Feasts of the Holy Face and Saint Pancras the Martyr
Manoppello celebrates the Sacred Veil and its patron saint with faith, tradition, and free concerts
About Feasts of the Holy Face
The May Feasts in Manoppello
The Feasts of the Holy Face and Saint Pancras the Martyr are the most cherished events in Manoppello, a village in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo. Every year, around the third Sunday of May, the town unites in its dual devotion: the Holy Face, the famous byssus veil bearing an acheiropoieton image of Christ's face, kept in the Basilica of the Holy Face (of the Capuchins), and Saint Pancras the Martyr, the city's patron saint.
Faith and Tradition
The religious heart of the festival is the procession of the Sacred Veil, which on the main day, Sunday, moves from the Basilica of the Holy Face to the church of San Nicola di Bari, accompanied by the town band and thousands of faithful. The relic remains exposed for veneration throughout the day, amidst vigils, solemn masses, and moments of prayer, before the processional return to the Basilica. Manoppello is also a destination for the Cammino del Volto Santo, the pilgrimage route connecting Rome to the Abruzzese sanctuary: during these days, pilgrims arrive in the village, welcomed with re-enactments and festive moments.
Free Concerts and Shows
Alongside the sacred dimension, the Feasts offer a popular secular program featuring free concerts by national artists in Piazza Garibaldi, theatrical performances, operatic-symphonic galas, DJ sets along Corso Santarelli, and the traditional itinerant band concert. Over the years, well-known names in Italian music have performed, attracting audiences from across the Pescara and Chieti hinterland.
An Entire Village in Celebration
For four days, Manoppello transforms: the streets of the center fill with people, the Municipality provides free shuttles to the Basilica and alternative routes, while bars, restaurants, and stalls enliven the evenings. An event that combines the deep spirituality linked to the Holy Face with the community's joy of being together, ranking among the most representative events in the Abruzzo festive calendar.
Feasts of the Holy Face — edition 2026
The 2026 Feasts of the Holy Face and Saint Pancras the Martyr in Manoppello opened on Friday, May 15, and concluded between May 18 and 19, with four evenings of free shows and concerts in Piazza Garibaldi and along Corso Santarelli. The central day of Sunday, May 17, was dedicated to the procession of the Sacred Veil from the Basilica of the Holy Face, while on Monday, May 18, the solemn mass was presided over by Monsignor Bruno Forte, Archbishop of Chieti-Vasto.
Programme Feasts of the Holy Face 2026
Friday, May 15
- 21:30 — Piazza Garibaldi: I Temerari in the theatrical show "Nonno Quintino"
- 23:00 — Corso Santarelli: Altafrequenza in concert
Saturday, May 16
- Itinerant concert by the town band and official opening of the festival
- 16:30 — Arrival of pilgrims from Porta Fara with theatrical re-enactment; inauguration of the murals on Corso Santarelli
- 22:00 — Piazza Garibaldi: concert by Setak, Abruzzese singer-songwriter
- Followed by, Corso Santarelli: DJ set by Luca Nubile
Sunday, May 17
- Solemn Mass and procession of the Sacred Veil from the Basilica of the Holy Face to the church of San Nicola di Bari, with the relic exposed for the entire day
- Piazza Garibaldi: Grand Operatic-Symphonic Gala "Città di San Giorgio a Liri" with show orchestra
- Followed by DJ set with Elle_dj on Corso Santarelli
Monday, May 18
- Processional return of the Sacred Veil to the Basilica
- Mass presided over by Monsignor Bruno Forte
- Piazza San Francesco: concert by I Patagarri (gipsy jazz, swing, and blues)
Highlights Feasts of the Holy Face 2026
Prices Feasts of the Holy Face 2026
Practical information — Feasts of the Holy Face
Where
Manoppello (PE), Abruzzo. The shows are mainly held in Piazza Garibaldi, along Corso Santarelli, and in Piazza San Francesco; religious celebrations take place in the Basilica of the Holy Face and the church of San Nicola di Bari.
When
In May, around the third Sunday.
How to get there
Manoppello can be reached by car via the A25 motorway (Alanno-Scafa exit) or the SS5; it is also served by the Manoppello Scalo train station. During the festival, the Municipality operates free shuttles to the Basilica and sets up alternative routes for traffic closures.
Admission
Concerts and shows in the square are free of charge.
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Where does it take place — Feasts of the Holy Face
Piazza Garibaldi
Piazza Garibaldi, 65024 Manoppello