Patronal Feast of Saint Peter the Apostle
Ten days of faith, tradition, and music in honor of the patron saint of Portico di Caserta
About Saint Peter's Feast
The patronal feast of Portico di Caserta
The Patronal Feast of Saint Peter the Apostle is the most cherished event of the year in Portico di Caserta, a small town on the Caserta plain in Campania, just a few kilometers from the provincial capital. Around the date of June 29th, the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the entire community comes together for days of celebrations that unite the religious and civic dimensions, with the town decorated for the occasion, illuminations along the main streets, and Piazza Rimembranza transformed into an open-air stage.
A return to the roots
In the 2026 edition, the festivities were intentionally brought back to their roots: the focus of the program returned to religious and community moments, without sacrificing musical events and initiatives open to all citizens. This choice restored the festival's most authentic character as a collective ritual, where the participation of the faithful, associations, and families counts more than the spectacle itself.
The religious program
The calendar opens with the novena in honor of Saint Peter the Apostle, accompanied by the daily recitation of the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic celebrations in the parish church. There is also a path of adoration "in the footsteps of Saint Peter," designed to guide the community toward the day of the feast. A particularly anticipated moment is the Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Capua, during which the sacrament of Confirmation is administered to the parish youth.
The procession and the handing over of the city keys
The heart of the feast is the evening procession with the effigy of Saint Peter the Apostle, which travels through the town streets accompanied by the parish priest, altar servers, associations, and hundreds of the faithful. The route covers Via Luigi Antonio Piccirillo, Piazza Rimembranza, Via Armando Diaz, Via Roma, Via Fortunato Iodice, Via Principe di Piemonte, Via Trieste, Corso Vittoria, Via Trento, Viale Partenope, and Via Palmieri, before returning to the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle.
In Piazza Rimembranza, the most iconic gesture of the local tradition is renewed: the mayor symbolically hands over the keys of the city to the Patron Saint, an act that binds the religious and civic dimensions and represents the entrustment of the entire community to the protection of Saint Peter. In 2025, for the bicentenary of the city's consecration to the Saint, the keys were crafted in silver.
Music, shows, and fireworks
Alongside the religious rites, the program offers concerts and musical shows, pyrotechnic displays, and initiatives dedicated to children and families. Piazza Rimembranza has been the natural stage for the festival for years: in past editions, popular artists from the Neapolitan scene have performed there, including Alessio, Ivan Granatino, and Rosario Miraggio in 2024. The musical evenings are complemented by civic and cultural moments, such as the show curated by the students of the "San Giovanni Bosco" institute presented in 2026.
Who organizes the festival
- Saint Peter the Apostle Parish, for the entire liturgical program
- Municipality of Portico di Caserta, for civic and institutional aspects
- Pro Loco of Portico di Caserta and Club Napoli Diego, for the events and shows
Why it is worth attending
Those who arrive in Portico di Caserta during the feast will find one of the most genuine expressions of popular religious life in Campania: no mass tourism, but an entire town getting involved, amidst the scent of illuminations, market stalls, a brass band, and the nighttime return of the Saint to the church. It is also a great opportunity to combine a visit to the nearby Royal Palace of Caserta, a UNESCO World Heritage site just a few minutes away, and to discover the cuisine of the Caserta province, from buffalo mozzarella to traditional desserts.
Saint Peter's Feast — edition 2026
An edition returned to its roots
From June 20 to 29, 2026, Portico di Caserta celebrated its patron saint, Saint Peter the Apostle, with ten days of festivities built around the parish community. The liturgical program, curated by the Saint Peter the Apostle Parish led by Father Marcos Aparecido de Goes, alternated between the novena, recitation of the rosary, Eucharistic celebrations, and moments of adoration "in the footsteps of Saint Peter."
On Thursday, June 25, the Holy Mass was presided over by the Archbishop of Capua, Monsignor Pietro Lagnese, who administered the sacrament of Confirmation. On Saturday, June 27, the show by the students of the "San Giovanni Bosco" institute was performed, dedicated to the anniversaries of the Constitution and women's suffrage.
The Patron's Day
On Sunday, June 28, after the morning celebrations, the day came alive with the 7:00 PM Holy Mass and, at 8:00 PM, the procession with the effigy of Saint Peter the Apostle along Via Luigi Antonio Piccirillo, Piazza Rimembranza, Via Armando Diaz, Via Roma, Via Fortunato Iodice, Via Principe di Piemonte, Via Trieste, Corso Vittoria, Via Trento, Viale Partenope, and Via Palmieri, returning to the parish church. In Piazza Rimembranza, Mayor Cosimo Cristillo symbolically handed over the city keys to the Patron Saint. On Monday, June 29, the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, the 7:00 PM Eucharistic celebration and evening shows in the square concluded the festivities.
Programme Saint Peter's Feast 2026
June 20 - June 24
- Opening of the festivities and novena in honor of Saint Peter the Apostle
- Daily recitation of the Holy Rosary and Eucharistic celebrations in the parish church
- Moments of adoration "in the footsteps of Saint Peter"
June 25
- Holy Mass presided over by the Archbishop of Capua, Monsignor Pietro Lagnese, with the administration of the sacrament of Confirmation
June 27
- Show by the students of the "San Giovanni Bosco" institute dedicated to the anniversaries of the Italian Constitution and women's suffrage
June 28 - Highlight day
- Morning Eucharistic celebrations
- 7:00 PM: Solemn Holy Mass
- 8:00 PM: Procession with the effigy of Saint Peter the Apostle, accompanied by the parish priest, altar servers, associations, and the faithful
- Route: Via Luigi Antonio Piccirillo, Piazza Rimembranza, Via Armando Diaz, Via Roma, Via Fortunato Iodice, Via Principe di Piemonte, Via Trieste, Corso Vittoria, Via Trento, Viale Partenope, Via Palmieri, and return to the Church of Saint Peter the Apostle
- In Piazza Rimembranza: Symbolic handing over of the city keys to the Patron by Mayor Cosimo Cristillo
June 29 - Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
- 7:00 PM: Concluding Eucharistic celebration
- In the evening: Shows in Piazza Rimembranza
The program also included concerts and musical shows, pyrotechnic displays, and initiatives dedicated to children and families, with the collaboration of the Pro Loco of Portico di Caserta and the Club Napoli Diego.
Highlights Saint Peter's Feast 2026
- The symbolic handing over of the city keys to Saint Peter in Piazza Rimembranza
- The evening procession on Sunday, June 28, through the town streets
- The Mass with Confirmations presided over by the Archbishop of Capua, Monsignor Pietro Lagnese
- The show by the students of the "San Giovanni Bosco" institute on June 27
- The evening shows and fireworks on June 29, the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul
Prices Saint Peter's Feast 2026
Practical information — Saint Peter's Feast
How to get there
Portico di Caserta is located a few kilometers from Caserta, on the plain north of Naples. By car, it can be reached from the A1 motorway (Caserta area exits) and the provincial roads connecting Caserta to Marcianise and Aversa. The reference railway station is Caserta, well-connected to Naples, from where you can continue by taxi or local bus services.
Admission and costs
Religious celebrations, the procession, and shows in Piazza Rimembranza are free of charge.
Useful tips
- On the evening of the main day, the center is closed to traffic along the procession route: it is advisable to arrive early and park in the peripheral streets.
- The evenings in the square go on until late: bring water and light clothing, as the late June climate in Campania is hot and humid.
- For final schedules, it is best to consult the notices from the Saint Peter the Apostle Parish and the Municipality of Portico di Caserta.
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Where does it take place — Saint Peter's Feast
Chiesa di San Pietro Apostolo e Piazza Rimembranza
Piazza Rimembranza, 81050 Portico di Caserta