Patronal Feast Days - Maria SS. Assunta and San Rocco

The Patronal Feast Days of Collelongo

Every year, in the heart of the Marsica summer, the town of Collelongo (L'Aquila province, Abruzzo) pays homage to its two patron saints with the Patronal Feast Days dedicated to Maria SS. Assunta and San Rocco. For four days, from August 14th to 17th, the mountain village at the foot of the Marsica region pauses its daily routine, filling with worshippers, visitors, and those emigrated locals who choose these very days to return to their roots.

Faith and Popular Devotion

The core of the event remains deeply religious. August 15th, the Solemnity of the Assumption, and August 16th, the day of San Rocco, mark the calendar with Holy Masses celebrated in the village churches, including the Church of Santa Maria Nuova and the Church of San Rocco. Processions featuring the statues of the patron saints wind through the streets of the historic center, accompanied by the faithful and the notes of the brass band, in an atmosphere of intense community participation rooted in traditions passed down through generations.

Festivities in the Square

Alongside the sacred rites, the evenings ignite with grand brass band concerts in Piazza della Chiesa, open-air performances, music, and illuminations that light up the village. Fireworks are a highlight, coloring the night sky of Collelongo. August 17th is traditionally dedicated to the Emigrant's Feast (or homecoming festival), featuring a thanksgiving Mass, the final procession, and the charity lottery drawing, usually held in Piazza Ara dei Santi.

A Defining Event for the Marsica Region

The Patronal Feast Days are organized by the Collelongo Patronal Feast Committee - SS. Maria Assunta and San Rocco, composed of local citizens who renew their commitment every year to manage fundraising and organize the entire program. For the 2026 edition, the Committee has already launched its initiatives, from the banner campaign dedicated to the patron saints to the summer events leading up to the festival. More than just a simple recurrence, the August festival represents a powerful moment of identity for the entire Collelongo community and the many worshippers from the Marsica region who attend.