Patronal Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene
The patronal feast of Artena, blending faith, tradition, and music in the heart of the Prenestini Mountains
About Magdalene Feast
Artena's most cherished festival
The Patronal Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene is the most significant religious and secular event for the community of Artena, a medieval village perched in the Prenestini Mountains in the province of Rome, Lazio. Saint Mary Magdalene has been the town's patron saint since the 12th century, and her feast continues to draw residents and visitors from neighboring towns, confirming Artena's reputation as one of the most vibrant destinations in the Roman countryside during this time of year.
For nine days, the historic center—with its stepped, car-free alleys, a rarity that makes Artena unique among Lazio's villages—transforms into a sprawling stage. The festival is organized through the collaboration between the Asspi Artena association and the Parish of Saint Mary Magdalene, and it is entirely free and open to all.
A program between the sacred and the secular
The calendar blends religious observances with entertainment. The spiritual heart of the festival is July 22nd, the saint's liturgical day, featuring church services and the traditional procession through the village streets. Surrounding this date is a rich secular program designed for all ages:
- Live Artena: a concert series that brings the historic center to life on weekends;
- Cinema under the stars, as part of the popular "Cinema in Villa" series;
- theatrical performances and musical interludes;
- activities and workshops for children.
From the feast to the Palio delle Contrade
The Magdalene Feast is rooted in centuries-old tradition: a 1709 document confirms that as early as 1701, it was customary to hold a horse race (Palio) for the patron saint's feast. This historical memory gave rise to the famous Palio delle Contrade of Artena—formerly the Palio della Maddalena—which dates back to the 14th century and was revived in 1992. The village's ten districts compete in traditional games and historical pageants, keeping the bond between the community and its saint alive.
Attending the Patronal Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene means immersing yourself in the authentic soul of Artena and the Castelli Romani: a blend of devotion, conviviality, and historical memory that, every summer, restores the village to its ancient splendor.
Magdalene Feast — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Patronal Feast of Saint Mary Magdalene takes place in Artena from July 18 to 26, with the July 22nd liturgical day at its core. The program, free and open to all, is created through the close collaboration between Asspi Artena and the Parish of Saint Mary Magdalene, blending religion, tradition, and entertainment.
The Live Artena concert series will bring the historic center to life on the weekends of July 18-19 and July 25-26. Alongside live music, the schedule features cinema under the stars (as part of "Cinema in Villa"), theatrical performances, and numerous activities for children, in addition to religious services and the procession.
Programme Magdalene Feast 2026
Festival Schedule — July 18-26, 2026
The detailed program with times, artists, and locations will be published by the official channels of the Municipality of Artena and Asspi Artena closer to the event. The confirmed structure is as follows:
- Weekend July 18-19 — Live Artena: concerts and live music in the historic center;
- Tuesday, July 22 — Liturgical feast of the patron saint: church services and procession through the village streets;
- Weekend July 25-26 — Live Artena: second round of concerts in the historic center;
- Throughout the duration — Cinema under the stars ("Cinema in Villa" series), theatrical performances, musical moments, and activities for children.
The full concert line-up will be announced by the organizers in the days leading up to the event.
Highlights Magdalene Feast 2026
Prices Magdalene Feast 2026
Practical information — Magdalene Feast
How to get there
Artena is located in the province of Rome, between the Prenestini Mountains and the Castelli Romani. By car: take the A1 motorway to the Valmontone exit, then follow signs for Artena; from Rome, it is about 45 km along the Via Casilina (SS6). By train: Artena station is on the Rome-Cassino line, connected to the center by local buses.
Admission and services
All festival events are free. The historic center is a limited traffic zone and largely pedestrian, with stepped alleys: comfortable shoes are recommended. Ample parking is available in the lower part of the town.
When
The festival takes place in July, around the 22nd (the patron saint's liturgical day). For the detailed, updated program, it is best to check the official channels of the Municipality of Artena and the Pro Loco.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
5 photos max, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Noticed an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Every proposal is verified by our team before publication.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Where does it take place — Magdalene Feast
Centro storico di Artena