Madonna di Fatima Festival
Three days of faith, music, and tradition in the Cardito district of Ariano Irpino
About Fatima Festival
A popular festival in the heart of Irpinia
The Madonna di Fatima Festival is one of the most attended events on the calendar in Ariano Irpino, a town in the province of Avellino, Campania. Every year, around May 13th—the anniversary of the Virgin's first apparition to the three shepherd children of Fatima—the Cardito district fills with festive lights, stalls, and families arriving from neighboring towns. The focal point is the Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, a parish established in 1986 that now serves as a Marian landmark for the entire Diocese of Ariano Irpino-Lacedonia.
The religious program
Preparation begins well in advance: a solemn novena marks the evenings leading up to the festival, featuring the recitation of the Rosary and daily Mass. The most intense moments of local devotion take place during the main days:
- the youth vigil at the Sanctuary;
- the candlelight procession for the sick, which travels from the Sanctuary to the local Frangipane hospital;
- Sunday Masses, celebrated repeatedly from early morning;
- the solemn afternoon procession, accompanied by a marching band, winding through the district's streets decorated with white drapes and blankets hanging from balconies;
- the entrustment of the city to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, which concludes the festivities;
- the solemnity of May 13th, with celebrations presided over by the diocesan bishop and a final procession around the Sanctuary area.
The secular program
Alongside the spiritual dimension, the Festival Committee curates a free secular program every year that has made the event popular far beyond the borders of Irpinia. Over the years, the stage in Piazza Madonna di Fatima has hosted well-known names in Italian music—from Eugenio Bennato and Gemelli DiVersi to Andrea Sannino—while the district hosts a funfair, a local market, food stalls, and entertainment evenings such as «La Corrida» and DJ sets. The grand finale is almost always the fireworks display, eagerly awaited by thousands of people.
Sport and community
The «Corriamo Insieme» city marathon deserves a special mention. In 2026, it reached the ninth edition of its current format: a race open to everyone, highly popular with local schools and associations, which winds through the streets of the district and transforms the festival into a true community event. The Committee, the parish, and local volunteers work together to manage hospitality, security, and assistance during the processions.
Why it's worth the trip
The Madonna di Fatima Festival perfectly captures the identity of inland Irpinia: a deeply rooted and sincerely lived Marian devotion that does not forgo the convivial spirit of a village feast. Ariano Irpino, the city of ceramics and Fiano wine, also offers visitors a historic center with its Cathedral, the Norman Castle, and panoramic views of the Apennine ridge. Those who arrive in May will find a town in celebration, lights glowing late into the night, and authentic Irpinian cuisine served at the district's stalls: Ariano bread, cured meats, cheeses, and local wines.
Fatima Festival — edition 2026
Madonna di Fatima Festival 2026
From May 8th to 10th, 2026, the Cardito district of Ariano Irpino experienced its most heartfelt festival, with a schedule that combined, as per tradition, spirituality and popular entertainment. The highlight occurred on Sunday, May 10th: after Masses celebrated at the Sanctuary from the early morning, the solemn 5:30 PM procession traveled through the parish streets accompanied by a marching band, amidst balconies draped in white, before the entrustment of the city to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
The secular program reached its peak on Saturday, May 9th, with the free concert by Andrea Sannino, which drew large crowds to the square, followed by a fireworks display. Throughout the festival, the district hosted a funfair, a local market, and food stalls, while the ninth edition of the «Corriamo Insieme» city marathon involved schools, athletes, and families. The celebrations continued until Wednesday, May 13th, the solemnity of the first apparition of the Madonna at Fatima, with Masses at 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 6:30 PM—the latter presided over by the diocesan bishop—followed by a final procession in the Sanctuary area.
Programme Fatima Festival 2026
Religious program
- Until May 10th — Solemn novena in preparation for the festival, with Rosary and daily Mass in the Diocesan Sanctuary.
- Friday, May 8th — Prayer vigil with the youth.
- Saturday, May 9th — Candlelight procession for the sick from the Sanctuary to the city hospital, with the entrustment of the sick to the Virgin.
- Sunday, May 10th — Holy Masses from early morning; 5:30 PM solemn procession through the parish streets with a marching band; followed by the entrustment of the city to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- Wednesday, May 13th — Solemnity of the first apparition: celebrations at 7:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 6:30 PM, the latter presided over by the bishop, followed by a procession in the Sanctuary area.
Secular program
- Saturday, May 9th — Concert by singer-songwriter Andrea Sannino on the festival stage, featuring his most famous hits.
- Fireworks display at the end of the main evenings.
- Funfair and local market throughout the festivities.
- Food stalls with typical Irpinian products.
- IX «Corriamo Insieme» city marathon, open to athletes, schools, and families.
Highlights Fatima Festival 2026
- The free concert by Andrea Sannino on Saturday, May 9th.
- The solemn procession on Sunday, May 10th, with the marching band and white-draped balconies.
- The entrustment of the city to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.
- The candlelight procession for the sick to the city hospital.
- The fireworks display over the Cardito district.
- The IX «Corriamo Insieme» marathon.
- The celebrations on May 13th, the solemnity of the first apparition.
Prices Fatima Festival 2026
Practical information — Fatima Festival
Location
Diocesan Sanctuary of Our Lady of Fatima, Piazza Madonna di Fatima, Cardito District, 83031 Ariano Irpino (AV). Religious celebrations take place in the Sanctuary, while the secular program is held in the square and along the district's streets.
How to get there
- By car: A16 Naples-Canosa motorway, exit at Grottaminarda, then take the SS90 road towards Ariano Irpino (approx. 15 km).
- By train: Ariano Irpino station on the Benevento-Foggia line, connected to the center by local buses.
- By plane: Naples-Capodichino Airport, approximately 110 km away.
Costs
Admission to religious celebrations and performances in the square is free. Only the funfair attractions, food stalls, and charity lottery tickets require payment.
Tips
On concert and procession nights, the Cardito district is closed to traffic: it is best to leave your car in the outer parking areas and proceed on foot. May evenings in Irpinia can be cool, so it is advisable to bring a light jacket.
Information
Madonna di Fatima Festival Committee — tel. +39 0825 871694 — [email protected]. Updates are available on the Committee and Sanctuary's Facebook pages.
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Where does it take place — Fatima Festival
Santuario Diocesano Madonna di Fatima - Rione Cardito
Piazza Madonna di Fatima, 83031 Ariano Irpino