Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix of Auricarro

The 2025 edition of the Festival of the Most Holy Crucifix of Auricarro took place in Palo del Colle from Friday, September 19 to Monday, September 22, 2025, under the theme "Joy". Four intense days that intertwined religious tradition with a packed schedule of secular events across Piazza della Minerva, Piazza Santa Croce, Piazza Roosevelt, and the churches of the historic center.

Among the most acclaimed moments were the pop concert by Alex Britti, the one-man show by Biagio Izzo, the "Textures" concert with Alberto Iovene and Daniele Di Bonaventura in the Mother Church, the "Tradition in Motion" historical parade organized by the Pro Loco, and the concluding "Starlight" fireworks display by Emotion Fireworks. There was no shortage of brass band concerts, photography and illustration exhibitions, dance and skating performances, DJ sets, and the inevitable illuminations that lit up the town.

Friday, September 19

• 19:00 — "Tradition in Motion": historical parade with carriages and period costumes from Viale Vittorio Veneto to Piazza della Minerva, organized by the Pro Loco

Saturday, September 20

• 20:00 — Rec Radio DJ set (Piazza Roosevelt and Via Umberto I)
• 20:00 — "Mai 'na Gioia" photography exhibition (Crypt of Santa Maria La Porta Church) and illustration exhibition by Anna Franca Coviello (Palazzo Filomarino)
• 20:00 — Game, Sports, Dance, and Third Sector Festival (Piazza Roosevelt)
• Brass band concert by the "Guaccero – Sangirardi" Band (Piazza della Minerva)
• 21:00 — "Witnesses of Joy" ceremony
• 21:30 — Pop concert by Alex Britti
• 00:00 — "Textures" concert with Alberto Iovene and Daniele Di Bonaventura (Mother Church)

Sunday, September 21

• 6:30 — "Light": tribute to Ludovico Einaudi with Mimma Minerva and choreography by Gabriella Pellegrino (Piazza della Minerva)
• 21:00 — Thanksgiving ceremony for the families of the Votive Carriages (Piazza Santa Croce)
• 21:30 — One-man show by Biagio Izzo
• 23:00 — Rec Radio DJ set

Monday, September 22

• 20:30 — "Let's Sing Africa" concert by the choir of the Libera Università Domenico Guaccero (San Domenico Church)
• 20:30 — "Steps of Joy": dance and skating with DanzAnima, Double Fire, Orodance Lopez, and ASD Giselle (Piazza della Minerva)
• 22:00 — "Procession of Joy" (from Piazza Santa Croce)
• 22:30 — "Starlight": Emotion Fireworks display with ARTLUX light effects (Dream Team Amphitheater)