Patronal Feast of Saint John the Evangelist (Festa dei Gigli of Mariglianella)

A patronal feast in the heart of the Nola area

Mariglianella is a small town of just over seven thousand inhabitants in the Metropolitan City of Naples, in Campania, located about twenty kilometers northeast of the regional capital, nestled between Marigliano and Brusciano. In a densely populated territory where the boundaries between towns are almost imperceptible, the feast of the patron saint remains the moment when the community recognizes itself and tells its story. The patron saint is Saint John the Evangelist, to whom the parish church on Via Parrocchia is dedicated, and the civil celebrations are traditionally concentrated in the second half of September, when summer draws to a close and the town comes back to life.

The Ballata dei Gigli: Fantasia, Popolo, and Taverne

The identity-defining heart of the festival is the Festa dei Gigli. Mariglianella belongs to the galaxy of towns in the Nola area—Nola, Brusciano, Marigliano, Cimitile, Crispano—that share the tradition of shoulder-carried wooden obelisks. In Mariglianella, the obelisks that take to the streets bear names now familiar to everyone in town: Fantasia, Popolo, and Taverne. In smaller editions, only two gigli have appeared, while in the richer ones, all three have been featured.

The ballata (dance) is the most awaited moment: the paranza, the team of carriers, lifts the structure and makes it move to the rhythm of music along the streets of the center, with maneuvers, turns, and stops that the public follows with great participation. It is not a simple parade, but a collective test of strength, coordination, and belonging, handed down from generation to generation. The so-called "Mariglianella paranza" is known even beyond the municipal borders and regularly participates in the festivals of neighboring towns, starting with Brusciano.

The religious dimension

Alongside the spectacular part, the devotional aspect remains central, promoted by the parish community. The procession with the statue of Saint John the Evangelist travels through the town streets accompanied by the faithful, banners bearing the images of the patron saint and the Madonna dell'Arco, civil authorities with the tricolor sash, and the local brass band. The parish, led in recent years by Father Ginetto De Simone, opens and closes the festivities with liturgical celebrations. It should be remembered that the liturgical calendar places Saint John the Evangelist on December 27th, immediately after Christmas and Saint Stephen's Day: on that date, a second, more intimate winter procession is held in Mariglianella, while the civil festivities with the gigli and shows remain the September appointment.

Concerts and shows in Via Napoli and Piazza Municipio

For some years now, the municipal administration has complemented the religious part with a program of free shows set up on stages in Piazza Municipio and Via Napoli. In 2024, the festival spanned four evenings, from September 14th to 17th, featuring Francesco Procopio, the flag-wavers' parade, Gianni Mobilya with the Tammurriata Band, comedian Paolo Caiazzo, Enzo Avitabile with the Bottari and the Black Tarantella Band, and the "Remember 90" musical format.

In 2025, the double appointment on September 20th and 21st concluded the municipal festival "Mariglianella Cresce," promoted by Mayor Arcangelo Russo and the Councilor for Sport and Entertainment Felice Porcaro: on Saturday, September 20th, the group Sfessania with Emidio Ausiello opened the evening dedicated to the comedy duo Arteteca with their show "Senza Filtri," while Sunday, September 21st, featured Gianni Fiorellino with his "Vai Tour." Both evenings, at 9:00 PM on Via Napoli, were free to attend.

What to expect

• The procession of the patron saint through the town streets, with the brass band.
• The exit and the ballata dei gigli (dance of the lilies) Fantasia, Popolo, and Taverne, the most iconic moment of the festival.
• Evenings of Neapolitan music, comedy, and popular entertainment, free of charge, in Piazza Municipio and Via Napoli.
• An authentic village festival atmosphere, with families out in the streets until late at night.

The 2026 edition

At the time of writing this entry (July 2026), the Municipality of Mariglianella and the parish have not yet released the dates and program for the 2026 edition: this is completely normal for a late-summer event, which in Mariglianella is usually announced only a few weeks in advance. Those who wish to participate can follow the channels of the Municipality and the Saint John the Evangelist Parish, as well as the local press of the Nola area, where the program is promptly published close to the festival.