Patronal Feast of Maria SS. Incoronata
Celebrating the patron saint of Apricena with devotion, artistic illuminations, fireworks, and major free concerts.
About Apricena Patronal Feast
Apricena's most cherished celebration
The Patronal Feast in honor of Maria Santissima Incoronata is the most anticipated event of the year in Apricena, a town in the Province of Foggia nestled at the foot of the Gargano, in the heart of the Apulian Daunia. For several days between late May and early June, the entire community gathers around its patron saint in a festival that weaves together faith, tradition, and entertainment, involving the historic center, the main squares, and the local Sanctuary.
Devotion and tradition
The Madonna Incoronata is venerated alongside the secondary patrons Saint Michael the Archangel and Saint Martin. The festivities begin on the last Saturday of April, when the statue is moved from the Sanctuary to the Mother Church of Saints Martin and Lucia, where it remains for public veneration until the feast days. The solemn days are marked by Holy Masses, the Holy Rosary led by the Festival Committee, and processions through the town streets, accompanied by the town band and local authorities.
Illuminations, bands, and fireworks
In keeping with the best traditions of Southern Italian patronal feasts, Apricena dresses up with artistic light displays, bandstands for musical performances, and, above all, grand pyrotechnic shows: daytime fireworks to open each day, evening pyromusical displays, and thunderous finales that light up the Daunian sky. The town center hosts exhibitions, markets, food stalls with local products, and entertainment for families and children.
Major free concerts
A distinctive feature of the Apricena feast is its ability to bring top-tier Italian music artists to the stage, with all concerts being free of charge. The main stage is Viale Aldo Moro, which has hosted well-known national names over the years, while other squares host opera concerts, tribute bands, and street performances until late at night.
The final ritual: 'U Foc du Pont'
The most moving moment is the return of the statue to the Sanctuary on the final evening: the statue of Maria SS. Incoronata is transported on an agricultural vehicle, following an ancient devotion of Apricena's farmers, while the community accompanies the procession with prayers and emotion. Upon its arrival, the characteristic lighting of 'U Foc du Pont'—a traditional bonfire—seals the feast and the deep bond between Apricena and its patron saint.
Apricena Patronal Feast — edition 2026
The 2026 Patronal Feast of Apricena animated the Daunian town from May 27 to June 1, preceded on April 25 by the transfer of the statue of Maria SS. Incoronata from the Sanctuary to the Mother Church. The program alternated moments of intense devotion, with solemn Holy Masses and processions through the town streets, with a rich calendar of shows: band concerts by the 'Città di Cupello' Band, an opera concert by the 'Città di San Paolo di Civitate' Wind Orchestra, painting and photography exhibitions, and numerous pyrotechnic and pyromusical shows. The heart of the festival was the major free concert on Viale Aldo Moro and the evocative final ritual on June 1, with the transport of the statue on an agricultural vehicle and the lighting of 'U Foc du Pont'.
Programme Apricena Patronal Feast 2026
Wednesday, May 27
- 20:30 — Zona Sacra Famiglia soccer field: final of the 22nd 'Maria SS. Incoronata' soccer tournament
Thursday, May 28
- 08:30 and 19:00 — Holy Masses
- 21:00 — Holy Rosary led by the Festival Committee
Friday, May 29
- 08:00 — Opening of the festival with fireworks
- 16:30 — Parade through the city by the 'Città di Cupello' Band
- 17:30 — Procession of authorities from the Town Hall to the Mother Church
- 18:00 — Solemn Holy Mass
- 19:00 — Procession with the statue of Maria SS. Incoronata
- 19:30 — Naming and blessing of 'Piazza San Michele Arcangelo'
- 20:00 — Via Vostok: pyromusical show
- 23:30 — Via G. Di Vittorio: fireworks display
Saturday, May 30
- 08:00 — Opening with fireworks
- 17:00 — Madrepietra Stadium: 'Match for the Heart' (proceeds donated to Caritas)
- 19:00 — Piazza della Repubblica: painting and photography exhibition 'Atmosphere of Light and Colors'
- 19:00 — Piazza dei Mille: opera concert by the 'Città di San Paolo di Civitate' Wind Orchestra
- 21:00 — Viale Aldo Moro: concert by Rkomi (local press also announced singer Gaia)
- 23:30 — Via S. Nazario: fireworks display
- 24:00 — Piazza San Francesco: 'Sancta' disco event
Sunday, May 31
- 08:30 and 10:00 — Solemn Holy Masses
- 10:00 — Procession of the statue of the Madonna Incoronata and the Patron Saints
- 13:00 — Pyromusical show with colors
- 21:00 — Piazza Federico II: lottery draw and 'Whitney Celebration' concert with Emma O'Connor and the Veem Band (UK)
- 24:00 — Via S. Nazario: fireworks display
Monday, June 1
- 08:30 — Holy Mass
- 18:30 — Solemn Holy Mass presided over by the Bishop of San Severo and procession of the statue towards the Sanctuary
- 21:00 — Transport of the statue on an agricultural vehicle (devotion of Apricena's farmers)
- 21:30 — Lighting of 'U Foc du Pont'
- 22:30 — Fireworks display
- 23:00 — Arrival of Maria SS. Incoronata at the Sanctuary
- 24:00 — Piazza San Francesco: 'Napul'è, Italy's first Neapolitan Festival'
Highlights Apricena Patronal Feast 2026
Prices Apricena Patronal Feast 2026
Practical information — Apricena Patronal Feast
Where
The festivities take place in the historic center of Apricena (Province of Foggia, Puglia): Mother Church of Saints Martin and Lucia, Viale Aldo Moro, Piazza Federico II, Piazza dei Mille, Piazza della Repubblica, and the Sanctuary of Maria SS. Incoronata.
When
Between late May and early June, with the transfer of the statue from the Sanctuary to the Mother Church on the last Saturday of April.
How to get there
Apricena is accessible via the Poggio Imperiale-Apricena motorway exit (A14) and has a railway station on the Adriatic line. During the festival, the center is largely closed to traffic: parking on the outskirts is recommended.
Costs
All events, including concerts, are free to attend.
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Where does it take place — Apricena Patronal Feast
Centro storico di Apricena e Santuario di Maria SS. Incoronata
Chiesa Madre Santi Martino e Lucia, 71011 Apricena