Festa dell'Incontro – Santa Maria Incoronata Parish

The Festa dell'Incontro in Vasto

The Festa dell'Incontro is one of the most cherished summer events in the Incoronata district of Vasto, located in the province of Chieti in the heart of the Adriatic Abruzzo region. Promoted by the Santa Maria Incoronata Parish together with local volunteers, the festival takes place every year in early August in the spaces surrounding the Incoronata church. It represents a moment of gathering that goes beyond a simple food festival: as the name suggests, the goal is to bring together the people of the neighborhood and the entire city in a climate of serenity and sharing.

Music, dancing, and conviviality

The program typically spans two evenings, starting in the early evening and continuing late into the night. The neighborhood squares transform into a large open-air dance floor, with orchestras and bands playing dance music, ballroom classics, and the greatest hits of the sixties and seventies, alternating with light music and entertainment. The formula focuses on intergenerational fun, engaging seniors, families, and young people in a unique, authentic village-style celebration.

Traditional Vasto cuisine

A major highlight is the local gastronomy, prepared by neighborhood volunteers at the essential food stalls. The menu features popular traditional dishes from the Vasto area and the Trabocchi Coast: seafood specialties, classic pasta dishes, arrosticini (grilled meat skewers), barbecued meats, fried treats, side dishes, and homemade desserts. The food, served in an informal and accessible setting, is an integral part of the experience and helps make the Festa dell'Incontro a cornerstone of the city's summer calendar.

The district and the Incoronata sanctuary

The event is deeply tied to the identity of the Incoronata district, which grew around the Santa Maria Incoronata sanctuary, one of the most beloved places of worship for the people of Vasto. The summer festival complements the religious celebrations dedicated to the Madonna Incoronata that animate the district in the spring, extending the community spirit that characterizes this part of Vasto into the heart of summer. With its genuine and welcoming atmosphere, the Festa dell'Incontro invites citizens and tourists to discover a more intimate and popular side of this Adriatic city.