Feast of San Girio
The feast of the co-patron saint of Potenza Picena between devotion, music, and tradition
About San Girio
San Girio, the co-patron saint of Potenza Picena
The Feast of San Girio is one of the most heartfelt events in the calendar of Potenza Picena, a hilltop town in the province of Macerata, in the Marche region. The celebrated figure is the city's co-patron saint: according to tradition, San Girio (or Gerio) was a French nobleman from Languedoc, born around 1270, who renounced earthly possessions and the title of count to lead a hermit's life. He died near ancient Monte Santo, modern-day Potenza Picena, while on his way to Jerusalem, and since then the community has venerated him as its protector.
The legend of the oxen
One of the most famous legends linked to the Saint tells of the dispute between Recanati and Monte Santo for the relics of San Girio. The dispute, according to popular tradition, was resolved by entrusting the choice of location to two oxen left to wander freely: the animals stopped where the Sanctuary of San Girio stands today, nestled in the countryside around the city, the destination of the pilgrimage and the spiritual heart of the feast.
The religious part
The culmination of devotion is the pilgrimage to the Sanctuary with the procession of the Saint's relics and the offering of candles by the municipal administration and the population, accompanied by the town band. The Eucharistic celebration and sacred rites have marked this tradition for centuries, traditionally linked to May 25th.
The civil part: music, sport, and gastronomy
Alongside devotion, the feast offers four days of entertainment in the historic center. The evenings alternate live concerts, dancing evenings with orchestras, dance performances, and freestyle battles in the San Girio Dance Night, as well as comedy and shows for families. The food stalls offer polenta and specialties of the Picena tradition, as well as fish dishes from the nearby Adriatic coast.
Cycling races and the fireworks finale
A historic component of the feast is sport: the final day hosts the Trofeo San Girio, an interregional cycling race now in its fortieth edition, preceded by a walk and youth races. The feast concludes with the grand fireworks show that illuminates the sky of Potenza Picena, greeted by thousands of people.
The Feast of San Girio remains a symbol of Potenza Picena's identity: an intertwining of faith, historical memory, and conviviality that brings together residents and visitors from the Marche region every year.
San Girio — edition 2026
Feast of San Girio 2026
The 2026 edition animated the center of Potenza Picena from May 28 to 31. It opened on Thursday the 28th with the San Girio Dance Night, featuring dance performances and freestyle battles, and a sandwich service. On Friday the 29th, the main evening featured stalls with traditional polenta and specialties, and from 9 PM, the concert by Jo Squillo with the band 90 Special, performing great dance and pop hits from the nineties. Saturday the 30th offered fish dishes, a performance by Lucky Fit&Dance, and dancing with the Andrea Bonifazi Special Band, broadcast for the show La nostra gente. Sunday the 31st was the grand finale: the 5th Avis Walking Tour, a youth cycling race, and the 49th Trofeo San Girio interregional race, lunch in the square, and in the evening, the Sun Beat Air orchestra, comedy by Alberto Caiazza, and the concluding fireworks show.
Programme San Girio 2026
2026 Program
- Thursday, May 28 - 7 PM sandwich stand; 8 PM San Girio Dance Night (dance and freestyle battle)
- Friday, May 29 - 7 PM food stalls with polenta and specialties; 9 PM concert by Jo Squillo with 90 Special; drink & cocktail bar
- Saturday, May 30 - 7 PM first and second courses of fish; 8 PM Lucky Fit&Dance; 9:30 PM Andrea Bonifazi Special Band
- Sunday, May 31 - morning 5th Avis Walking Tour and Esordienti cycling race; afternoon 49th Trofeo San Girio (interregional race); evening dinner in the square, Sun Beat Air orchestra, comedian Alberto Caiazza; 11 PM fireworks show
Highlights San Girio 2026
- Concert by Jo Squillo with 90 Special (Friday, May 29)
- 49th Trofeo San Girio, interregional cycling race
- Final fireworks show by the Santa Chiara company
- Dancing evenings with orchestras and food stalls with polenta
Prices San Girio 2026
Practical information — San Girio
How to get there
Potenza Picena is located in the Marche region, in the province of Macerata, a few kilometers from the Adriatic coast. By car: take the Porto Recanati or Civitanova Marche exit from the A14 motorway, then provincial roads towards the hilltop town. By train: Porto Recanati or Civitanova Marche stations, connected by bus to the town. Nearest airport: Ancona-Falconara.
When
The feast is traditionally held in the last week of May, over four days (Thursday to Sunday).
Admission and services
Access to events in the square and food stalls is free. During the pilgrimage, a shuttle service to the Sanctuary is usually provided. It is advisable to consult the official channels of the Municipality and the festival's social media page for the updated program.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — San Girio
Centro storico e Santuario di San Girio