Festival of Saint Alexander — Patron of Bergamo
The festival of the patron saint of the city and the Diocese of Bergamo
About Saint Alexander
The Patron Saint of Bergamo
Saint Alexander the Martyr is the patron saint of the city and the Diocese of Bergamo. According to tradition, he was a soldier of the Theban Legion martyred in Bergamo: August 26th, the day of his martyrdom, is celebrated "in perpetuity" by the entire city. The patronal feast is an event that combines the religious dimension with the civil and popular one, deeply rooted in the identity of Bergamo.
Religious Celebrations
The heart of the festival is the solemn Eucharistic celebration on August 26th, at 10:30 AM in the Cathedral. In the afternoon, Vespers are scheduled for 5:00 PM in the Cathedral of Saint Alexander, and at 6:30 PM, the Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Bishop in the Basilica of Saint Alexander in Colonna. The initiatives are spread over several days, approximately from August 20th to September 1st.
The Fair on the Sentierone
Alongside the religious celebrations, the festival comes alive with a fair in the heart of the lower city: the Sentierone is filled with stalls, street food, and live performances, with about thirty exhibitors offering products and gastronomic specialties. The stands are open from morning to evening until August 26th, giving the city a festive atmosphere.
A Festival for the Entire City
Music, theatrical performances, cultural initiatives, and the opening of museums complete the program. The Festival of Saint Alexander is an opportunity to experience Bergamo, in the Province of Bergamo, during one of the most heartfelt moments of the year, amidst faith, tradition, and conviviality in the heart of Lombardy.
Saint Alexander — edition 2026
The 2026 Festival of Saint Alexander celebrates the patron saint of the city and the Diocese of Bergamo. The highlight is the solemn celebration on August 26th, accompanied by a fair on the Sentierone and cultural initiatives spread approximately from August 20th to September 1st.
The detailed 2026 program will be published by the Diocese and the Municipality of Bergamo in the weeks prior, following the established format of the patronal feast.
Programme Saint Alexander 2026
August 26 — Religious Celebrations
- 10:30 AM — Solemn Eucharistic celebration in the Cathedral
- 5:00 PM — Vespers in the Cathedral of Saint Alexander
- 6:30 PM — Eucharistic celebration presided over by the Bishop in the Basilica of Saint Alexander in Colonna
Fair on the Sentierone
- Approximately 30 exhibitors with products and gastronomic specialties
- Stalls, street food, and live performances; stands open from morning to evening until August 26th
Cultural Initiatives
- Music, theatrical performances, opening of city museums
The complete calendar will be published on the websites of the Diocese and the Municipality of Bergamo.
Highlights Saint Alexander 2026
Prices Saint Alexander 2026
Practical information — Saint Alexander
How to get there
The religious celebrations are held in Città Alta (Cathedral and Basilica of Saint Alexander), reachable by funicular; the fair takes place on the Sentierone, in the lower city, near the station.
Admission
Religious celebrations and the fair are free to enter.
Tip
During the festival, many city museums are open: an opportunity to visit Città Alta on a special day.
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Where does it take place — Saint Alexander
Cattedrale di Bergamo e Sentierone
Piazza Duomo, 24129 Bergamo