Patronal Feast of Saint Bartholomew

The Patron Saint of the Gulf of Diano

The Patronal Feast of Saint Bartholomew is the most cherished event of the summer in San Bartolomeo al Mare, in the province of Imperia, in the heart of the Gulf of Diano. The celebrations, spread over an entire week in August, combine the religious dimension linked to the patron saint — the apostle Bartholomew — with the community celebration that involves the entire town.

The Night of the Little Lights

The emotional core of the feast is the Night of the Little Lights, an evening of rare charm that includes prayers for peace, the blessing of the sea, and the procession of the saint, accompanied by confraternities, associations, and the town band. The lights of the little lights along the promenade create an atmosphere that enchants families and children in particular.

A Celebration for the Entire Community

The program also includes the Patronal Ribotta, the popular feast with stalls and music, solemn masses, the patron's lunch, and a symphonic-operatic concert to conclude. The parish, the Municipality, the Pro Loco, the seaside establishments, sports associations, and volunteers all contribute to the success of the feast, in a collective mobilization that tells the identity of San Bartolomeo al Mare.