Immaculate Conception Fair

A December 8th tradition in the heart of Abruzzo

The Immaculate Conception Fair is one of the most deeply rooted events in the calendar of Popoli Terme, a town of about 5,500 residents in the province of Pescara, Abruzzo. It is held every year on December 8th, the day the Church celebrates the Immaculate Conception, and for generations, it has served as the event that officially opens the Christmas period in this town nestled between the Majella and Gran Sasso National Parks.

The fair through the village streets

For the entire day, the historic center of Popoli transforms into a large open-air market. Non-food stalls—offering clothing, footwear, housewares, gifts, toys, and home products—occupy the streets and squares according to the layout designated by the Municipality. It is a traditional local market, the kind that has always defined the life of Abruzzo communities and attracts visitors from the nearby Peligna Valley and the Sulmona basin.

The creative market at Parco Umbro

In recent years, the fair has been enriched by the creative market hosted at Parco Umbro, in the area known as Villa Vecchia. Here, a committee of local craftswomen and artisans displays strictly handmade goods from the early morning: Christmas decorations, jewelry, fabric items, gift ideas, and unique creations. It is a more intimate and curated corner that complements the large general market, adding a touch of originality to the day.

The atmosphere of the Immaculate Conception

In Abruzzo, December 8th is the date that shapes Christmas: squares light up, festive lights illuminate buildings and alleys, and the celebration blends devotion, tradition, and a sense of community. In Popoli, the fair intertwines with this atmosphere, offering the perfect opportunity for a stroll among the village's monuments—the medieval Taverna Ducale with its Gothic portal, the Palazzo Ducale of the Cantelmo family, and the church of San Francesco—and to start holiday shopping.

Popoli Terme, the City of Waters

Known as the City of Waters for its numerous thermal springs, Popoli Terme preserves a significant historical heritage linked to the noble Cantelmo family and the Swabian period of Frederick II. Visiting the Immaculate Conception Fair also means discovering an authentic Abruzzo village, a gateway between the great national parks of the Central Apennines.

Note: The dates and details for the 2026 edition are confirmed by the Municipality of Popoli Terme for December 8th; the detailed program and stall layout are published on the municipal website closer to the event.