Festa Patronale di San Donato — Fiaccolata e Fiera
The historic torchlight procession and the carrera of San Donato, between faith and great concerts
About Festa di San Donato
San Donato, the Patron Saint of Rotello
In Rotello, a village in lower Molise in the province of Campobasso, near the border with Puglia, August 7th is the date of the patron saint, San Donato. The festival is the most heartfelt moment of the year for the community and draws emigrants back to the village from all over the region, in a great gathering of faith and tradition.
The Historic Torchlight Procession and the Carrera
The heart of the celebration is the historic torchlight procession which, at the end of the solemn novena (late July), accompanies a cart with the Saint's relic along the so-called carrera di San Donato. It is an ancient and evocative rite, illuminating the village streets with flames and devotion. On August 7th, the festival day, there will be mass, the procession, the fair with stalls, and the parade in period costumes.
The Great Musical Evenings
Alongside the religious aspect, the San Donato festival offers musical evenings with nationally renowned artists: in 2026, the duo Zero Assoluto will headline the concert on August 6th. A blend of the sacred and the profane that makes the patronal festival of Rotello an identity event capable of uniting multiple generations.
Festa di San Donato — edition 2026
In 2026, Rotello once again renews the festival of its patron saint San Donato. Following the solemn novena at the end of July and the evocative historic torchlight procession with the Saint's relic along the carrera, on August 6th the festival ignites with the major concert by Zero Assoluto, while August 7th, the patron saint's day, is marked by mass, the procession, the fair with stalls, and the parade in period costumes.
Programme Festa di San Donato 2026
Late July — Novena
- Solemn novena in honor of San Donato
- Historic torchlight procession: cart with the Saint's relic along the "carrera di San Donato"
August 6th
- Evening — concert by the duo Zero Assoluto
August 7th — Patron Saint's Day
- Solemn mass in honor of San Donato
- Procession through the streets of the historic center
- Fair with stalls
- Parade in period costumes
The detailed hourly program will be released by the Festival Committee and the Municipality in the weeks prior.
Highlights Festa di San Donato 2026
Prices Festa di San Donato 2026
Practical information — Festa di San Donato
When
August 7th, festival of the patron saint San Donato; historic torchlight procession at the end of the novena (late July); concert on the evening of August 6th.
How to get there
Rotello is located in lower Molise, in the province of Campobasso, near the border with Puglia.
Admission
Free and outdoor event.
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Where does it take place — Festa di San Donato
Centro storico di Rotello