Patronal Feast in honor of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
Two weeks of devotion, brass bands, and fireworks at the gates of Rome
About Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
A festival lasting over two weeks
The Patronal Feast in honor of Saints Vincent and Anastasius is the defining event for Rignano Flaminio, a municipality in the Metropolitan City of Rome, located in northern Lazio along the ancient Via Flaminia. This is not just a single day of celebration: the calendar begins on January 17th with the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot and concludes only with the Sunday of the octave, at the end of January or early February. In between, the town alternates between moments of deep religious devotion and occasions for pure popular entertainment.
The bonfire of Saint Anthony the Abbot
The signal to begin is the lighting of the traditional bonfire in Piazza della Repubblica at dawn on January 17th. It is an ancient agricultural rite, linked to the protection of domestic animals and farm work, which survives intact throughout the Faliscan area. In the afternoon, the statue of the saint reaches the bonfire in a procession starting from the Church of Saints Vincent and Anastasius, and the blessing is accompanied by the "La Velocissima" Folkloristic Band. As dusk falls, the first fireworks and the release of lanterns illuminate the sky over the historic center.
Processions and relics
In the following days, the relics of the two martyr saints travel through the municipal area. Particularly evocative is the procession descending from the hamlet of Montelarco, where the Church of Santa Maria della Pace stands, accompanied by the "B. Severini" Musical Band of Faleria. Local confraternities parade in their traditional attire, while the streets of the village are decorated for the occasion.
January 22nd, the day of the solemnity
The highlight is the solemnity of Saints Vincent and Anastasius on January 22nd. In the morning, a solemn Eucharist is celebrated in the Church of San Giuseppe with the parish choir and the gathered confraternities; in recent years, it has been presided over by the diocesan bishop. In the afternoon, the grand procession winds through the streets of the town, followed by a tribute from the Fanfare of the Carabinieri Student Legion of Rome and an evening band concert. It is the day when the entire Rignano community, along with emigrants returning for the occasion, gathers together.
Music, theater, and popular games
Alongside the liturgical dimension, the program reserves plenty of space for culture and leisure. The Paladino Municipal Theater hosts family shows and productions by the local company; there is no shortage of chess and card tournaments, popular games in the square, and performances by flag-wavers and dance schools. Brass bands from the surrounding area parade through the streets multiple times, turning the center into a widespread stage. In some editions, a musical oratorio is also performed in the Church of San Giuseppe.
The grand finale of the octave
The closing, on the Sunday of the octave, repeats in grand style: morning masses, a procession to the Monument to the Saints, an afternoon of games and music with folkloristic bands, and at dusk, the grand firework display curated by master pyrotechnicians, along with the release of a hot-air balloon and flying lanterns carrying messages written by the townspeople.
Why visit
- An authentic, non-touristy patronal feast less than an hour from Rome
- Free admission to all events
- The fire of Saint Anthony, one of the most characteristic winter rites in Lazio
- Two high-level firework displays during the same festival
- The brass band tradition of northern Lazio, featuring historic local ensembles
Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius — edition 2026
The 2026 edition
The 2026 calendar confirmed the traditional structure of the festival, spread over more than two weeks in the historic center of Rignano Flaminio, in the Metropolitan City of Rome. The program was announced at the beginning of January by the Municipality and the Pro Loco, with all events being free.
The opening, on Saturday, January 17th, coincided with the feast of Saint Anthony the Abbot and the lighting of the traditional fire in Piazza della Repubblica. The solemnity of January 22nd featured the solemn Eucharist in the Church of San Giuseppe and the grand afternoon procession, with a tribute from the Fanfare of the Carabinieri Student Legion of Rome. The closing of the octave, on Sunday, February 1st, brought the town together for an afternoon of games and music and the grand evening firework display.
Programme Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius 2026
Saturday, January 17th — Saint Anthony the Abbot
- At dawn: lighting of the traditional bonfire in Piazza della Repubblica
- 8:00 AM: Holy Mass in the Church of the Pietà
- 3:45 PM: Procession from the Church of Saints Vincent and Anastasius with the statue of the saint to the bonfire
- 4:00 PM: Blessing and performance by the "La Velocissima" Folkloristic Band
- 6:00 PM: Fireworks and lantern release
Sunday, January 18th
- 11:45 AM: Procession from Montelarco with the relics, accompanied by the "B. Severini" Musical Band of Faleria
- 4:00 PM: Family theater show at the Paladino Municipal Theater
Wednesday, January 21st
- 3:45 PM: Parade through the town streets by the "Brasilino Severini" Band
- In the evening: Procession and exhibition of the relics in the Church of San Giuseppe
- 7:00 PM: Release of lanterns and the hot-air balloon
Thursday, January 22nd — Solemnity of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
- 11:00 AM: Solemn Eucharist in the Church of San Giuseppe with the choir and confraternities
- In the afternoon: Procession through the town center
- 5:00 PM: Tribute from the Fanfare of the Carabinieri Student Legion of Rome
- 6:00 PM: Band concert in the Church of San Giuseppe
Sunday, January 25th
- 6:30 PM: Musical oratorio "Come una cerva anela…" in the Church of San Giuseppe
Sunday, February 1st — Octave of the festivities
- In the morning: Holy Masses and procession to the Monument to the Saints
- 3:30 PM: Popular games, music, and performances by folkloristic bands
- 5:45 PM: Grand firework display, release of the hot-air balloon and flying lanterns
Highlights Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius 2026
- The bonfire of Saint Anthony the Abbot lit at dawn on January 17th in Piazza della Repubblica
- The procession of relics from Montelarco with the "B. Severini" Band of Faleria
- The solemn Eucharist of January 22nd in the Church of San Giuseppe
- The tribute from the Fanfare of the Carabinieri Student Legion of Rome
- The musical oratorio "Come una cerva anela…" on January 25th
- The grand finale of the octave, with fireworks, hot-air balloon, and flying lanterns
Prices Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius 2026
Practical information — Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
How to get there
By car from Rome: Via Flaminia (SS3) or A1 motorway, Magliano Sabina exit, about 45 km from the Grande Raccordo Anulare. By train: FL3 Rome-Viterbo line, Rignano Flaminio station, with a walking connection or bus to the historic center. Nearest airports: Rome Fiumicino and Rome Ciampino.
Costs
All scheduled events are free and open to the public.
Tips
The events take place in the middle of winter and are largely outdoors: warm clothing and comfortable shoes are essential. On January 17th, 22nd, and the day of the octave, the historic center is closed to traffic; it is advisable to park in the outer areas and continue on foot. For the updated program, it is recommended to check the Municipality's website or the Pro Loco social media channels.
Information
Municipality of Rignano Flaminio, Piazza IV Novembre 1 — phone +39 0761 59791. Pro Loco Rignano Flaminio: prolocorignano.it
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Where does it take place — Feast of Saints Vincent and Anastasius
Centro storico, Piazza della Repubblica e Chiesa di San Giuseppe
Piazza IV Novembre 1, 00068 Rignano Flaminio