Festival of the Madonna del Mare
The fishermen's festival of Porto Garibaldi between faith, sea, and tradition
About Madonna del Mare
A festival born from fishermen's devotion
The Festival of the Madonna del Mare is the most iconic celebration of Porto Garibaldi, a seaside hamlet in the Municipality of Comacchio, in the province of Ferrara, in the heart of Emilia-Romagna overlooking the Adriatic. Rooted in the fishermen's community, the festival intertwines faith in the Madonna, protector of seafarers, with a grand village festival that draws residents and tourists from the nearby Lidi di Comacchio.
The sea procession, a symbolic moment
The spiritual heart of the event is the sea procession, traditionally held on the first Sunday of June. After a solemn mass, the statue of the Madonna is carried in a procession through the village streets and then embarked: fishing boats and harbor vessels accompany her along the canal and offshore. At sea, about two miles from the shore, a blessing is given and a laurel wreath is cast into the water in memory of the lost and fallen at sea, a moving gesture that speaks of the deep bond between the village and its maritime activity.
Ten days of popular celebration
Alongside the religious dimension, the Festival of the Madonna del Mare is also a major entertainment event. Throughout the festival, the village comes alive every evening with:
- Food stalls with local seafood specialties, open in the evening at the parish area;
- Musical evenings and entertainment, including the popular Latin American nights;
- Games and activities for children in the parish grounds;
- Funfair and festive moments for all ages;
- Concluding fireworks display over the sea, the grand finale of the festival.
Between faith and maritime tradition
Organized by the Parish of the Immaculate Conception of Mary in Porto Garibaldi with the support of local entities, the festival represents a moment of deep popular devotion but also an opportunity to rediscover the identity of a fishing village. The village streets are decorated with banners and flowers in the colors of the different districts, creating an authentic atmosphere that combines spirituality, flavors, and traditions of the Ferrara Adriatic coast.
Madonna del Mare — edition 2026
2026 Program
The 2026 edition opened on Friday, May 29, with the opening of the food stall at the parish and a burraco tournament with dinner. In the following days, evening food stalls, musical entertainment, and Latin American nights followed.
- June 5-6: children's games (3:30 PM), solemn masses (7:00 PM), procession through the village streets, and Latin American night (9:00 PM);
- Sunday, June 7 (main day): solemn mass (10:00 AM), sea procession with wreath laying in memory of those lost at sea (11:15 AM), evening musical entertainment (9:00 PM), and concluding fireworks display (11:30 PM).
Throughout the festival, the village of Porto Garibaldi offered stalls with seafood specialties, a funfair, and entertainment for all ages.
Programme Madonna del Mare 2026
2026 Program
- Fri, May 29 – 7:00 PM opening of food stall; 7:30 PM burraco tournament with dinner
- Sat, May 30 – 7:00 PM food stall; 9:00 PM Latin American night
- Sun, May 31 – 7:00 PM food stall; 9:00 PM musical entertainment
- June 1-2 – food stalls and musical entertainment
- June 5-6 – 3:30 PM children's games; 7:00 PM solemn mass and procession through the village streets; 9:00 PM Latin American night
- Sun, June 7 – 10:00 AM solemn mass; 11:15 AM sea procession with wreath laying; 9:00 PM musical entertainment; 11:30 PM fireworks display
Highlights Madonna del Mare 2026
- Sea procession with fishing boats and wreath laying in memory of those lost at sea (Sunday, June 7)
- Concluding fireworks display over the sea
- Food stalls with seafood specialties
- Latin American nights and musical entertainment
- Funfair and children's games
Prices Madonna del Mare 2026
Practical information — Madonna del Mare
How to get there
Porto Garibaldi is a hamlet of Comacchio (FE) on the Adriatic coast. By car, it can be reached from the Romea state road (SS309) and the roads of the Lidi di Comacchio. The nearest train station is Ostellato/Comacchio, connected by bus to the coast.
When
The festival takes place annually between late May and early June, with the sea procession on the first Sunday of June.
Admission and costs
Access to the celebrations and events is free; food stalls are subject to payment according to the event's price list.
Tips
To witness the sea procession, it's advisable to position yourself along the canal port in the late morning. The festival is ideal to combine with a stay in the Lidi di Comacchio (Lido degli Estensi, Lido di Spina) and a visit to the historic center of Comacchio.
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Where does it take place — Madonna del Mare
Porto Garibaldi