Patronal Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel
Four days of devotion, music, and the Flight of the Angels at the foot of Mount Vesuvius
About Saint Michael Feast
A devotion that defines the town
The Patronal Feast of Saint Michael the Archangel is the most cherished event of the year in Ottaviano, a Vesuvian town in the Metropolitan City of Naples, in Campania. Nestled on the slopes of Mount Vesuvius and overlooking the National Park, the town gathers around its protector for four days that blend liturgy, folk music, gastronomy, and collective memory. The Mother Church dedicated to the Archangel, the Palazzo Mediceo, and the four historic squares become the natural stage for a festival that involves the entire community, from brotherhoods to neighborhood associations.
The Flight of the Angels, the most emotional moment
The heart of the festival is the Flight of the Angels, a unique sacred performance. During the solemn procession, two children dressed as angels are suspended by a rope and "fly" beside the patron saint's statue, singing an ancient hymn of glory to the Archangel. The rite is repeated in the four main squares of the town and attracts hundreds of spectators every year, many of whom arrive from neighboring Vesuvian municipalities. In 2025, the organizers brought the large statue of the Archangel back to the streets, which had long been abandoned in favor of the smaller, more manageable one: a return to old customs that moved the town and marked one of the most attended editions in recent years.
May 8th, the most intense day
The patronal date is May 8th, which remains the pivot of the entire calendar. The day begins at 6 AM with the sound of the Sacri Bronzi (Sacred Bronzes), the bells that wake the population and announce the start of the feast day; at 7 AM, the traditional Diana is fired, accompanied by a fireworks display. At 11 AM, the solemn mass in honor of the patron is celebrated, at noon the Supplication to the Madonna of Pompeii is recited, and in the early afternoon, the procession with brotherhoods, civil and religious authorities, and marching bands begins, crossing the town until evening.
Music, cabaret, and shows in Piazza Municipio
Alongside the religious program, the festival offers a secular schedule every evening that enlivens Piazza Municipio: band concerts, pop music nights, cabaret, and nationally renowned guests. Over the years, artists well-known to the public in Campania and beyond have taken the stage, while the 2026 edition featured, among others, Erminio Sinni, Luca Sepe, and Franco Ricciardi, with the "Naples under the stars" orchestra. The closing is entrusted to the traditional burning of the bell tower at midnight, a pyrotechnic finale that bids farewell to the saint until the following year.
Taverns, DiVino trail, and Vesuvian products
The gastronomic dimension is an integral part of the festival. In the evenings, taverns set up by parishes and associations open, where one can taste traditional Vesuvian dishes, while the DiVino Trail in the municipal cloister offers tastings of local wines. In addition to the stalls selling typical products and crafts, the artistic illuminations are lit along the streets of the center at the opening of the festivities, remaining one of the most recognizable symbols of the festival.
Exhibitions, fashion, and the opening of Palazzo Mediceo
In recent years, the program has been enriched with cultural events that enhance the town's heritage: the photo exhibition "1999-1899: a century of images of the Saint Michael procession" set up at the Casino d'Unione Scudieri, fashion shows curated by designer Mimmo Tuccillo, historical conferences hosted in the Palazzo Mediceo (opened to the public specifically for the festival), and tours of the old town in an Ape Calessino. For many visitors, it is the easiest opportunity to discover the historic center of Ottaviano beyond just the day of the procession.
A festival to be experienced in the square
Those arriving for the first time will find an authentic town festival, not built for tourism: the streets fill up from the afternoon, balconies are decorated, and families follow the statue from square to square. The advice is to arrive early on May 8th to find a spot along the procession route to witness the Flight of the Angels, and to reserve at least one evening for the musical program and the taverns. Ottaviano is also an excellent base for a day on Mount Vesuvius and in the National Park, just a few kilometers from the center.
Saint Michael Feast — edition 2026
Saint Michael Feast 2026 in Ottaviano
From May 7th to 10th, 2026, Ottaviano celebrated its patron saint with a particularly rich program, coordinated by Commissioner Roberto Esposito together with the L'Arcangelo Michele Association chaired by Domenico Cutolo, the Scudieri Foundation, and the Pro Loco Medicea.
The opening on Thursday the 7th combined the concert of the "Città di Ailano" band, the fashion event "La moda si veste di Pace" (Fashion dresses in Peace) at Palazzo Annunziata, a conference on Saint Michael in Lombard coinage at the Palazzo Mediceo, the lighting of the artistic illuminations, the inauguration of the photo exhibition at the Casino d'Unione Scudieri, and the evening with cabaret by Alessandro Bolide followed by Erminio Sinni.
Friday the 8th, the patronal day, was the most intense: the Sacred Bronzes at 6 AM, the Diana at 7 AM with a fireworks display, the solemn mass, the Supplication to the Madonna of Pompeii, and, at 1 PM, the procession with the Flight of the Angels in the four main squares. In the evening, taverns with typical products and the band concert.
Saturday the 9th featured mass with a panegyric, Ape Calessino tours, inflatable games for children, the new fashion show, and the evening with the "Naples under the stars" orchestra and the Luca Sepe show. Sunday the 10th saw the closing with the concert by Franco Ricciardi and the burning of the bell tower at midnight.
Programme Saint Michael Feast 2026
Thursday, May 7th, 2026
- 9:30 AM - Concert by the "Città di Ailano" band at the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel
- 11:00 AM - Musical parade towards Piazza Municipio
- 5:00 PM - Fashion event "La moda si veste di Pace", Palazzo Annunziata (via Municipio 37)
- 6:00 PM - Conference "Saint Michael the Archangel in Lombard coinage", Palazzo Mediceo
- 7:00 PM - Band concert and awards ceremony for the "Ottaviano in Love" contest
- 7:30 PM - Lighting of the artistic illuminations
- 8:00 PM - Inauguration of the photo exhibition "1999-1899: a century of images of the Saint Michael procession", Casino d'Unione Scudieri
- 9:00 PM - "DiVino Trail" tasting in the Municipal Cloister
- 9:00 PM - Cabaret with Alessandro Bolide, followed by Erminio Sinni in concert
Friday, May 8th, 2026 - Patronal Day
- 6:00 AM - Sound of the Sacred Bronzes: bells wake the population
- 7:00 AM - Firing of the traditional Diana with fireworks display
- 11:00 AM - Solemn Holy Mass in honor of the patron
- 12:00 PM - Supplication to the Madonna of Pompeii
- 1:00 PM - Solemn procession in the four main squares with the Flight of the Angels
- 9:00 PM - Taverns with tastings of typical products (Saint Francis of Paola Parish)
- 9:00 PM - Classical music concert by the "Città di Ailano" band
Saturday, May 9th, 2026
- 11:00 AM - Holy Mass with panegyric at the Church of Saint Michael the Archangel
- 3:00 PM - Tour of the historic village in Ape Calessino by the Ottomaggio Association
- 3:00 PM - Inflatable games for children in Piazza San Michele
- 5:00 PM - Fashion event "La moda si veste di Pace", Palazzo Annunziata
- 9:00 PM - Pop music evening with the "Naples under the stars" orchestra, followed by the Luca Sepe show
Sunday, May 10th, 2026
- 11:00 AM - Inflatable games for children
- 5:00 PM - Fashion event "La moda si veste di Pace", Palazzo Annunziata
- 9:30 PM - Pop music evening with Franco Ricciardi in concert
- Midnight - Burning of the bell tower: closing of the festivities
Highlights Saint Michael Feast 2026
- Flight of the Angels in the four main squares during the May 8th procession
- Sound of the Sacred Bronzes at 6 AM and firing of the Diana at 7 AM
- Concert by Franco Ricciardi on the final evening
- Erminio Sinni, cabaret by Alessandro Bolide, and the Luca Sepe show in Piazza Municipio
- Photo exhibition "1999-1899: a century of images of the Saint Michael procession"
- "DiVino Trail" tasting in the Municipal Cloister and taverns with typical products
- Historical conference and opening of the Palazzo Mediceo
- Burning of the bell tower at midnight on May 10th
Prices Saint Michael Feast 2026
Practical information — Saint Michael Feast
How to get there
By train: Ottaviano is served by the EAV Circumvesuviana line Naples - Ottaviano - Sarno (line L6), with departures from Naples Porta Nolana and Naples Garibaldi; the station is a short walk from the center. Updated timetables on eavsrl.it.
By car: Take the exits from the A30 Caserta-Salerno or the A3 Naples-Salerno, then follow provincial roads toward the Vesuvian area. During the days of the procession, the center is closed to traffic: it is best to park in peripheral areas and continue on foot.
Prices
Religious rites, the procession, and shows in Piazza Municipio take place in public spaces with free admission. Taverns, tastings, and guided tours may require a contribution: it is advisable to check on-site or on the organizers' channels.
Tips
- May 8th is the highlight day: arrive early to follow the procession and the Flight of the Angels.
- Evenings in the square usually begin around 9 PM and continue until late at night.
- For the detailed program of each edition, refer to the social channels "Ottajano Feste" and the Municipality of Ottaviano.
- Ottaviano is located less than 30 km from Naples and a few kilometers from the Vesuvius National Park: it is easy to combine the festival with a visit to the crater.
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Where does it take place — Saint Michael Feast
Centro storico, Chiesa di San Michele Arcangelo e Piazza Municipio
Piazza Municipio, 80044 Ottaviano