Festa a Mare agli Scogli di Sant'Anna
Allegorical boats, the simulated fire of the Aragonese Castle, and a pyromusical show in the Bay of Cartaromana
About Sant'Anna Festival
A night like no other in the Bay of Cartaromana
Some festivals capture the essence of a place better than any guidebook: the Festa a Mare agli Scogli di Sant'Anna is one of them. Every year in late July, the Bay of Cartaromana, nestled at the foot of the Aragonese Castle, turns into a natural water-bound amphitheater. Thousands of spectators gather on the rocks, piers, and hundreds of boats to witness the parade of illuminated allegorical vessels, the simulated fire of the Castle, and the pyromusical show that concludes the evening. It is the signature event of the Municipality of Ischia, in the Province of Naples, and one of the most renowned in all of Campania.
Since 1932: from fishermen's devotion to a grand spectacle
The festival's origins date back to 1932. On the evening of July 26, the feast day of Saint Anne, the fishermen of Ischia Ponte would gather before the small chapel dedicated to the saint on the rocks of Cartaromana to recite the rosary, followed by a dinner of rabbit and eggplant parmigiana. From this popular custom, a group of friends decided to establish a prize for the most beautiful boat: thus began the competition that, with the arrival of master shipwrights and floating platforms, gradually evolved into the parade of allegorical floats on water we see today.
Saint Anne is invoked as the patron saint of expectant mothers; this devotional dimension has never faded, coexisting with the spectacle in a balance that makes this festival unique among all summer events in the Gulf of Naples.
The competing allegorical boats
The heart of the event is the competition between allegorical boats, built over months of volunteer work by associations, parishes, and groups from Ischia, neighboring islands, and the Campanian mainland. Each vessel presents a theme through floating scenery, costumes, choreography, and music. A dedicated Lega Navale regatta determines the parade order, while a jury awards prizes at the end of the evening.
- Funiciello Prize — best artistic sketch
- Andrea Di Massa Prize — technical innovation
- Nerone Prize — spirit of the festival
- Domenico Di Meglio Prize — public vote from those in the bay
- Mario Mazzella Prize — balance of forms and colors
- Social Prize — online voting
The fire of the Aragonese Castle
Once the boats complete their circuit, the bay goes dark for the most anticipated moment: the simulated fire of the Aragonese Castle. Bengal flares and red lights envelop the fortress, making it appear as if it were ablaze, a tribute to the sieges the island endured over the centuries. Immediately after, the pyromusical show illuminates the sky above Cartaromana, officially closing the festival. It is the image that, more than any other, circulates in newspapers and on social media every summer to tell the story of Ischia.
More than just the final evening
In recent years, the festival has expanded into a multi-day event, featuring guided historical walks in the ancient village of Ischia Ponte, conferences on the festival's history at Torre Guevara, dance performances, concerts, the Lega Navale regatta, the boat procession, and the Mass for Expectant Mothers celebrated on the rocks of Saint Anne. Alongside the cultural program, there is also an environmental initiative dedicated to cleaning the rocks and the seabed of the bay.
Ischia Ponte, the village hosting the festival
The stage for the event is one of the most photographed spots in Campania: the village of Ischia Ponte, with its pier connecting the mainland to the Aragonese Castle, the Fishermen's Beach (Spiaggia dei Pescatori), and the Bay of Cartaromana, where the remains of the ancient Roman colony of Aenaria still rest. Visitors arriving for the festival find the entire town involved: shops open, stalls, seaside restaurants, and an atmosphere that begins as early as the afternoon.
Tips for the best experience
- Arrive well in advance: the village's panoramic viewpoints fill up by the early afternoon.
- Plan your return ferry: evening departures to Naples and Pozzuoli are limited; many visitors choose to stay overnight on the island.
- Follow the Municipality of Ischia's channels in the days leading up to the event: for maritime safety reasons, the main evening may be postponed in case of bad weather.
Sant'Anna Festival — edition 2026
The 94th edition
The 2026 edition of the Festa a Mare agli Scogli di Sant'Anna, the 94th, was organized by the Municipality of Ischia as a four-day event, from July 23 to 26, 2026, between the village of Ischia Ponte and the Bay of Cartaromana.
The postponement of the main evening
The evening of July 26, the traditional climax of the festival, was postponed to Friday, July 31, 2026. The decision was made by the municipal administration in agreement with the Port Authority, law enforcement, and the involved entities, due to forecasts of rain, wind, and sea conditions incompatible with the smooth running of the parade, the pyromusical fireworks, and the safety of the thousands of boats expected in the bay. The program remains unchanged, starting at 8:30 PM.
Four competing allegorical boats
Four vessels were admitted to the 2026 competition, created by associations and parishes from Ischia and Campania: the Icaro Association - NA.L. Group from Nola with “Tutti sotto la stessa luna”, the Atlas 97 Association from Forio with “L'alba di una nuova avventura: vele di libertà ”, the Il Grido di Cristo Association from Lacco Ameno with “Il Visionario”, dedicated to Angelo Rizzoli, and the Parish of San Domenico in the SS.ma Annunziata of Ischia with “Ischia e le sue Torri”.
A new feature: Sirenes
Among the new offerings for the 2026 edition is the theatrical performance “Sirenes - Mermaid Experience”, set in the waters of the Bay of Cartaromana during the final evening.
Programme Sant'Anna Festival 2026
Thursday, July 23, 2026
- 8:45 PM - Meeting at Piazzale Aragonese (Cocò bar side) for the historical walk
- 9:00 PM - “Historical walk in the ancient village following the traces of Saint Anne”, limited-space guided tour with guide Giovanna Ferrandino
- 9:30 PM - Performance by ASD Il Balletto di Ischia for the 41st anniversary: classical, contemporary, and heels dance
Friday, July 24, 2026
- 12:00 PM - Regatta organized by the Lega Navale of Ischia and Procida, determining the parade order of the allegorical boats
- 7:00 PM - Conference “The Sea Festival: places and memory” at the Torre Guevara square, followed by a visit to the tower and its frescoes
Saturday, July 25, 2026
- 6:30 PM - Boat procession departing from Piazzale delle Alghe
- 7:00 PM - Mass for Expectant Mothers at the chapel of Saint Anne, on the rocks
- Throughout the day, information point for the environmental initiative “Operation Saint Anne”
Main evening - postponed to Friday, July 31, 2026 (starts at 8:30 PM)
- 7:00 PM - Marching band parade in the historic center of Ischia Ponte
- 8:00 PM - Live music with artist Romolo Bianco
- 9:00 PM - Parade of the four illuminated allegorical boats in the Bay of Cartaromana
- Following - Performance “Sirenes - Mermaid Experience”
- Following - Announcement of winners and prize-giving
- Grand finale - Simulated fire of the Aragonese Castle and pyromusical show
Monday, July 27, 2026
- 8:30 AM - “Operation Saint Anne”: cleaning of the rocks and seabed of the bay with the Regno di Nettuno Marine Protected Area
Highlights Sant'Anna Festival 2026
- 94th edition of a festival born in 1932 from the devotion of the fishermen of Ischia Ponte
- Four illuminated allegorical boats competing in the Bay of Cartaromana
- Simulated fire of the Aragonese Castle, the iconic image of the event
- Concluding pyromusical show over the bay
- 2026 novelty: the “Sirenes - Mermaid Experience” performance on the water
- Six prizes awarded to the boats, including public and social media votes
- Mass for Expectant Mothers on the rocks of Saint Anne, the devotional heart of the festival
- ⚠️ Main evening postponed to Friday, July 31, 2026 due to bad weather
Prices Sant'Anna Festival 2026
Practical information — Sant'Anna Festival
How to get there
Ischia can only be reached by sea. Ferries and hydrofoils depart from Naples (Molo Beverello and Calata Porta di Massa) and Pozzuoli, with additional connections from Procida and the Sorrento Peninsula during the high season. From the port of Ischia, you can reach Ischia Ponte in a few minutes via local buses or by walking along the main road.
Where to watch the show
The most popular viewing points are Piazzale Aragonese, the Castle pier, the Fishermen's Beach, and the narrow streets of the village overlooking the Bay of Cartaromana. Many spectators follow the parade directly from the sea on private or rented boats.
Admission
The event takes place outdoors and is free and open to the public in all its phases.
Tips
- Book your accommodation and ferries well in advance: this is the busiest weekend of the Ischian summer.
- Bring comfortable shoes: you will be walking a lot and standing for long periods.
- Check for any date changes: in case of adverse weather or sea conditions, the allegorical boat evening is postponed for safety reasons.
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Where does it take place — Sant'Anna Festival
Baia di Cartaromana - Castello Aragonese, Ischia Ponte
Baia di Cartaromana, Ischia Ponte, 80077 Ischia