Madonna della Croce Festival - Casaranello

The 2025 Madonna della Croce Festival in Casaranello opened with a five-day preparation period from October 13 to 17, featuring the Holy Rosary, litanies, and Holy Mass at the Church of Santa Maria della Croce.

The eve of Saturday, October 18, combined devotion and celebration: after the first vespers and the procession along the parish streets, the community gathered for a candlelight vigil in Piazza San Domenico, tastings of local products, and a comedy show by I Malfattori in Piazzetta Bastianutti.

Sunday, October 19, the day of the festival, featured Holy Masses at Santa Maria della Croce, a children's party with inflatables and entertainment in the afternoon, and concluded in the evening with a concert by Gli Avvocati Divorzisti and the traditional fireworks display. A free-admission festival, representing an authentic expression of popular devotion and the vitality of the Casaranello district in the heart of Salento.

Preparation — October 13-17, 2025

• 18:15 — Holy Rosary and litanies
• 19:00 — Holy Mass (Church of Santa Maria della Croce)

Saturday, October 18, 2025 — Eve

• 17:45 — First Vespers (Church of Santa Maria della Croce)
• 18:15 — Procession along the main parish streets
• 19:00 — Eucharistic Celebration (Church of San Domenico)
• 19:00 — Tasting of local products
• 20:00 — Candlelight vigil (Piazza San Domenico)
• 21:15 — Comedy show I Malfattori (Piazzetta Bastianutti)

Sunday, October 19, 2025 — Festival Day

• 8:30, 10:30 and 19:00 — Holy Masses (Church of Santa Maria della Croce)
• 17:30-20:30 — Children's party with inflatables and entertainment
• 19:00 — Tasting of local products
• 21:00 — Fireworks display
• 21:15 — Concert Gli Avvocati Divorzisti