Feast of San Catello (Patron Saint of Castellammare di Stabia)
The solemnity of the patron saint amidst faith, tradition, and fireworks over the gulf
About Feast of San Catello
The Patron Saint of Castellammare di Stabia
San Catello, bishop of ancient Stabiae, is the patron saint of Castellammare di Stabia and the entire Archdiocese of Sorrento-Castellammare. His figure, linked to the city's Christian origins, is at the heart of a centuries-old devotion that gathers the entire community every year around the Co-Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and San Catello, the religious heart of the historic center overlooking the Gulf of Naples.
A dual celebration: January and May
The unique feature of this festival is its dual recurrence. The liturgical solemnity of the patron saint is celebrated in January, with an intense novena preparing the city for the feast on the 19th, the day dedicated to the saint. This is joined in early May by the feast of the Patronage of San Catello, which renews the devotion with a second solemn procession and traditional civil festivities. Two distinct moments, yet united by the same profound popular sentiment.
The procession and fireworks over the gulf
The most anticipated moment is the procession of the saint's statue, which departs from the Co-Cathedral and winds through the streets and squares of the historic center — via Sarnelli, Piazza Principe Umberto, via Roma, Corso Vittorio Emanuele — accompanied by civil and military authorities and the Archbishop. During the May festivities, the city gathers on the waterfront in the evening for the fireworks display at sea, whose reflections illuminate the entire coast of the Gulf of Naples, in one of the most evocative settings of the local tradition.
White Night, markets, and flavors
A rich calendar of popular events grows around the religious rites. In January, the White Night (Notte Bianca) enlivens the historic center with street performers, acrobatic shows, and shops open late into the evening, while the Villa Comunale hosts Campagna Amica Coldiretti and Slow Food markets featuring local zero-kilometer products. In May, stalls return to crowd the Villa Comunale with food stands, crafts, and local specialties, amidst the illuminations decorating the main squares.
An identity-defining event for the city
Organized by the Municipality of Castellammare di Stabia together with the Archdiocese, the Feast of San Catello is much more than a religious recurrence: it is the most authentic expression of the identity of this city in Campania, in the province of Naples. Faith, tradition, music, and conviviality intertwine in an event that renews the deep bond between the locals and their patron saint every year.
Feast of San Catello — edition 2026
The January 2026 solemnity
The festivities opened on Friday, January 9, at 7:30 PM with a concert by the orchestra and choir of the "F. Severi" High School in honor of the patron saint. From Saturday, January 10, the novena began in the Co-Cathedral, with the enthronement of the statue and the solemn mass presided over by Archbishop Francesco Alfano. The weekend of January 17-18 brought the Campagna Amica Coldiretti and Slow Food markets to the Villa Comunale and, on the evening of the 18th, the White Night in the historic center with street performers, acrobatic shows, and a free comedy show by Simone Schettino, a true local. On Monday, January 19, the patron saint's day, the procession crossed the historic center with the traditional stop at the Fincantieri shipyard.
The May Patronage
The second celebration took place from May 2 to 10, 2026: enthronement of the statue on May 2, novena, and, on Sunday, May 10, the solemn procession at 6:30 PM from the Co-Cathedral, followed in the evening by the fireworks display at sea visible along the entire coast. Stalls enlivened the Villa Comunale from May 8 to 10.
Programme Feast of San Catello 2026
January 2026
- Fri 9/1, 7:30 PM — Opening concert by the orchestra and choir of the "F. Severi" High School
- Sat 10/1 — Enthronement of the statue (5:00 PM), rosary and novena (5:45 PM), solemn mass with Archbishop Francesco Alfano (6:30 PM)
- 10-18/1 — Daily novena in the Co-Cathedral
- Sat 17/1, 8:30 AM — Campagna Amica Coldiretti market in Villa Comunale
- Sun 18/1 — Slow Food market (8:30 AM); White Night in the historic center (from 6:30 PM) with street performers and acrobatic show; free comedy show by Simone Schettino in Villa Comunale (8:30 PM)
- Mon 19/1 — Solemnity of the patron saint: masses (8:00, 9:00, 10:30, 12:00, 6:30 PM); solemn procession (10:00 AM) with a stop at the Fincantieri shipyard and civil/military authorities
Patronage - May 2026
- Sat 2/5, 5:00 PM — Enthronement of the statue
- 2-9/5 — Daily rosary and masses; Supplication to the Madonna of Pompei (Fri 8/5, 12:00 PM)
- Sun 10/5 — Masses (8:30, 10:30, 12:00); solemn procession (6:30 PM) with Archbishop Francesco Alfano; fireworks display at sea in the evening
- 8-10/5 — Stalls and food stands in Villa Comunale
Highlights Feast of San Catello 2026
- Dual solemn procession of the patron saint (January 19 and May 10)
- Fireworks display at sea on the Gulf of Naples
- White Night in the historic center with a free show by Simone Schettino
- Campagna Amica Coldiretti and Slow Food markets in Villa Comunale
- Opening concert by the "F. Severi" High School
Prices Feast of San Catello 2026
Practical information — Feast of San Catello
How to get there
Castellammare di Stabia can be reached by train via the Circumvesuviana Naples-Sorrento line (stops at Castellammare di Stabia and Via Nocera) or via the Campania Express. By car, take the Castellammare di Stabia exit on the A3 Naples-Salerno motorway. The Co-Cathedral and the historic center are located a short distance from the waterfront and the Villa Comunale.
Admission and tips
All religious and popular events have free admission. During the procession and the fireworks display, some streets in the center may be closed to traffic: it is recommended to reach the center on foot or by public transport. For updated schedules of the celebrations, please refer to the channels of the Archdiocese of Sorrento-Castellammare di Stabia and the Municipality.
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Where does it take place — Feast of San Catello
Concattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta e San Catello