Feast of Saint Raphael the Archangel

The feast of the co-patron saint of Cellamare

In Cellamare, a village of just over five thousand inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia, the Feast of Saint Raphael the Archangel is much more than a religious anniversary: it is a moment when the entire community comes together. Saint Raphael, the healing archangel, is venerated as the co-patron of the town alongside Saint Amatore, and the festivities in his honor are traditionally held between the last weekend of September and the first days of October.

Faith and tradition

The spiritual heart of the feast is the solemn Eucharistic celebration in the Mother Church, preceded in the days leading up to it by the novena and evening Holy Masses in honor of the Archangel. The most anticipated moment is the procession: the image of Saint Raphael is carried on shoulders through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by the band, the faithful, and the illuminations that light up the town. The veneration of the Saint's relics completes the religious program.

Food festival, fair, and music

The devotional dimension is joined by the popular one, organized by the Patronal Feast Committee and local associations. The Saint Raphael Food Festival enlivens the evening with tastings of typical Apulian gastronomic products, while the Saint Raphael Fair fills the streets with craft stalls, street vendors, and attractions for children, from inflatables to the funfair. There is no shortage of concerts in the square, with bands and musical groups ranging from singer-songwriter rock to Apulian folk music.

The flight of the hot air balloon

Closing the festivities is one of the rituals most loved by the people of Cellamare: the traditional hot air balloon launch, which on the final evening rises above the rooftops of the town, greeted by the applause of the crowd. It is the iconic image of a feast that combines spirituality, tradition, and joy, and which every year attracts visitors from neighboring towns to Cellamare.

2026 Edition

The dates for the 2026 edition have not yet been officially announced. However, the Municipality of Cellamare has already confirmed that the event will take place: in the spring of 2026, the public notice and the ranking for the concession of stalls for the Saint Raphael the Archangel Fair for the current year were approved, a sign that the town is preparing to renew its appointment with its co-patron saint again this year.