Maio Festival (Patronal Feast of Saint Stephen)

The 2025 Maio Festival in Baiano

On December 25, 2025, the community of Baiano, in the province of Avellino, renewed the tree ritual dedicated to Saint Stephen. The program released for the day included the gathering of the maiolari at 8:00 AM and the departure for the transport of the maio from the woods to the town center, the blessing of the tree with a solemn mass in honor of the patron saint at 11:30 AM, the raising of the trunk in the main square at 3:00 PM accompanied by folk music and choirs, and the distribution of Christmas sweets, mulled wine, and local products along the town streets at 6:00 PM, among craft stalls and food stands.

The festival had been prepared, as per tradition, starting from December 13th with the mess'e notte celebrated at dawn, and concluded on December 26th with the procession of the statue of Saint Stephen the Protomartyr through the historic center.

In the same year, Baiano had already celebrated the patron saint in the summer: the patronal festivities took place from July 30th to August 4th, 2025, with a preparatory triduum, the cult of the 'battenti', a solemn procession, illuminations, band concerts, and a concert by Gianni Fiorellino on August 4th.