyromusical show by Salvati Fireworks.
Evenings in the square
The civil program was concentrated in the final five evenings, from July 13th to 18th, in Piazza Chiesa: opening on July 13th with the Achille Orchestra and an evening dedicated to the local tarantella. The grand finale, on Saturday, July 18th, moved to the Forcellata area with a concert by Andrea Sannino, one of the most beloved names in contemporary Neapolitan music.
Programme Carmine San Biagio di Serino 2026
Religious part
- July 7 — Display of the statue of Maria SS. del Carmine in the parish church; start of the novena.
- July 8-15 — Every evening: recitation of the rosary, sung litanies, and Holy Mass.
- Thursday, July 16 (solemnity) — Tour of the district streets by the City of Serino Brass Band; solemn service presided over by the Bishop of Avellino, Monsignor Arturo Aiello, with the Laeti Cantores choir directed by maestro Roberto Maggio; evening procession of the statue through the parish streets with the brass band, City of Serino Brass Band concert, and pyromusical show by Salvati Fireworks.
Civil program — Piazza Chiesa
- Monday, July 13 — Achille Orchestra and evening dedicated to the local tarantella.
- July 14-17 — Evenings of music and entertainment in Piazza Chiesa organized by the Committee.
- Saturday, July 18 — Grand finale in the Forcellata area with a concert by Andrea Sannino.
Highlights Carmine San Biagio di Serino 2026
- Procession on July 16 with the statue of Maria SS. del Carmine and the City of Serino Brass Band.
- Solemn service presided over by the Bishop of Avellino, Monsignor Arturo Aiello, with the Laeti Cantores choir.
- Pyromusical show by Salvati Fireworks.
- Tarantella evening on July 13 with the Achille Orchestra.
- Concert by Andrea Sannino on July 18 in the Forcellata area, the grand finale of the festival.
Prices Carmine San Biagio di Serino 2026
Practical information — Carmine San Biagio di Serino
Location
District of San Biagio di Serino (83028), province of Avellino. Religious celebrations are held in the SS. Annunziata and SS. Corpo di Cristo parish church; civil evenings in Piazza Chiesa and, for the final concert, in the Forcellata area.
Getting there
- By car: Take the Avellino Est exit on the A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, then follow the SS 574 of Mount Terminio towards Serino (approx. 12 km from Avellino).
- By train: Avellino station, then take the AIR Campania bus lines to Serino.
- By plane: Naples-Capodichino airport, approximately 60 km away.
Costs and tips
- Free admission to all events.
- Evening events in the square start after dinner: it is advisable to arrive early to park, as the district streets are narrow.
- Even in July, evenings in Serino can be cool: bring a light sweater.
- For accommodation, the widest range of options is in Avellino or in the agritourisms of the Terminio area.
Information
Updates and a detailed program are available on the Facebook page of the Maria SS. del Carmine Festival Committee and at the parish.
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Where does it take place — Carmine San Biagio di Serino
Parrocchia SS. Annunziata e SS. Corpo di Cristo, Piazza Chiesa e località Forcellata
Piazza Chiesa, frazione San Biagio, 83028 Serino