Festival of the Ceri
The oldest and craziest race in Italy, in honor of Saint Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio
About Festival of the Ceri
The festival that is the soul of Gubbio
If there is one day when Gubbio, a medieval city in Umbria in the province of Perugia, reveals its entire soul, it is May 15th. The Festa dei Ceri is not a simple re-enactment: it is a collective ritual that involves the entire community, passed down from generation to generation and felt as a true identity. In 2013, the festival was included by UNESCO in the Network of Great Italian Historical Events, and since 1973, the three Ceri have been the official symbol of the Umbria Region.
The three Ceri and the 'ceraioli'
The absolute protagonists are the three Ceri: hourglass-shaped wooden structures ("H"-shaped), about 4 meters high and weighing around 300 kg, topped with the statues of the three saints. Each Cero belongs to a corporation: Saint Ubaldo (masons and stonemasons), Saint George (merchants and artisans), and Saint Anthony (farmers and students). The ceraioli, dressed in the shirt of their respective color — yellow, blue, and black — take turns carrying the Ceri at a run, in a feat of physical endurance at the limit of the possible.
Origins: the cult of Saint Ubaldo
The tradition dates back to 1160, the year of the death of Bishop Ubaldo Baldassini, patron saint of Gubbio. According to tradition, the Ceri originated as an offering of votive candles that the corporations offered to the saint, evolving over the centuries into the imposing structures of today. The race starts from the city and climbs along the steep roads of Mount Ingino to the Basilica that houses the saint's remains.
An experience to live
The day of May 15th is marked by precise rituals that begin at dawn and culminate in the evening race. The Alzata dei Ceri (Raising of the Ceri) in Piazza Grande at noon is one of the most exciting moments, with the crowd filling Italy's most scenic elevated square. The event is free and attracts tens of thousands of visitors from all over Italy and abroad each year.
Festival of the Ceri — edition 2026
The Festa dei Ceri 2026 took place on Friday, May 15th, following the unchanged ceremonial of centuries. From dawn, the drums woke the Captains and the "Campanone" (great bell) of the Palazzo dei Consoli called the city to gather. The morning culminated with the Raising of the Ceri in Piazza Grande, while in the afternoon, the Race took the three Ceri through the streets of the center and up Mount Ingino to the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo. This year too, the Cero of Saint Ubaldo arrived first, as tradition dictates.
Programme Festival of the Ceri 2026
Friday, May 15, 2026 — The Day of the Ceri
- 05:30 AM — Drums wake the Captains at their homes
- 06:00 AM — The "Campanone" of the Palazzo dei Consoli wakes the city
- 06:15 AM — Ceremony at the chapel of San Francesco della Pace (church of the Masons)
- 07:00 AM — Commemoration of deceased 'ceraioli' at the Civic Cemetery
- 08:00 AM — Holy Mass and drawing of the lottery for future Captains
- 09:00–10:00 AM — Procession of the Saints and parade of the 'ceraioli' from Porta Castello towards Piazza Grande
- 11:30 AM — Investiture of the Captains in Piazza Grande
- 12:00 PM — Raising of the Ceri in Piazza Grande (the most anticipated moment of the morning)
- 01:00–02:00 PM — "Tavola bona" (good table), the 'ceraioli' lunch under the Arches of the Palazzo dei Consoli
- 05:00 PM — Procession of the statue of Saint Ubaldo from the Duomo
- 05:50 PM — "Alzatella" (little raising) at the Ceppi (children's race)
- 06:00 PM — Start of the Race of the Ceri from Calata dei Neri along the Corso and Via dei Consoli
- 07:30 PM — Arrival of the Ceri at the Basilica of Saint Ubaldo on Mount Ingino
- 08:30 PM — Descent of the Saints towards the church of the Masons
Related events: Sunday, May 3rd, the Ceri descend from the Basilica into the city; Monday, May 13th, "Welcome Dinner".
Highlights Festival of the Ceri 2026
Prices Festival of the Ceri 2026
Practical information — Festival of the Ceri
How to get there
Gubbio does not have a train station: by train, you can reach Fossato di Vico-Gubbio or Perugia, then take a bus. By car, take the Gubbio-Mocaiana exit from the SS298 or the E45. On May 15th, the historic center is closed to traffic from 5:00 AM to midnight.
Parking and access
Recommended parking areas: Teatro Romano, San Pietro, Gattapone, Santa Lucia, and Piazzale Leonardo Da Vinci. The Colle Eletto cable car is active for ascending Mount Ingino.
Costs and tips
The event is free. For the Raising in Piazza Grande, it is advisable to arrive by 10:00 AM. Good viewing points: Via Dante for the race and Porta Sant'Ubaldo for the finish.
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Where does it take place — Festival of the Ceri
Piazza Grande e Monte Ingino
Piazza Grande, 06024 Gubbio