Patronal Feast of Saint Mark the Evangelist
April 25th: processions, brass bands, and fireworks in the Caserta town named after its patron saint
About Saint Mark Patronal Feast
The patron saint who gives the town its name
In San Marco Evangelista, in the province of Caserta, the patronal feast is no ordinary event: the saint being celebrated is the very same one who gives the town its name. Every April 25th, the community gathers around the figure of the Evangelist for a day that weaves together religious devotion, civic remembrance, and popular celebration. It is the time of year when the town, and specifically Piazza Gramsci, becomes the beating heart of collective life in this Campanian municipality.
Faith and memory: the dual meaning of April 25th
The liturgical feast of Saint Mark falls on the same day as Liberation Day, and in San Marco Evangelista, the two celebrations have always coexisted. The morning begins with the laying of a laurel wreath at the War Memorial in Piazza Gramsci, attended by the Mayor, the City Council, the Municipal Police, and civil and religious authorities, accompanied by the 'Città di Caserta' Marching Band. Shortly after, a solemn Mass is celebrated at the Chiesa Nuova, presided over in recent years by the Bishop of Caserta, Monsignor Pietro Lagnese.
The afternoon procession
The most anticipated moment is the solemn procession in the late afternoon, traditionally around 5:00 PM. The statue of the saint is carried on the shoulders of the faithful from the Chiesa Nuova through the town streets, followed by a long procession of devotees and marked by the rhythm of the band. It is a moment that literally brings traffic to a standstill: every year, the municipality issues an ordinance to close Piazza Gramsci, and Air Campania bus routes on the Caserta - San Nicola la Strada - San Marco Evangelista line are diverted along Via Vanore, Via Cento, Via Gentile, and Via dei Mille.
Evenings in Piazza Gramsci
Alongside the religious program, the Festivities Committee organizes a civil schedule each year that brings the evenings in Piazza Gramsci to life with free open-air concerts. The musical focus is on contemporary Neapolitan song and traditional Campanian folk music, featuring popular local artists: the 2026 edition saw performances by Fabiana Conti and Marco Calone, followed by Stany Roggiero with the Bottari della Cantica Popolare and Giusy Attanasio. Past editions have also included children's entertainment, cabaret, and DJ sets to appeal to all audiences.
- Free evening concerts in the square, no tickets required
- Folk music with the bottari and their traditional rural instruments
- Afternoon shows and games for families
Fireworks on Via Rampi
The grand finale is the fireworks display, which usually begins around 11:00 PM on Via Rampi: it is the signal that the festivities have come to an end and that the appointment is set for the following year. Families gather along the side streets and on balconies to watch the light show, creating one of the most iconic images of the festival.
San Marco Evangelista and the Terra di Lavoro
The town is part of the Caserta urban belt, in the Campanian plain historically known as Terra di Lavoro. For a town so close to the provincial capital, the patronal feast is a primary pillar of identity: it draws back those who have emigrated and attracts residents from neighboring towns, filling a village that otherwise lives largely on commuting to Caserta and Naples. Those visiting Campania in April can easily combine the festival with a trip to the Royal Palace of Caserta and the Belvedere of San Leucio, both just a few minutes away by car.
Saint Mark Patronal Feast — edition 2026
Three evenings of Campanian folk music
The 2026 program for the Patronal Feast of San Marco Evangelista focused heavily on contemporary Neapolitan song and Campanian folk music. On Friday, April 24th, the stage in Piazza Gramsci lit up at 9:00 PM with Fabiana Conti, followed at 10:30 PM by Marco Calone, who performed his most popular tracks before a packed square.
On Sunday, April 26th, the closing was entrusted first to Stany Roggiero and the Bottari della Cantica Popolare, who brought traditional rural instruments to the square at 9:00 PM, followed by Giusy Attanasio, who took the stage at 10:30 PM for the final event of the festivities.
The day of the patron saint
Saturday, April 25th, the saint's day, saw the usual blend of the Liberation Day commemoration at the War Memorial in Piazza Gramsci, the solemn Mass at the Chiesa Nuova, and the procession through the town streets accompanied by the 'Città di Caserta' Marching Band. In the evening, the fireworks display on Via Rampi symbolically closed the day.
Traffic and mobility
To allow the festival to take place, the municipality ordered the closure of Piazza Gramsci to vehicular traffic; Air Campania activated an alternative route for line 03 (Caserta - San Nicola la Strada - San Marco Evangelista), diverted via Via Vanore, Via Cento, Via Gentile, and Via dei Mille.
Programme Saint Mark Patronal Feast 2026
Friday, April 24th, 2026 - Piazza Gramsci
- 9:00 PM - Concert by Fabiana Conti
- 10:30 PM - Marco Calone with his most famous hits
Saturday, April 25th, 2026 - Saint Mark's Day
- Morning - Wreath-laying at the War Memorial in Piazza Gramsci for Liberation Day, with the 'Città di Caserta' Marching Band
- Morning - Solemn Mass at the Chiesa Nuova
- Afternoon - Solemn procession of the Patron Saint through the town streets, accompanied by the marching band
- Evening - Fireworks display on Via Rampi
Sunday, April 26th, 2026 - Piazza Gramsci
- 9:00 PM - Stany Roggiero and the Bottari della Cantica Popolare
- 10:30 PM - Giusy Attanasio closes the festivities
Piazza Gramsci remained closed to vehicular traffic for the entire duration of the event (municipal ordinance no. 24/2026).
Highlights Saint Mark Patronal Feast 2026
- Marco Calone and Giusy Attanasio, two highly popular voices of contemporary Neapolitan song, on the evening stages
- The Bottari della Cantica Popolare with Stany Roggiero: percussion using barrels, scythes, and vats from the Campanian rural tradition
- The April 25th procession with the 'Città di Caserta' Marching Band
- The evening fireworks display on Via Rampi
- The unique coincidence between the patronal feast and Liberation Day
Prices Saint Mark Patronal Feast 2026
Practical information — Saint Mark Patronal Feast
Getting there
By car: San Marco Evangelista is located just a few kilometers from the center of Caserta and is easily accessible from the local motorway exits. During the festivities, Piazza Gramsci is closed to traffic; it is advisable to park in the surrounding streets and continue on foot.
By bus: The Air Campania line 03 connects Caserta and San Nicola la Strada to San Marco Evangelista. On festival days, buses follow an alternative route (Via Vanore, Via Cento, Via Gentile, Via dei Mille): check the notices on the Air Campania website before traveling.
By train: The reference station is Caserta, well-connected to Naples and Rome, from where you can continue by bus or taxi.
Costs
All events are free and held outdoors: the procession, religious celebrations, concerts in Piazza Gramsci, and the fireworks display do not require tickets or reservations.
Tips
For evening concerts, it is best to arrive in the square at least half an hour before the start, as it fills up quickly. For the fireworks, the streets surrounding Via Rampi offer the best view. Local accommodation is limited; those arriving from afar will find more options in Caserta.
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Where does it take place — Saint Mark Patronal Feast
Piazza Gramsci e Chiesa Nuova
Piazza Gramsci, 81020 San Marco Evangelista