Giugno Antoniano Reatino (Feast of Saint Anthony - Procession of the Ceri)
Two weeks of faith, tradition, and entertainment in the heart of Rieti, culminating in the solemn Procession of the Ceri
About Giugno Antoniano Reatino
A devotion that unites the entire city
The Giugno Antoniano Reatino is much more than a patronal feast: it is the month when Rieti, the capital of the province of the same name in the heart of Lazio, truly finds its identity. Organized by the Confraternita Pia Unione Sant'Antonio di Padova, an ecclesiastical body based in Piazza Mazzini, the event spans over two weeks, from the eve of the saint's liturgical memorial until the return of the effigy at the end of the month.
The calendar structure is well-established and intentionally tripartite: the liturgical program takes place in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino, the cultural events are held in the adjacent cloister, and the evening shows come to life on the stage in Piazza Mazzini. This simple layout allows devotees, curious visitors, and passersby alike to find their own space without one dimension overshadowing the other.
The Procession of the Ceri, the heart of the festival
Everything converges toward the solemn Procession of the Ceri, held on the final Sunday. This is the moment the city changes its face: at dawn, in the cloister of Sant'Agostino, traditional hot chocolate and artisanal biscuits are served—a morning ritual that gathers hundreds of people even before the celebrations begin. This is followed by morning masses and the Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by the Bishop of Rieti.
In the afternoon, the streets of the center are covered with infiorate, intricate petal carpets created by local groups along the processional route, with streets closed to traffic. In the early evening, the bearers—chosen by lottery, according to a custom passed down through generations—lift the heavy Ceri and process through Rieti. The day ends late at night with a fireworks display, an event that draws crowds from all over the Sabina region.
Free music in Piazza Mazzini
Alongside the religious dimension, the Giugno Antoniano has built a nationally renowned musical lineup over the years, always with free admission. Piazza Mazzini has hosted famous names from the Italian music scene, with concerts typically starting around 9:30 PM and filling the square until late. This is a deliberate choice by the organizers: the festival must remain accessible to everyone, without tickets.
The Festival of ReatinitĂ
Starting with the 2026 edition, the program has been enriched with the Festival of ReatinitĂ , a week dedicated to promoting the territory's identity. The schedule includes marching bands and itinerant brass band gatherings in the historic center, theater in the local Rieti dialect, athletic competitions, free health screenings, and food and wine experiences linked to the province's products. It is a way to expand the festival from mere devotion to a comprehensive narrative of the land.
Traditions that mark the month
- Blessing of the children: one of the most popular events, with families gathered in the square around the bishop
- Blessing of engaged couples and families: a moment dedicated to couples and family units
- Peace March and reflection meetings promoted with the diocese
- Luminarie: installed as early as May, they transform the center of Rieti for weeks
- Bearer's Dinner: a convivial meal in the cloister of Sant'Agostino that celebrates those who have kept the tradition alive over the years
Why it's worth the trip
Rieti is often considered the geographical center of Italy and remains one of the provincial capitals least affected by mass tourism. The Giugno Antoniano is the best opportunity to discover it: the Papal Palace, the medieval porticoes, the riverfront, and the Franciscan Holy Valley provide the backdrop for a festival that has nothing artificial or purely folkloric about it. It is a living tradition, carried forward by a community that truly believes in it, making it a rare experience in the landscape of Lazio's patronal festivals.
Giugno Antoniano Reatino — edition 2026
Giugno Antoniano Reatino 2026
The 2026 edition opened on June 12, the eve of the liturgical memorial of Saint Anthony, with the display of the statue in the Basilica of Sant'Agostino, and closed on June 29 with the return of the effigy. Presented by Prior Alessandro Brunelli as «a special edition for the Franciscan Jubilee», it alternated liturgical celebrations, conferences, solidarity events, and entertainment moments.
The big news was the Festival of ReatinitĂ , a week of events in the historic center dedicated to the territory's identity, from the itinerant brass band gathering to dialect theater. The musical lineup brought Gianmarco Carroccia, Irene Grandi, and Clara to Piazza Mazzini, with thousands of people in the square for each evening. To close, the Procession of the Ceri on June 28 and fireworks by VDS Fireworks of Borgorose.
Programme Giugno Antoniano Reatino 2026
Festival of Reatinità — from June 14 to 21
- Sunday, June 14 — Bersaglieri Fanfare of Monteleone Sabino: parade and concert in the historic center
- During the week — itinerant brass band gathering, Rieti dialect theater (including «Lu Pastrocchiu» by the G.A.D. group in Piazza Mazzini), athletic competitions, health screenings, local food and wine experiences
- Sunday, June 21 — «Bearer's Dinner», convivial meal in the cloister of Sant'Agostino
Blessings and liturgies
- Friday, June 12 — display of the statue of Saint Anthony, opening of the Antonian month
- Tuesday, June 23 — Blessing of the children in Piazza Mazzini, presided over by Bishop Vito Piccinonna
- Thursday, June 25 — Blessing of engaged couples and families
- Monday, June 29 — return of the saint's effigy
Concerts in Piazza Mazzini (9:30 PM, free admission)
- Saturday, June 20 — Gianmarco Carroccia, «Emozioni»: a journey through the masterpieces of Mogol and Lucio Battisti
- Thursday, June 25 — Irene Grandi in concert
- Saturday, June 27 — Clara, with «Boulevard», «Diamanti grezzi», «Febbre», «Scelte stupide», and «Primadonna»
Sunday, June 28 — Procession of the Ceri
- 7:30 AM — cloister of Sant'Agostino: distribution of hot chocolate and artisanal biscuits
- 8:00 AM — first Holy Mass, presided over by Friar Marcello Bonforte OFM
- 11:30 AM — Solemn Pontifical Mass presided over by the Bishop of Rieti, Mons. Vito Piccinonna
- Afternoon — creation of the infiorate along the route, with traffic closures
- 7:00 PM — Solemn Procession of the Ceri through the city streets
- 11:30 PM — fireworks display by VDS Fireworks of Borgorose
Other events
- From June 26 to 29 — Papal Palace: vintage car exhibition, featuring the Cadillacs of Pius XI and Pius XII
- «Night of the Lily» — evening of activities for all ages
Highlights Giugno Antoniano Reatino 2026
- The Procession of the Ceri on June 28, with bearers chosen by lottery and infiorate along the entire route
- The dawn hot chocolate in the cloister of Sant'Agostino at 7:30 AM
- Clara's concert on June 27, with Piazza Mazzini packed with young people
- Irene Grandi on the Piazza Mazzini stage on June 25
- The first edition of the Festival of ReatinitĂ , from June 14 to 21
- The Bersaglieri Fanfare of Monteleone Sabino parading in the historic center
- The final fireworks display at 11:30 PM
- The Cadillacs of Pius XI and Pius XII exhibited at the Papal Palace
Prices Giugno Antoniano Reatino 2026
Practical information — Giugno Antoniano Reatino
How to get there
By car: from Rome, take the SS4 Via Salaria (approx. 80 km, 1 hour and 15 minutes); from Terni, take the SS79 (approx. 35 km). During the days of the procession, many streets in the center are closed to traffic for the infiorate: it is best to leave your car in peripheral parking lots and reach the center on foot.
By train: Rieti station is on the Terni-Rieti-L'Aquila-Sulmona line, a few minutes' walk from the historic center.
By bus: direct Cotral connections from Rome (Tiburtina station).
Admission and costs
Liturgical celebrations, cultural meetings in the cloister, and evening concerts in Piazza Mazzini are free and open to the public. No reservations are required.
Tips
For the Procession of the Ceri, it is advisable to arrive well in advance: the route fills up quickly. Those who want to see the infiorate will find them completed by the early afternoon. Early in the morning, the distribution of hot chocolate in the cloister of Sant'Agostino is a charming moment little known to outside visitors.
Contacts
Confraternita Pia Unione Sant'Antonio di Padova, Piazza Mazzini 1, 02100 Rieti — [email protected] — www.giugnoantonianoreatino.it
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Where does it take place — Giugno Antoniano Reatino
Basilica di Sant'Agostino e Piazza Mazzini
Piazza Mazzini 1, 02100 Rieti