Festivities in honor of Saint Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori
The patronal feast of Pagani featuring a novena, solemn celebrations, and music in Piazza Sant'Alfonso
About Saint Alphonsus Festival
The patron saint of Pagani
The festivities in honor of Saint Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori are the most anticipated event of the year for Pagani, a town in the Agro Nocerino-Sarnese area in the province of Salerno, Campania. Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori, a Neapolitan lawyer who became a bishop and founder of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, spent his final years in Pagani and passed away there on August 1, 1787. Since then, the city has venerated him as its patron saint and keeps his remains in the basilica that bears his name.
The Alfonsian Basilica, the heart of the festival
Everything revolves around the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori, which overlooks the square of the same name. Commissioned by the saint himself, who entrusted the design and construction to the royal architect Pietro Cimafonte, the church was begun in 1756 and completed only in 1824 after long interruptions. In 1908, Pope Pius X elevated it to the dignity of a minor basilica. It is still officiated by the Redemptorist Fathers, who curate the liturgical calendar of the festivities every summer.
The novena and the solemn days
The religious program begins with the novena, nine consecutive evenings preparing for the solemnity: recitation of the rosary in the late afternoon and an evening mass presided over each day by a different celebrant. Bishops and religious superiors from across Campania and the Redemptorist world take turns at the basilica's altar, a sign of the bond between Pagani and its saint. On the evening of July 31, the commemoration of the blessed transit is held, a vigil recalling the final hours of Saint Alphonsus.
On August 1, the day of the solemnity, masses are held from early morning until the solemn evening celebration, traditionally presided over by the Bishop of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno. The following day, the festivities conclude with an outdoor mass celebrated in front of the basilica.
The secular program in the square
Alongside the devotional aspect, the festival has always had a popular side that enlivens Piazza Sant'Alfonso and the streets of the center: artistic illuminations, market stalls, traditional southern brass bands, and free evening concerts. Over the years, the lineup has featured historic bands, orchestras, evenings dedicated to younger audiences—such as the Pagani Music Festival—and well-known names from the Neapolitan and Italian music scenes.
- Free evening concerts in Piazza Sant'Alfonso
- Brass band performances, fanfares, and orchestras
- Illuminations and decorations along the main streets
- Stalls selling sweets and local products
- Traffic management and road closures in the center during peak days
An event that reaches beyond Pagani
During the days of the solemnity, the city welcomes thousands of residents and pilgrims arriving from neighboring towns—Nocera Inferiore, Sarno, Angri, Scafati—and from the entire diocese of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno. In 2025, a jubilee year, the urn containing the saint's remains was exceptionally taken in procession through the city streets for the first time in twenty-five years: a rare event, made delicate by the fragility of the relics, which drew a massive crowd.
When to go
The peak period runs from the last ten days of July to the first days of August. Those seeking reflection should choose the evenings of the novena in the basilica; those wanting to experience the popular festival should focus on August 1 and 2, when the center fills up and the square hosts the performances. In both cases, it is advisable to check in advance for municipal ordinances regulating parking and traffic in the historic center.
Saint Alphonsus Festival — edition 2026
An edition focused on the basilica
In 2026, the festivities in honor of Saint Alphonsus in Pagani span eleven days, from July 23 to August 2, with the center of gravity in the Pontifical Basilica of Saint Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori and the square in front. The novena brings a wide representation of the Campanian episcopate and the Redemptorist world to the Pagani altar.
The secular program
The secular side of the 2026 edition is more contained compared to previous years and revolves around the concert of the State Police Fanfare on Saturday, August 1, organized by the Extraordinary Commission administering the city. Controversy has arisen in the city regarding the absence of fairground rides: the fair area usually intended for the amusement park has been declared unusable, and citizens have requested clarifications from local authorities.
Traffic
Due to the influx of residents and pilgrims expected on August 1 and 2, the urban security and civil protection sector of the Municipality of Pagani has issued an ordinance (July 28, 2026) regulating traffic and parking in the center streets affected by the celebrations.
Programme Saint Alphonsus Festival 2026
Novena — from July 23 to 31, 2026
Every day in the basilica: 6:15 PM rosary, 7:00 PM holy mass.
- Thursday, July 23 — Msgr. Antonio Di Donna, Bishop of Acerra
- Friday, July 24 — Fr. Antonio Guarracino, vicar of the Pagani deanery
- Saturday, July 25 — Msgr. Antonio De Luca, Bishop of Teggiano-Policastro
- Sunday, July 26 — Msgr. Alfonso Raimo, Auxiliary Bishop of Salerno-Campagna-Acerno
- Monday, July 27 — Msgr. Francesco Alfano, Archbishop of Sorrento-Castellammare di Stabia
- Tuesday, July 28 — Fr. Marco Siano, parish of Sarno; followed by the offering of the votive lamp
- Wednesday, July 29 — Fr. Laureano Del Otero Sevillano, from Ciorani
- Thursday, July 30 — Msgr. Alfonso V. Amarante, Rector of the Pontifical Lateran University
- Friday, July 31 — Msgr. Francesco Marino, Bishop of Nola; 9:00 PM commemoration of the blessed transit
Saturday, August 1, 2026 — Solemnity of Saint Alphonsus
- Holy masses at 7:00, 8:30, 10:30, and 12:00
- 7:30 PM — solemn concelebration presided over by Msgr. Giuseppe Giudice, Bishop of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno
- 9:30 PM — concert of the State Police Fanfare on the basilica parvis, in Piazza Sant'Alfonso: conducted by maestro Massimiliano Profili, with the participation of soprano Martina Paciotti. Free admission.
Sunday, August 2, 2026
- Holy masses at 7:00, 8:30, and 10:30
- 8:00 PM — closing outdoor mass presided over by Fr. Gennaro Sorrentino, Provincial Superior of the Redemptorists of South Europe
In 2026, the fair area does not host rides, which were declared unplaceable due to the area's unsuitability.
Highlights Saint Alphonsus Festival 2026
- Nine evenings of novena with bishops and religious superiors from all over Campania
- Commemoration of the blessed transit, Friday, July 31 at 9:00 PM
- Solemn mass on August 1 presided over by the Bishop of Nocera Inferiore-Sarno
- Concert of the State Police Fanfare in Piazza Sant'Alfonso, with soprano Martina Paciotti
- Closing outdoor mass on the evening of Sunday, August 2
Prices Saint Alphonsus Festival 2026
Practical information — Saint Alphonsus Festival
Where
Pontifical Basilica of Saint Alphonsus Maria de' Liguori and Piazza Sant'Alfonso, 84016 Pagani (SA), Campania.
How to get there
- By train: Pagani railway station on the Naples-Salerno line; the basilica is within walking distance from the center.
- By car: A3 Naples-Salerno motorway, Pagani exit. During the festival, the center is subject to parking bans and road closures: it is advisable to park further away and continue on foot.
- By plane: Naples-Capodichino airport, approximately 50 km away.
Costs
Religious celebrations and evening performances in the square are free of charge.
Useful tips
- Arrive well in advance for the solemn mass on August 1: the basilica and the square fill up quickly.
- Appropriate attire is required for entering the basilica.
- Check the traffic ordinances published by the Municipality in the days leading up to the festival.
- Evening events in the square continue until late: plan your return accordingly.
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Where does it take place — Saint Alphonsus Festival
Basilica pontificia di Sant'Alfonso Maria de' Liguori e Piazza Sant'Alfonso
Piazza Sant'Alfonso, 84016 Pagani