Feast of Saints Patrons Faustino and Giovita
Brescia's patronal feast, between faith, fair and culture
About Saint Faustino and Giovita
The Patrons of the Steel City of Italy
Every February 15th, Brescia celebrates its patron saints, Faustino and Giovita, martyrs of the city. It is the main patronal feast of the Lombard capital, nicknamed the "Steel City of Italy", and represents the most identity-forming moment of the year for the Brescian community, capable of intertwining religious, civil, and popular dimensions.
The Great Patronal Fair
The popular heart of the feast is the fair, which enlivens the streets of the historic center with hundreds of stalls. Exhibitors from all over Italy and from various countries offer crafts, gastronomy, toys, household goods, and clothing, transforming the most central squares into a large market. It is an ancient tradition, which attracts crowds of visitors to Brescia every year.
The Red Galero and the Religious Dimension
The spiritual component revolves around the Red Galero Ceremony, which moves from the Basilica of the Saints to Palazzo Loggia, and the liturgical celebrations in honor of the two patrons. A rich cultural calendar develops around these rites: exhibitions, concerts, conferences, staged readings, lectio magistralis, guided tours, and routes in the center tracing the saints' footsteps.
Open Museums and City in Celebration
On the occasion of February 15th, free admission to the civic museums of Brescia, from the Santa Giulia Museum to the UNESCO World Heritage Capitolium sites, is a tradition. The Feast of Saint Faustino is thus an opportunity to rediscover the rich historical and artistic heritage of the city, on a day that unites faith, commerce, and culture in the name of Brescian identity.
Saint Faustino and Giovita — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Brescia's patronal feast, dedicated to Saints Faustino and Giovita, has the theme "Together: Wonders!" and culminates on Sunday, February 15th. The grand patronal fair enlivens the streets of the historic center from 8 AM to 10 PM, with about 600 exhibitors from all over Italy and abroad.
The religious and cultural dimension accompanies the popular one, with the Red Galero Ceremony, exhibitions, concerts, conferences, and free admission to the civic museums on the patron's day.
Programme Saint Faustino and Giovita 2026
Sunday, February 8th
- Red Galero Ceremony, from the Basilica of the Saints to Palazzo Loggia
During the Feast Days
- Exhibitions, concerts, conferences, staged readings, lectio magistralis
- Guided tours and routes in the historic center tracing the saints' footsteps
- Activities for children
Sunday, February 15th — Patronal Feast
- Feast of Saints Faustino and Giovita in the streets of the center, from 8 AM to 10 PM, with about 600 exhibitors (crafts, gastronomy, toys, household goods, clothing)
- Free admission to civic museums for residents and non-residents
Highlights Saint Faustino and Giovita 2026
The fair with 600 exhibitors, the Red Galero Ceremony, and free civic museums on February 15th.
Prices Saint Faustino and Giovita 2026
Practical information — Saint Faustino and Giovita
Where
Historic center of Brescia. Fair in the central streets; Red Galero Ceremony from the Basilica of the Saints to Palazzo Loggia.
When
February 15th (patronal feast), with events in the preceding days. Fair from approximately 8 AM to 10 PM.
Museums
On February 15th, free admission to civic museums for residents and non-residents.
How to get there
Brescia is on the high-speed Milan-Venice line and on the A4 motorway. The city metro connects the station to the historic center, which is particularly useful during fair days.
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Where does it take place — Saint Faustino and Giovita
Centro storico di Brescia